Optimizing Function and Appearance After Head and Neck Reconstruction: Measurement and Intervention

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2023 Aug;56(4):835-852. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.04.017. Epub 2023 May 26.

Abstract

Approximately 50% of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors are left with dysphagia as a result of treatment sequele, and 25% of survivors experience clinically significant body image distress (BID). Both dysphagia and BID adversely affect quality of life and should be tracked using validated clinician- and patient-reported outcome measures such as the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer, MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, and Inventory to Measure and Assess imaGe disturbancE-Head & Neck (IMAGE-HN). Subjective and objective evaluation measures are critical to dysphagia workup and management. Building a renewed image after head and neck cancer treatment, a brief telemedicine-based cognitive behavioral therapy, has become the first evidence-based treatment for BID among HNC survivors.

Keywords: Body image; Disfigurement; Dysphagia; Head and neck cancer; Mental health; Survivorship.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Body Image / psychology
  • Deglutition Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Deglutition Disorders* / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders* / therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Survivors