Swallowing, Speech and Quality of Life of Patients With Carcinoma of the Oropharynx

Analysis of Swallowing, Speech and Quality of Life of Patients With Stage T3-T4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx Before and After Multimodal Treatment With Curative Intent

The curative treatment and organ preservation in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is multimodal. It involves induction chemotherapy and depending on the response radio-chemotherapy or surgery. The combination of these methods has important functional consequences.

The aim of this prospective pilot study is to describe swallowing, speech, but also patients' quality of life before and after therapeutic management (existing studies measuring these functions after treatment but not before).

This study will not change the patient's treatment. This will just be an evaluation, before any treatment, his ability to swallow, speak then, as in normal practice, after 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient with stage T3 or T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx previously untreated.
• Performance status 0 or 1
• Tumor histology proving squamous cell carcinoma

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visceral metastases at initial assessment
• Contraindication to surgery and / or chemotherapy such as:
• A history of other cancer (except basal cell carcinoma skin or cervical cancer in situ)
• 2nd associated cancer