Head and neck cancer diagnosis is a complex, multifaceted, interdisciplinary, and time-sensitive process in which SLPs are very involved from beginning to end. This session explores clinical pathways to guide the SLP and other members of the multidisciplinary team – including, most importantly, the patient – through the diagnosis and evaluation process. The session discusses the SLP’s roles in evaluating, managing, educating, and counseling patients on speech, voice, and swallowing difficulties that may arise from the tumor and from cancer treatment toxicities. This course is a recorded session from the 2019 online conference “Cancer Care: Enhancing Communication, Swallowing, and Quality of Life.”

Learning Objectives:
You will be able to:

• explain the diagnostic process in head and neck cancer patients
• discuss diagnostic options for speech and swallowing prior to surgical and nonsurgical treatments
• describe clinical pathways to guide the head and neck cancer patient during the evaluation process

What is Included?

You'll get online access to all the course content, including the full video, handouts, and references so you can access it from anywhere!

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

Related Courses

View all courses from the "Cancer Care: Enhancing Communication, Swallowing, and Quality of Life" online conference, available through the ASHA Learning Pass subscription or as an a la carte purchase.