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Oral or Oropharyngeal Cancer | Risk Factors for Speech & Swallowing Difficulties

Purpose: To identify a patient with a cancer of the mouth or oropharynx who may develop impaired speech and/or swallowing after treatment.

Description

Suarez-Cunqueiro et al identified risk factors for speech and swallowing impairment following therapy for an oral or oropharyngeal cancer. These can help to identify patients who may need to be followed more carefully following therapy for these complications. The authors are from multiple universities in Germany.


 

Impairment of speech and for swallowing were graded from 0 (none) to 4 (severe).

 

Risk factors for speech and swallowing difficulties:

(1) primary tumor located on the floor of the mouth or posterior oral cavity

(2) tumor with Stage III or IV

(3) combination of surgery and radiation therapy (with or without chemotherapy)

 

Loss of integrity in specific muscles (genioglossus, geniohyoid, mylohyoid) can significantly impair speech and/or swallowing.

 

Functional outcome for the patient is best when these factors are considered during treatment planning. A patient with these findings should be informed of the increased risk for later problems.

 


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10