Voice Rehabilitation after tongue cancer surgery: a cohort study in indian population

Tongue cancer significantly impacts speech and swallowing functions, necessitating comprehensive rehabilitation post-surgery. This study evaluates the rehabilitation outcomes of Indian patients who underwent tongue cancer surgery, focusing on speech therapy, nutritional support, and psychosocial interventions. A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022 at a tertiary care center in India. Fifty-five patients who underwent partial or hemi-glossectomy were enrolled. Baseline data, including demographic information, medical history, and nutritional status, were collected. Follow-up data on speech therapy outcomes, patient motivation, family support, voice quality, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were gathered at six months, one year, and two years post-surgery. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27. The study included 50 patients with a mean age of 52.3 ± 10.5 years, predominantly male (68%). The most common surgeries were partial glossectomies (70%). Significant improvements were observed in articulation clarity (baseline: 80 ± 10%; two years: 75 ± 11%, p = 0.001), phonetic placement (baseline: 4.5 ± 0.8; two years: 4.2 ± 0.8, p = 0.002), and compensatory strategies (baseline: 4.0 ± 1.0; two years: 3.8 ± 1.0, p = 0.004). Nutritional markers improved post-surgery: BMI (baseline: 23.0 ± 3.4; two years: 23.0 ± 3.1, p = 0.045), albumin (baseline: 3.7 ± 0.5; two years: 4.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.032), and haemoglobin (baseline: 13.2 ± 1.2; two years: 13.5 ± 1.1, p = 0.038). Regression analysis identified age (p = 0.012), motivation (p = 0.001), family support (p = 0.003), BMI (p = 0.025), and psychosocial support (p = 0.005) as significant predictors of rehabilitation success. Comprehensive rehabilitation, including tailored speech therapy, nutritional support, and psychosocial interventions, significantly improves outcomes for tongue cancer surgery patients. The findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, emphasizing the roles of motivation, family support, and early-stage cancer diagnosis in successful recovery.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04987-z.