Using Telepractice to Support the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: Key Considerations for Speech-Language Pathology Service Planning, Establishment, and Evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (13) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Clare L. Burns ◽  
Laurelie R. Wall
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
Clinical Patient ◽  
Research Reporting ◽  
Language Pathology

With the rise of technology-enhanced health services, there is a growing opportunity to use telepractice to address the challenges associated with accessing and delivering speech-language pathology head and neck cancer (HNC) services. With an emerging body of research reporting clinical, patient and service benefits, careful planning and coordination of a range of factors are required to integrate these new models into routine speech-language pathology practice. This paper provides a review of current evidence and key professional policy documents to assist clinicians in the development of speech-language pathology HNC telepractice services. Important aspects of service design such as mode and configuration of technology, patient suitability, staff support, and training, as well as strategies for service establishment and evaluation are discussed. Consideration of these aspects is important to ensure that future speech-language pathology HNC telepractice services meet clinical, technical, and operational requirements to support successful service implementation and long-term sustainability.

The Speech-Language Pathologist's Role in Screening for Head and Neck Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Edie R. Hapner
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Cancer Screenings ◽  
Language Pathology

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)'s Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA, 2004) and Prevention of Communication Disorders (ASHA, 1988) advise speech-language pathologists to engage in activities to educate and prevent diseases and disorders that affect speech and swallowing. However, many speech-language pathologists may be unfamiliar with the use of head and neck cancer screening that can be easily integrated into oral mechanism examinations and perceptual voice evaluations. This paper reviews the problem created by the lack of knowledge and reduced risk perception by the general public and healthcare professionals regarding signs, symptoms, and risks for head and neck cancer. A simple six-step screening tool is included to aid the reader in integrating head and neck cancer screenings into a general oral mechanism and speech/voice evaluation.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Head and Neck Mucosal Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana L. Crosby ◽  
Arun Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
National Organizations ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objective Due to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, otolaryngologists face novel challenges when treating patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current evidence surrounding the treatment of these patients during this pandemic and to provide evidence-based recommendations with attention to increased risk in this setting. Data Sources A review of the literature was performed with PubMed. Because recently published articles on this topic may not yet be indexed into PubMed, otolaryngology journals were hand searched for relevant articles. Guidelines from national organizations were reviewed to identify additional relevant sources of information. Review Methods Two groups of search terms were created: one with terms related to COVID-19 and another with terms related to head and neck cancer and its management. Searches were performed of all terms in each group as well as combinations of terms between groups. Searches and subsequent exclusion of articles were performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). Additional articles were identified after relevant journals and guidelines from national organizations were reviewed. Conclusions Patients with head and neck mucosal malignancy require continued treatment despite the current pandemic state. Care must be taken at all stages of treatment to minimize the risk to patients and health care workers while maintaining focus on minimizing use of limited resources. Implications for Practice Patient care plans should be guided by best available evidence to optimize outcomes while maintaining a safe environment in the setting of this pandemic.

scholarly journals Deterioration of Intended Target Volume Radiation Dose Due to Anatomical Changes in Patients with Head-and-Neck Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4253
Author(s):  
Olga Hamming-Vrieze ◽  
Simon van Kranen ◽  
Iris Walraven ◽  
Arash Navran ◽  
Abrahim Al-Mamgani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Patient Selection ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Adaptive Radiotherapy ◽  
Clinical Patient

Delivered radiation dose can differ from intended dose. This study quantifies dose deterioration in targets, identifies predictive factors, and compares dosimetric to clinical patient selection for adaptive radiotherapy in head-and-neck cancer patients. One hundred and eighty-eight consecutive head-and-neck cancer patients treated up to 70 Gy were analyzed. Daily delivered dose was calculated, accumulated, and compared to the planned dose. Cutoff values (1 Gy/2 Gy) were used to assess plan deterioration in the highest/lowest dose percentile (D1/D99). Differences in clinical factors between patients with/without dosimetric deterioration were statistically tested. Dosimetric deterioration was evaluated in clinically selected patients for adaptive radiotherapy with CBCT. Respectively, 16% and 4% of patients had deterioration over 1 Gy in D99 and D1 in any of the targets, this was 5% (D99) and 2% (D1) over 2 Gy. Factors associated with deterioration of D99 were higher baseline weight/BMI, weight gain early in treatment, and smaller PTV margins. The sensitivity of visual patient selection with CBCT was 22% for detection of dosimetric changes over 1 Gy. Large dose deteriorations in targets occur in a minority of patients. Clinical prediction based on patient characteristics or CBCT is challenging and dosimetric selection tools seem warranted to identify patients in need for ART, especially in treatment with small PTV margins.

Is the combination of Cetuximab with chemo-radiotherapy regimens worthwhile in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer? A review of current evidence

2013 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianmauro Numico ◽  
Pierfrancesco Franco ◽  
Antonella Cristofano ◽  
Fernanda Migliaccio ◽  
Silvia Spinazzé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Advanced Head
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document