Rehabilitation of dysphagia following head and neck cancer

Patients who have cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these modalities. Each treatment type may have a negative impact on posttreatment swallowing function; these effects are presented in this article. A number of rehabilitative procedures are available to the clinician to reduce or eliminate swallowing disorders in patients treated for cancer of the head and neck. The various procedures-including postures, maneuvers, modifications to bolus volume and viscosity, range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening exercises-and their efficacy in patients treated for head and neck cancer are discussed.