Disability and rehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients after treatment

In an effort to obtain quantitative and qualitative information regarding the extent of disability sustained following definitive treatment for head and neck cancer, 51 patients--28 who had had laryngectomy and 23 who had had other major surgery--were interviewed. Also examined were the types of rehabilitation measures taken. In all cases, the following areas in which disability could occur were identified and explored: physical appearance, speech, deglutition, mastication, salivation, sensory deficits, cranial motor-nerve deficits, pain, nutrition, activities of daily living, psychosocial functioning, vocational status, environmental parameters, and delayed complications. Where appropriate, ratings and delineations of severity were compiled. Nine methods of rehabilitation were assessed with regard to frequency of utilization: surgical reconstruction, dental-maxillofacial prosthetics, speech therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation nursing, occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, and social service. Our conclusions were that half of the patients studied had sustained significant disability in three to four areas, while 43% had moderate or severe disability in five to nine areas. Additionally, the head and neck surgeon was found to have used surgical reconstruction and dental-maxillofacial prosthetic measures, as well as the services of seven categories of allied health professionals, to provide rehabilitation.