Slps at the Forefront: Innovating Late-onset Dysphagia Care in Head & Neck Cancer 1922

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Location: ROOM: Private Dining Room #4 >>> DIRECTIONS Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, take the elevator to the 3rd Floor. Turn left and walk past Astoria and turn left into the corridor. PDR #4 is at the end of the hallway.

Presenter(s)

Ruchi M. Narkar, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers)

Speech Language Pathologist
ASHA
North Hollywood, California, United States

Slides Slides

Late-onset dysphagia is a growing concern among cancer survivors, yet clinical practices for managing this condition remain inconsistent. This presentation shares findings from a nationwide survey and systematic review investigating strategies used by rehabilitation professionals to address dysphagia that emerges months or years after cancer treatment. Attendees will gain insight into current trends, barriers to care, and evidence-based interventions that improve swallowing outcomes. Results from the meta-analysis highlight the effectiveness of multimodal therapy approaches and call attention to the need for standardized protocols across care settings. This session is ideal for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers dedicated to advancing cancer rehabilitation.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the prevalence of radiation-induced late-onset dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients.
Develop and reform Assessment Protocols after the presentation discussion on the tools and techniques SLPs can use to identify early signs of late-onset dysphagia, including video fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
Learn new evidence-based intervention strategies. The presentation will discuss and explain evidence-based intervention approaches, such as swallowing exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and compensatory strategies tailored to the unique challenges of post-radiotherapy patients.
Engage in a multidisciplinary approach that ephasizes the importance of collaboration between SLPs, oncologists, radiologists, and other healthcare providers for comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Use long-term care and monitoring strategies through discussions on recommendations for ongoing reassessment and long-term management, focusing on preventing further complications and optimizing patient quality of life.