Voice and swallowing implications in patients with tumors in their mediastinum

Abstract

Purpose: to verify voice and swallowing implications in patients diagnosed with tumors in the mediastinum. Methods: the study was carried out with 21 individuals aged between 18 and 60 years, with a diagnosis of tumors in their mediastinum. Data collection was performed at Oncology, OncoHematology and Thoracic Oncology Surgery ambulatory, and in the wards of the aforementioned clinics at an oncology reference hospital. The data was obtained by applying a questionnaire, and by evaluating voice and swallowing, using CAPE-V and O'Neil protocols, respectively. Results: there was a higher prevalence of females with mean age at 40 years. A higher prevalence of tumors in the anterior region of the mediastinum and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was found, however, Hodgkin's lymphomas presented worse results in all the parameters of the voice evaluation. Fourteen subjects presented some degree of dysphagia, ranging from mild to moderate. Conclusion: patients with tumors in the mediastinum have significant impairments in voice and swallowing functions, especially when they are located in the anterior mediastinal region and Hodgkin lymphomas.