Head & Neck Cancer

Speech Pathology services to head and neck cancer patients include both in and outpatient contact. The majority of the patients that require Speech Pathology services are those that have undergone extensive head and neck surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy due to cancer.

Patients are routinely counselled before surgery regarding likely functional outcomes, speech and swallowing. Input after medical management focuses initially on swallowing abilities, with work on speech or communication being addressed as required.

As most of the total laryngectomies for South Australia and the Northern Territory are performed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, this area has become a specialty service.

There is intensive work from initial fitting of a voice prosthesis or selection of appropriate alternative communication method, whilst still an inpatient, through to prolonged outpatient contact to ensure patient independence in care and management of a voice prosthesis.

The Speech Pathology department provides support for community based Speech Pathologist who may be involved in patient care following head and neck surgery and provides inservicing as required.

The department also runs a fortnightly clinic in conjunction with ENT medical staff, which monitors patients after treatment for cancer – both, surgical and/or radiotherapy. This involves examination of the pharynx and the larynx via a nasendoscope. The procedure is recorded allowing for thorough review and comparison with previous examinations. This clinic is also used for swallowing assessments using endoscopic swallowing procedures.