Health Literacy and Adherence to Clinical Recommendations in Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: After definitive cancer treatment, survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) are commonly recommended to participate in therapies aimed at reducing the burden of treatment-related side effects.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated whether adherence to referral to physical therapy (PT) and speech-language pathology therapy (SLPT) is related to patient health literacy (HL).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of patients attending a multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic between 2017 and 2019.

Quality of life after radiation and transoral robotic surgery in advanced oropharyngeal cancer.

Objectives: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treatment results in impaired swallowing and quality of life (QOL). We analyzed a cross-section of advanced stage OPSCC patients treated with multimodal therapies at our Survivorship Clinic to investigate treatment factors associated with QOL.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) after primary OPSCC treatment using AJCC seventh edition staging.

Association of Trismus With Quality of Life and Swallowing in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: We aim to (1) determine the prevalence and predictors of trismus and (2) examine the relationship of trismus, swallowing dysfunction, and quality of life (QOL) in survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic.

Prevision of multidisciplinary head and neck cancer survivorship care during the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic.

The 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic challenges the delivery of care for patients with head and neck cancer. An important aspect of this care has been the evolution of enhanced survivorship services, which include surveillance for recurring cancer and prevention of second primaries. The application of evidence-based approaches to the identification and management of treatment and tumor-related toxicities has embraced the use of validated patient-reported outcomes instruments, health promotion, and care coordination.

Burden of treatment: Reported outcomes in a head and neck cancer survivorship clinic.

Objective: With the intensification and utilization of multimodal treatment, acute toxicities have increased; however, the frequency of treatment sequelae in long-term head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors are poorly described. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the prevalence and predictors of patient-reported late and long-term treatment-related sequelae in HNC survivors.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of patient-reported outcomes from 228 survivors attending a multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic.

Postoperative Swallowing Assessment After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Dysphagia, aspiration, and potential pneumonia represent a major source of morbidity in patients undergoing lung transplantation. Conditions that potentiate dysphagia and aspiration include frailty and prolonged intubation. Our group of speech-language pathologists has been actively involved in performance of a bedside evaluation of swallowing, and instrumental evaluation of swallowing with modified barium swallow, and postoperative management in patients undergoing lung transplantation.

A prospective evaluation of short-term dysphagia after transoral robotic surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been associated with improved long-term dysphagia symptomatology compared with chemoradiation. Dysphagia in the perioperative period has been inadequately characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize short-term swallowing outcomes after TORS for OPSCC.

Handgrip strength and dysphagia assessment following cardiac surgery.

Objectives/hypothesis: Prolonged intubation has been recognized as a risk factor for dysphagia following cardiac surgery. We conducted a study to determine whether those patients intubated longer than 12 hours following cardiac surgery exhibit low handgrip strength and if dysphagia is prevalent in those with low handgrip strength.

Study Design: Feasibility study.

Frailty measurements and dysphagia in the outpatient setting.

Objective: Deconditioning and frailty may contribute to dysphagia and aspiration. Early identification of patients at risk of aspiration is important. Aspiration prevention would lead to reduced morbidity and health care costs.