Title : Rehabilitation in head and neck cancer
Abstract:
Head and neck cancer and its treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often result in significant functional impairments that affect swallowing, mouth opening (trismus), speech, neck and shoulder mobility, posture, and overall quality of life. These impairments can interfere with nutrition, communication, social participation, and independence. Rehabilitation plays a critical role in addressing these challenges and supporting patients across the cancer care continuum, from diagnosis through survivorship.
This presentation will focus on the importance of early, interdisciplinary rehabilitation for individuals with head and neck cancer. It will highlight common treatment-related impairments such as trismus, radiation fibrosis, shoulder dysfunction, and head and neck lymphedema. The functional consequences of these impairments and their impact on daily activities will be discussed to emphasize the need for timely intervention.
The session will review evidence-based rehabilitation interventions, including therapeutic exercises to improve range of motion and strength, postural retraining, lymphedema management techniques, and the use of botulinum toxin injections when appropriate. The role of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and collaboration with oncology teams will be emphasized to illustrate the value of coordinated care. Finally, the presentation will address the importance of integrating rehabilitation into oncology care pathways, identify common barriers to access, and advocate for early referrals.
