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13: Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care

DOI:

10.1891/9780826138255.0013

Authors

  • Pytynia, Kristen B.
  • Schreiner, Charles IV

Abstract

Head and neck cancers affect the soft tissues of the head and neck. Head and neck cancer survivors may experience some degree of swallowing dysfunction ranging from prolonged eating time to a complete inability to orally ingest nutrition or hydration. Dysphagia can lead to slow and/or noisy eating, causing embarrassment, and social isolation. This chapter provides a brief description on head and neck cancer survivorship care. It discusses epidemiology of head and neck cancers, and its disease surveillance, monitoring for late effects, risk reduction/early detection, and psychosocial health and functioning. The chapter presents a clinical vignette of a nonsmoking, married, and employed 53-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma 5 years ago.