Supportive Care for Oral Cancer Survivors: A Rehabilitation Approach

Abstract

Oral cancer survivors are at an increased risk for developing physical impairments that can adversely affect physical function and quality of life due to the cancer location and treatment that includes surgery and chemoradiation therapy. Many of these impairments can present long after completion of treatment. Surveillance, screening, and treatment of these impairments require a multidisciplinary rehabilitative team that is an integral part of the care of this fragile population. This review article addresses the assessment and treatment of physical impairments commonly encountered during and after completion of oral cancer treatment.

Keywords: Dysphagia; Lymphedema; Malnutrition; Oral cancer; Physical function; Quality of life; Radiation fibrosis; Trismus.