Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Interventions for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors 9567

Approximately 54,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States with an age-adjusted 5-year overall survival rate of 68.5%.  These cancer survivors can suffer from multiple impairments that can negatively impact their quality of life. After head and cancer treatment, the second most reported oral morbidity is trismus, or difficulty opening mouth. It has been reported to affect 72% post-treatment of patients’ post-treatment leading to difficulty with oral hygiene, food intake, and communication as well as dysphagia. We present an innovative interdisciplinary team approach to trismus through a dedicated Trismus Clinic comprising oral oncology, speech language pathology and physiatry at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center.  The symposium highlights each disciplines contributions and will present these interventions around the framework of a patient example.