Head and Neck Cancer: A Candid Discussion About Laryngectomy The RMUpload! Healthcare and Education

Today, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) Kristin McDougal and Dr. Phil Sechtem discuss the nuances and specialized care involved for persons with head and neck cancer who undergo partial or total laryngectomy. They discuss self-perceptions and considerations of patients who receive this challenging diagnosis, counseling and consultation visits pre- and post-surgery, and the restoration/management of communication, speech, voice, and swallowing functions. It is essential that this patient population receive care from highly knowledgeable and experienced SLPs from the time of diagnosis through each stage of recovery because optimal outcomes depend on it.