Abstract
The long term follow-up for six post-operative dysphagic patients with head and neck cancer is herein reported. The patients consisted of three with oral cancer, one with epipharynx cancer, one with mesopharynx cancer and one with thyroid cancer. Two of the three patients with oral cancer were discharged in a state of complete oral food uptake, however, both died of recurrence. One of the three patients with oral cancer(gingiva) was discharged free from cancer, but requiring the use of a nasal feeding tube. He suffered from tongue cancer after being discharged. Due to the tongue cancer he continued to require nasal feeding. The patient with epipharynx caner was discharged free from cancer but requiring a nasal feeding tube. However, distant metastases(liver and bones) were discovered after being discharged. Combined treatment with radiation and chemotherapy to both his bones and liver proved to be very effective. He continues to have cancer and presently lives at home using a feeding tube. The patient with mesopharynx cancer was discharged free from cancer but requiring a nasal feeding tube. He lives at home and is free from cancer now. The patient with thyroid cancer was discharged free from cancer but requiring a nasal feeding tube. Since the rehabilitation this patient's dysphagia was very effective, she can now eat almost everything without any aspiration. However, she unfortunately hospitalized herself due to the onset of dementia.
