Speech and Swallowing Disorders in Adolescent and Young Adults With Oral Cavity Cancer

To evaluate the speech and swallowing function and recovery status in adolescent and young adult (AYAs) patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC).

A cohort study was conducted in AYAs patients with OCC from August 2019 to April 2021. The swallowing and speech functions were evaluated by M.D. Anderson dysphagia inventory (MDADI), 10-item eating assessment tool (EAT-10) and speech handicap index (SHI) at pretreatment and postoperative stages. Multiple linear regression and linear mixed models were employed.

A total of 661 patients were enrolled, including 143 AYAs and 518 individuals aged ≥ 40. The preoperative total scores of MDADI, EAT-10, and SHI were worse in AYAs patients. AYAs patients with advanced T stage (T₃-T₄) before surgery exhibited worse scores for MDADI, EAT-10, and SHI. All patients presented the poorest outcomes within the initial 3 months postoperatively. However, a more rapid recovery trend of swallowing and speech function was demonstrated in the AYAs. Adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy, advanced T stage (T₃-T₄), tracheostomy, or flap reconstruction were key risk factors of impairing speech and swallowing functions in AYAs patients.

AYAs experience worse speech and swallowing function in the pretreatment stage and generally exhibit a higher potential for recovery.