title: Dysphagia in head and neck cancer.
abstract: Dysphagia is an important symptom of head and neck cancer (HNC), as well as representing a significant complication of its treatment. The treatment of HNC can result in neuromuscular and sensory damage affecting any stage of the swallow. The protective mechanisms during swallowing afforded by the structures in the pharynx are also affected in HNC. This article reviews the effect of the various treatment modalities in HNC on the swallowing mechanism. Various interventions which may play in role in relieving this dysphagia are also discussed. Due stress has been laid on the need for a multi-disciplinary approach for an optimal outcome in rehabilitating a patient's swallow after treatment for HNC.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai 400008, India. kapila.manikantan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kapila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manikantan
authors.forename: Shailesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khode
authors.forename: Suhail I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nutting
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rhys-Evans
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Rehan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D003679:Deglutition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D014139:Tracheostomy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents