2024-07-26 08:12:08
The majority of people with head and neck cancer suffer from oropharyngeal dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that can cause malnutrition and choking risk. However, although it is very common, 90% of those affected are not diagnosed.
On the occasion of World Head and Neck Cancer Dayon July 27, the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) and the General Council of Colleges of Speech Therapists (CGCL) warns of the need to address dysphagia in a multifaceted manner in order to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Dysphagia is a change in the movement of food from the lips to the esophagus and “can be due to a change in efficiency (the bolus is not moved in an effective way and therefore we are not fed properly) or because of a change in safety. . “(The bolus can go into the airway and cause serious complications such as pyromonia),” they explained Dr. Magdalena Pérez Ortín, member of the Laryngology, Voice, Phoniatrics and Swallowing Commission of SEORL-CCC.
“It can appear – he adds – due to diseases, head and neck surgeries, surgeries that create a structure, an organic change that will cause a biological mechanical problem to occur in the world of food. Even neurological diseases like stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis or dementia.”
This movement disorder affects 2.5 million Spaniards. And of those, 90% are undiagnosed, according to SEORL-CCC.
In addition to being present in many cases of head and neck cancer, dysphagia affects between 16 and 30% of those over 65 years old in Spain and increases to 40% in the case of patients admitted to hospitals or clinics. in the residences.
The importance of early elephants
A study of Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada and University of Granadadiscovered that 85% of patients evaluated using a validated questionnaire presented dysphagia.
According to this study, the difference in dysphagia is explained by factors such as cough, limited mouth movement and poor sleep quality.
It highlights the importance of early and accurate diagnosis of dysphagia, as well as a comprehensive treatment strategy to deal with sequelae in head and neck cancer survivors following oncological treatments.
Furthermore, dysphagia requires an interdisciplinary team that must be coordinated at different levels of care.
“Treatment should include the patient’s diet and health, including rehabilitation and, if necessary, surgery. The course and progression in these patients depends on the onset of the injury. Among the most common are changes in food, textures, speech therapy correction, nutritional methods and in specific cases, surgical treatments, “points out Dr. Pérez Ortín.
Treatment of speech as treatment
From General Council of Colleges of Speech Therapists They show the importance of speech therapy in recovering from the effects suffered by people with head and neck cancer.
“This speech treatment has been shown to get good results even when it is carried out before surgery. Prehabilitation helps to prepare the physical body of the oropharyngeal structures and to train and practice the a different way of moving, thus improving the prognosis of functional recovery after surgery or radiotherapy,” explains speech therapist Cristina Fillola.
Head and neck cancer in numbers
On the other hand, this year 7,603 cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx and 3,181 of the larynx will be diagnosed, according to the report “Cancer figures in Spain in 2024” released by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology.
They account for around 5% of all tumors, but this type of cancer has a great impact by affecting the most visible part of the body and affecting the patient’s quality of life.
“Patients with head and neck cancer have non-specific symptoms. For this reason, you should contact a specialist if there is any suspicious sign to promote an early diagnosis. A wound in the mouth (sore, canker sore) that does not heal in 15 days must be examined by a doctor,” Dr. Álex Sistiaga, President of the Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery Commission has explained. SEORL-CCC.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption and the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV) are the main risk factors for head and neck cancer, so it can be prevented by controlling these risks.
“More than 80% of patients with head and neck tumors are smokers, and most have maintained this habit since childhood. It is important to educate the public about the consequences of smoking,” said a scientist from this medical group.
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