Throat Cancer Treatments — Oncology Rehabilitation

Oncology Rehabilitation for Throat Cancer 

Throat cancer treatments can cause side effects, such as fatigue, weakness or stiffness in the shoulders and neck, difficulty swallowing, and speech problems. These side effects may interfere with your everyday activities and your quality of life. This is where rehabilitation steps in.

Rehabilitation can be your foundation for functioning before, during and after throat cancer treatment. Rehabilitation therapies should be individualized for each person, depending on the size and location of the throat cancer, and the type and nature of the throat cancer treatment you receive.

Rehabilitation Therapies for Throat Cancer at CTCA

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we understand your ability to function independently plays an important role in your overall quality of life. The Oncology Rehabilitation Department aims to help you regain your strength, energy and independence as you receive traditional throat cancer treatments. The department is staffed with an integrated team of caring and experienced physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs) and speech and language pathologists.

Upon your arrival at CTCA, you will meet with a rehabilitation therapist for a thorough physical evaluation and assessment. Then, you and your therapist will work together to identify your physical and functional status prior to throat cancer treatment. Based on this evaluation, your therapist will develop a rehabilitation plan tailored to your individual needs. Your rehabilitation plan may include therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular training, and speech therapy to help you fight throat cancer from all angles.

Speech and Language Pathology

Two common side effects of throat cancer treatment are difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and problems with speech (i.e., a harsh or weak voice). CTCA speech and language pathologists teach speech therapy to help you communicate your wants and needs with ease and clarity. They also help resolve any swallowing problems that may limit your ability to eat.

Another technique our speech and language pathologists use is Neuromuscular Re-education with Electrical Stimulation. This therapy aims to help restore an efficient safe swallow in patients treated for throat cancer and other head and neck cancers. Dysphagia treatment consists of “Talk Tools,” a system that uses graduated exercises with straws, horns and jaw bites to improve oral motor and laryngeal function ensuring safe nutrition. Also, for patient biofeedback, therapists will also test throat cancer patients’ swallow function using Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).

In addition, CTCA speech and language pathologists will provide throat cancer therapies such as muscle exercises and head postures (i.e., turning the head to one side to help with a safe swallow). They also consult with dietitians from the Nutrition and Metabolic Support Department at CTCA to thicken or puree food to a tolerable consistency.

Physical and Occupational Therapy

The Oncology Rehabilitation Department provides physical and occupational therapy during your throat cancer treatment. Treatments like surgery can cause loss of muscle or nerve activity and can compromise function. You may also experience cancer-related fatigue, which can interfere with your performance of daily activities.

Our occupational therapists assist in helping throat cancer patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as grooming, dressing, eating, etc. Our physical therapists deliver individualized exercise programs with energy conservation techniques to preserve function and physical performance status.

Throughout your care, the oncology rehabilitation team aims to reduce your pain, improve your energy level, help you regain mobility, and boost your body’s tolerance to throat cancer treatments. They strive to help you continue activity at the right level, and at the right time, so you still have energy to do the things you enjoy.

Auriculotherapy

Originally based on the ancient Chinese practices of acupuncture, auriculotherapy consists of an electrical stimulus which is applied to external ear points that correspond to locations on the body. Through stimulation of the auricle of the external ear, auriculotherapy aims to alleviate health conditions in other parts of the body. For throat cancer patients, auriculotherapy may help relieve issues like nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, swallow dysfunction, pain and fatigue.

Pain Management

The Oncology Rehabilitation Department consults regularly with the Pain Management Department at CTCA to help relieve any pain brought on by throat cancer and its treatment. The focus is on controlling pain and restoring activities of daily living.

Next Topic: Pain Management for Throat Cancer