Head and Neck Cancer, Radiation, and Dysphagia — Oh, My!
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common complication of oral, throat, and esophageal cancers. Tumors themselves may cause reduced range of motion of the jaw, lips, and tongue muscles necessary for chewing and manipulating food and controlling liquids, and they may reduce the ability of your throat muscles to push food to your esophagus.
Radiation is often a part of the treatment for these tumors, and unfortunately radiation can also cause problems with swallowing function. Radiation to these areas may result in pain while swallowing, dry mouth and changes to taste, as well as scarring and fibrosis (thickening of connective tissue), which can reduce the muscles’ ability to function properly.
Some people may require supplemental shakes or smoothies to maintain their weight during treatment. In more extreme cases, people may require a feeding tube to supplement their nutrition.
Here’s the good news: working with a speech pathologist can help! And the sooner you begin swallowing therapy, the better.
Beginning swallowing therapy and counseling prior to radiation treatment can help in preventing or lessening the severity of dysphagia. Your speech therapist will counsel you in the potential affects of treatment on your swallow function. You may also begin stretching and strengthening exercises for your oral and swallowing muscles to reduce the risk of losing function during treatment.
During treatment, your therapist will continue to work with you to determine how to make eating and drinking as safe and comfortable for you as possible. This may include strategies, such as turning your head to one side, or modifying the textures and consistencies of your foods, such as adding gravy to certain foods or choosing softer foods.
Undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation for head and neck cancer is difficult. But you don’t have to manage it alone! Your oncology team and speech therapist will work together with you to make sure you are able to manage any changes to your ability to eat and drink safely and comfortably.
Follow this link to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for more information on maintaining nutrition during radiation treatment.
Starting radiation soon? Make sure your team includes a speech therapist. Call Brittany at BPeck Speech and Swallowing for a complimentary initial consult today.
And if you had radiation treatment in the past but are just now noticing difficulty swallowing, it’s not too late to request an evaluation!
