Speech intelligibility in patients with oral cancer: An objective baseline evaluation of pretreatment function and impairment

Abstract

Background

This study seeks to identify those factors that influence the pre‐therapeutic speech intelligibility in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Method

A group of 172 patients (125 males, 47 females, mean age = 61 ± 11 a) with different OSCC stages ranging from T1 to T4 and N0 to N2 was examined for their speech intelligibility using a computerized measuring tool, and compared to a healthy reference group (30 males, 10 females, mean age = 59 ± 12 a).

Results

It was found that the pre‐therapeutic speech intelligibility in patients with OSCC is decreased when compared to a healthy collective. Two demographic factors that influence speech intelligibility could be identified: sex and age. It was determined that the only disease‐related factor that influences speech intelligibility before therapy is the location of the tumor.

Conclusion

The results of this study reveal that a preoperative speech intelligibility impairment in patients suffering from OSCC occurs independent of tumor stage, size of the tumor and infiltration status.

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