Abstract
Patients who have cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. Each treatment type may have a negative impact on posttreatment swallowing function; these effects are presented in this article. A number of rehabilitative procedures are available to the clinician to reduce or eliminate swallowing disorders in patients treated for cancer of the head and neck. The various procedures-including postures, maneuvers, modifications to bolus volume and viscosity, range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening exercises-and their efficacy in patients treated for head and neck cancer are discussed.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
-
Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
-
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
-
Deglutition Disorders / classification
-
Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
-
Deglutition Disorders / rehabilitation*
-
Deglutition* / drug effects
-
Deglutition* / radiation effects
-
Exercise Therapy*
-
Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
-
Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
-
Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
-
Humans
-
Laryngectomy / adverse effects
-
Postoperative Complications / classification
-
Postoperative Complications / rehabilitation*
-
Posture / physiology*
-
Radiation Injuries / physiopathology*
-
Radiation Injuries / rehabilitation*
-
Severity of Illness Index