Category:
FAQ
- The goal of treatment for head and neck cancers is to control the disease, but doctors are also concerned about preserving the function of the affected areas as much as they can and helping the patient return to normal activities as soon as possible after treatment. Rehabilitation is a very important part of this process. The goals of rehabilitation depend on the extent of the disease and the treatment that a patient has received.
- Speech Therapy
- Speech and swallow therapists are a cornerstone of cancer treatment. They work with patients to rehabilitate speech and swallowing through exercises and therapy sessions.
- Physical Therapy
- Post-treatment physical therapy is used to stretch and strengthen muscles and tissues affected by cancer treatment. Common therapy includes:
- Shoulder and neck exercises
- Jaw opening
- Mobility
- Post-treatment physical therapy is used to stretch and strengthen muscles and tissues affected by cancer treatment. Common therapy includes:
- Lymphedema Therapy
- Lymphedema specialists provide massage therapy with additional techniques to improve post-treatment swelling.
- Cancer Survivorship Groups
- There are local and national groups dedicated to post-treatment care. The American Head and Neck Society has an easily accessible website with a number of popular topics, comments, and FAQs.
- Read more about survivorship.
- Is follow-up care necessary? What does it involve?
- Regular follow-up care is very important after treatment for head and neck cancer to make sure that the cancer has not returned, or that a second primary (new) cancer has not developed. Depending on the type of cancer, medical checkups could include exams of the stoma, if one has been created, and of the mouth, neck, and throat. Regular dental exams may also be necessary.
- After being treated, it is generally recommended that you have a complete head and neck exam at the following intervals:
- Year 1: every 1-3 months
- Year 2: every 2-6 months
- Years 3-5: every 4-8 months
- After 5 years: every 12 months
- From time to time, the doctor may perform a complete physical exam, blood tests, x-rays, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The doctor may monitor thyroid and pituitary gland function, especially if the head or neck was treated with radiation. Also, the doctor is likely to recommend smoking cessation. Research has shown that continued smoking by a patient with head and neck cancer may reduce the effectiveness of treatment and increase the chance of a second primary cancer.