The role of botulinum toxin in the management of head and neck cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
In this review article different relevant applications of botulinum toxin type A are demonstrated in patients with head and neck cancer.


RESULTS
Patients with head and neck cancers of different etiologies often suffer from disorders concerning their musculature (for example, synkinesis in mimic muscles) or gland secretion in the head and neck region. This leads to many problems and reduces their quality of life. The application of botulinum toxin type A can improve movement disorders like synkinesis following reconstructive surgery in patients with cancers of the parotid gland, spasms of the pharyngo-esophageal musculature following laryngectomies and disorders of the autonomous nerve system like hypersalivation, hyperlacrimation and pathological sweating.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of botulinum toxin type A is a helpful and minimally invasive treatment option in different functional disorders improving the quality of life in patients with head and neck cancers of different etiologies. Side effects are rare.
Laskawi
Rainer
R
Department ORL-HNS, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. rlaskaw@gwdg.de
Ellies
Maik
M
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A