Head and Neck Cancer in Spotlight at AVAHO Regional Meeting

Another session at the regional conference focused on lymphedema—swelling that can develop due to radiation treatment. “All patients with head and neck cancer should be sent to a lymphedema specialist prior to starting treatment since the specialists can prevent this from happening by giving the patients tools, such as compression garments,” Bowman said. “This way, we don’t end up with somebody 15 or 20 years from now coming back and saying they’re not able to move their neck or unable to swallow the right way.”

Another session highlighted the important role of dental care for patients with head and neck cancer. “We send patients to the dentist prior to ever starting anything. We know that radiation therapy can cause osteoradionecrosis, in which people’s teeth begin to crumble. Fortunately, the VA is now covering dentures for these patients, and they automatically get dental care coverage.” Bowman said.

“In the big picture,” she said, “Attendees should come out of the regional meeting with new insight into the importance of teamwork in head and neck cancer care. We need to make sure that all the pieces to the puzzle are there, and everybody is working together to expedite care for the veterans so that they have the best outcomes possible.”