Vocal changes in patients with prostate cancer following androgen ablation.
Hamdan Abdul-Latif,Jabbour Jad,Saadeh Rami,Kazan Ibrahim,Nassar Jihad,Bulbul Mohamad
Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
OBJECTIVE:To compare the prevalence of vocal symptoms and parameters in patients with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Thirty-two male patients aged 60-83 years were recruited for this study. The subjects were divided into two groups: one group consisted of 18 patients with prostate cancer treated with ADT using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and the other group consisted of 14 controls matched according to age. Demographic data included age, history of smoking, reflux, and duration of therapy. The reported phonatory symptoms were hoarseness, inability to project the voice, and vocal fatigue. Patients also underwent acoustic analysis, and the following acoustic variables were measured: fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and voice turbulence index. RESULTS:Compared with the control group, there was no statistical difference in any of the phonatory symptoms. The habitual pitch was significantly higher in the prostate cancer group compared with the controls (131.76 vs 114.11 Hz), with a P value of 0.021. There was also a significant increase in all the perturbation parameters, namely, relative average perturbation and shimmer, with a significant difference with respect to the latter (P value=0.014). There was also a significant increase in the noise-to-harmonic ratio (P value=0.014). CONCLUSION:The administration of ADT for patients with prostate cancer can affect the habitual pitch. However, there are no noticeable vocal changes reported by the patients.
10.1016/j.jvoice.2011.12.004
Vincristine-induced laryngeal nerve paralysis.
Delaney P
Neurology
The neurotoxicity of the Vinca alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine is well recognized. Less recognized is laryngeal nerve paralysis induced by these chemotherapeutic agents. This potentially dangerous paralysis is usually reversible when the drug is withdrawn, but other causes of hoarseness in a cancer patient must be considered. I add two cases to 19 previously documented.
10.1212/wnl.32.11.1285
Laryngeal Side Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
Ovnat Tamir Sharon,Gershnabel Milk Dafna,Roth Yehudah,Cinamon Udi,Winder Asher,Brenner Ronen,Katz Ariel,Marom Tal
Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
OBJECTIVES:Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are common targeted drugs, used in the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. These drugs present a multitude of potential adverse effects. Laryngeal manifestations, including laryngeal edema, secondary to TKIs treatment have not been well studied, despite their potential lethality. METHODS:This cross-sectional study included adult patients (>18 years) treated with TKIs who were followed in a secondary medical center and underwent a voluntary otolaryngological examination, which included laryngeal fiber-optic laryngoscopy (FOL). FOL was independently performed by two senior otolaryngologists, and results were recorded and evaluated by two grading systems, to assess the degree of laryngeal edema. In addition, medical files were reviewed, and data collected included past medical history, signs and symptoms, physical examination, laboratory results, treatment type, and duration. RESULTS:Sixteen patients, aged 68.2 ± 13.6 years, were examined during October 2014 to December 2014. Of them, three (19%) were males. Eleven (68%) patients presented with varying degrees of laryngeal edema. A significant correlation was found between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and laryngeal edema (P = 0.02). TKI treatment was stopped in one patient, because of symptomatic laryngeal edema, which completely resolved within 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS:Laryngeal edema was common in our study group. This edema was most often not life threatening. Yet, because of the potential severity of this side effect, we propose a routine FOL examination of patients before commencing TKI treatment and a reevaluation performed during treatment.
10.1016/j.jvoice.2015.07.006