Rehabilitation and Quality of Life after Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Head and neck cancer often requires extensive treatment in the form of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these treatments. Rehabilitation after head and neck cancer treatment can be difficult. Your ENT specialist has information and tips to help enhance your quality of life after head and neck cancer treatment.

The ENT specialists and plastic surgeons at The Ear, Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery Associates provide a wide range of ENT and plastic surgery services, including treatment and rehabilitation after head and neck cancer. They have several convenient office locations in Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Orlando, and Celebration, FL.

What You Need to Know about Head and Neck Cancer

Some of the problems associated with recuperating from head and neck cancer treatment include:

• Difficulty swallowing and mouth opening
• Problems with speech
• Pain in the shoulders, neck, and head
• Difficulty moving the shoulders, arms, neck, and head
• Pain in the jaw and face
• Dental problems

Initially, the focus of rehabilitation is wound healing to prevent bedsores and other open wounds. Wound healing progresses during the first 10 to 14 days after surgery, and the patient becomes better able to begin movements and stretches. Transcutaneous nerve stimulation with a TENS unit is also helpful. Shoulder and neck movements and stretches are essential to help promote function, flexibility, and range of motion.

Swallowing difficulties may be present, and an ENT specialist can treat swallowing difficulties with a variety of options, including:

• Medications to reduce stomach acid
• Medications to reduce esophageal spasm
• Dietary modifications
• Surgical treatment, including stent placement to open a narrowed esophagus

Speech problems may also be a consequence of head and neck cancer treatment. Your ENT specialist can provide the services of a speech therapist to help improve speech. Another potential problem associated with head and neck cancer treatment is dental issues. Potential dental issues include:

• Increased tooth decay from dry mouth due to radiation therapy
• Loss of teeth due to surgery
• Temporomandibular joint pain

Your ENT specialist can help coordinate services with a dentist to repair damaged or decayed teeth or to remove teeth. If teeth are removed, the dentist can provide tooth replacement options, including dental appliances or dental implants. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can be addressed by either a dentist or a TMJ specialist.

Positioning exercises of the head, neck, and shoulders are also important to help prevent pain and injury. One week after surgery, training in performing the activities of daily living is also started to facilitate independence and self-sufficiency.

Want To Know More About Head and Neck Cancer Treatment and Rehabilitation?

To find out more about head and neck cancer treatment and rehabilitation, call the ENT specialists and plastic surgeons at The Ear, Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery Associates. You can reach them at any of their locations in Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Orlando, and Celebration, FL, by calling (407) 644-4883, so call today.