The Speech & Swallowing Therapy services at the Center for Cancer & Oncology are designed to provide diagnosis, treatment, and management of swallowing and voice disorders.
For someone experiencing swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) or voice dysfunction the first step is determining the cause and extent of the problem. Patients often become aware of these conditions when they experience:
Conditions & Diseases
Swallowing and voice disorders can be caused by a number of diseases, conditions, and treatments, including:
- Head or neck cancer rehabilitation
- Radiation therapy
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Trauma
- Spinal injury/surgery
- Tracheostomy
- Degenerative neurological conditions (Parkinsonʼs, MS, ALS, etc.)
- Dementia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Normal aging
Treatments & Procedures
Our speech pathologists and other specialists offer a number of diagnostic and treatment services for our patients, including:
- Swallowing evaluations
- Modified Barium Swallow Study
- Fiber-optic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Functional voice treatment
- Videostroboscopy (magnified slow motion assessment of the larynx)
- Comprehensive therapy plans, which may include:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Biomechanical compensation (changes in position or posture for
safer swallowing or a better voice) - Food and drink modifications
- Surface EMG
- Manometry
- Surgical interventions
Visit our Medical Rehabilitation section for more info on ECMC’s Speech Pathology health services. (Learn more »)
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