Proposals appropriate for submission to this topic area include the description, assessment, comparison, treatment, and prevention of functional sequelae related to cancers of the head, neck and esophagus. This includes alaryngeal speech, speech and voice changes associated with head, neck and esophageal cancer treatment; ototoxicity; swallowing disorders associated with head, neck and esophageal cancer; trismus; and lymphedema. Interprofessional education, practice, and/or research that addresses the implementation of interprofessional competencies within curricular or practice models or the evaluation of collaborative care outcomes specific to head and neck cancer should be included in this topic area.

Research

• Translational research including implementation and applied studies related to head, neck and esophageal cancer
• Quantitative inquiries including but not limited to clinical guidelines, meta-analysis, systematic reviews, randomized-controlled trials, well-designed case-control/quasi-experimental studies, single subject designs, patient-reported outcomes (PRO)
• Outcomes evaluation/research
• Qualitative inquiries including, but not limited to, ethnographic, narrative, PRO
• Mixed methods research

Professional Education

• Epidemiology of head and neck cancer and related cancers (e.g., brain, esophageal)
• Alaryngeal speech in patients following total laryngectomy
• Hearing loss associated with chemotherapy ototoxicity
• Behavioral, social, environmental, neuromodulatory, pharmacological, surgical, and other interventions for head and neck cancer and the functional sequelae of its treatments
• Innovative treatment strategies for adults including group, interprofessional, and family/caregiver-focused approaches
• Assessment and management of dysphagia associated with head, neck and esophageal cancer and its treatments
• Prevention of speech, swallowing and voice disorders associated with organ preservation treatment protocols
• Innovative service delivery models for adults with head, neck and esophageal cancer and its treatment
• Teaming issues (multidisciplinary and interprofessional care, with otolaryngology, radiation/medical oncology, audiology, OT, PT, dietary, etc.) specific to head, neck and esophageal cancer
• Education and training issues specific to issues associated with head and neck cancer, including supervision
• Ethical considerations in service delivery for patients with head and neck cancer, including supervision
• Palliative care issues including end of life decision making related to head and neck cancer
• Technology as it relates to head and neck cancer (e.g., mobile applications, devices, software, etc.), along with innovative service delivery models through telepractice technology
• Administrative, legislative and regulatory issues related to head and neck cancer

Related Topics

Proposals including head and neck cancer but with a primary focus on:

• Pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders associated with cancer should be submitted to the Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing topic area.
• Cognitive linguistic disorders should be submitted to the Acquired Cognitive Communication Disorders topic area.
• Associated motor speech disorders should be submitted to the Motor Speech Disorders Across the Lifespan topic area.
• Use of alternative or augmented devices should be submitted to the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) topic area.
• Use of telepractice in delivery of service should be submitted to the Telepractice topic area.