Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence

Abstract Background Laryngeal cancer often leads to total laryngectomy (TL), which results in the loss of natural voice, necessitates voice rehabilitation and affects the individuals Quality of Life (QoL). Despite advancements in treatment, Voice-Related QoL (VRQoL) post TL remains a neglected area...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tatiana Pourliaka, Efcharis Panagopoulou, Vassiliki Siafaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-025-02334-6
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832585362287886336
author Tatiana Pourliaka
Efcharis Panagopoulou
Vassiliki Siafaka
author_facet Tatiana Pourliaka
Efcharis Panagopoulou
Vassiliki Siafaka
author_sort Tatiana Pourliaka
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Laryngeal cancer often leads to total laryngectomy (TL), which results in the loss of natural voice, necessitates voice rehabilitation and affects the individuals Quality of Life (QoL). Despite advancements in treatment, Voice-Related QoL (VRQoL) post TL remains a neglected area in the field of rehabilitation. This study seeks to fill this gap by evaluating though a scoping review the impacts of TL on patients’ voice-related QoL. Methods A scoping review was conducted to assess the impact of total laryngectomy (TL) on voice-related quality of life (VRQoL). The search was performed across various electronic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cohrane Library, Google scholar and Web of Science— using a broad set of keywords to capture studies addressing total laryngectomy and voice-related quality of life (VRQoL). Articles were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on studies that directly addressed TL and VRQoL outcomes. Results A total of eleven papers were finally selected to respond to the research question. The review indicates that TL significantly impacts VRQoL. Common issues included difficulties with communication in noisy environments, social interactions, anxiety about being understood, and physical challenges related to voice production. These difficulties were reflected in lower scores on various assessment tools. Patients reported declines in socio-emotional functioning and faced challenges in physical activities requiring voice use. Conclusions This scoping review highlights the profound impact of TL on patients’ voice-related QoL. Despite advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, patients continue to experience significant challenges in communication and social integration, which are crucial components of overall well-being. The persistent lower scores across various QoL assessment tools underscore the necessity for enhanced supportive care and innovative rehabilitation strategies tailored to the specific needs of this population.
format Article
id doaj-art-7c8d7efd34ca4110bb878a83353bbe68
institution Kabale University
issn 1477-7525
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
spelling doaj-art-7c8d7efd34ca4110bb878a83353bbe682025-01-26T12:53:34ZengBMCHealth and Quality of Life Outcomes1477-75252025-01-0123111410.1186/s12955-025-02334-6Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidenceTatiana Pourliaka0Efcharis Panagopoulou1Vassiliki Siafaka2Medical School, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiMedical School, Aristotle University of ThessalonikiDepartment of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of IoanninaAbstract Background Laryngeal cancer often leads to total laryngectomy (TL), which results in the loss of natural voice, necessitates voice rehabilitation and affects the individuals Quality of Life (QoL). Despite advancements in treatment, Voice-Related QoL (VRQoL) post TL remains a neglected area in the field of rehabilitation. This study seeks to fill this gap by evaluating though a scoping review the impacts of TL on patients’ voice-related QoL. Methods A scoping review was conducted to assess the impact of total laryngectomy (TL) on voice-related quality of life (VRQoL). The search was performed across various electronic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cohrane Library, Google scholar and Web of Science— using a broad set of keywords to capture studies addressing total laryngectomy and voice-related quality of life (VRQoL). Articles were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on studies that directly addressed TL and VRQoL outcomes. Results A total of eleven papers were finally selected to respond to the research question. The review indicates that TL significantly impacts VRQoL. Common issues included difficulties with communication in noisy environments, social interactions, anxiety about being understood, and physical challenges related to voice production. These difficulties were reflected in lower scores on various assessment tools. Patients reported declines in socio-emotional functioning and faced challenges in physical activities requiring voice use. Conclusions This scoping review highlights the profound impact of TL on patients’ voice-related QoL. Despite advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation methods, patients continue to experience significant challenges in communication and social integration, which are crucial components of overall well-being. The persistent lower scores across various QoL assessment tools underscore the necessity for enhanced supportive care and innovative rehabilitation strategies tailored to the specific needs of this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-025-02334-6Total laryngectomyVoice-related Quality of LifeLaryngeal cancerHypopharyngeal cancerHead and neck cancerTracheal-esophageal speech
spellingShingle Tatiana Pourliaka
Efcharis Panagopoulou
Vassiliki Siafaka
Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Total laryngectomy
Voice-related Quality of Life
Laryngeal cancer
Hypopharyngeal cancer
Head and neck cancer
Tracheal-esophageal speech
title Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
title_full Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
title_fullStr Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
title_full_unstemmed Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
title_short Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
title_sort voice related quality of life after total laryngectomy a scoping review of recent evidence
topic Total laryngectomy
Voice-related Quality of Life
Laryngeal cancer
Hypopharyngeal cancer
Head and neck cancer
Tracheal-esophageal speech
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-025-02334-6
work_keys_str_mv AT tatianapourliaka voicerelatedqualityoflifeaftertotallaryngectomyascopingreviewofrecentevidence
AT efcharispanagopoulou voicerelatedqualityoflifeaftertotallaryngectomyascopingreviewofrecentevidence
AT vassilikisiafaka voicerelatedqualityoflifeaftertotallaryngectomyascopingreviewofrecentevidence