Speech therapy follow-up for eating difficulties with juvenile child cancer: a series of cases

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to report speech therapy follow-up for eating difficulties with childhood cancer. Methods: The retrospective and descriptive-qualitative case series study was sampled composed of patients aged between 8 and 14 years, under follow-up with the Pediatric Oncology Service of the Hospital da Criança Santo Antônio – Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, with a request for speech therapy evaluation for swallowing/feeding research. The collection was performed through data extracted from the institution’s electronic medical records, with the evolution of the cases of patients hospitalized and attended in an outpatient clinic, from March 2018 to August 2019. Results: In the 3 reported cases, the patients presented normal swallowing, with indication of feeding tubes by impairment in oral food intake during and/or after cancer treatment. The dietary complaints due to the side effects of treatment were inapetence, taste change, nausea and vomiting. The cases were followed during hospitalization and in the speech therapy outpatient clinic. Two of the patients remained on a feeding tube for a long time and one of them reestablished exclusive oral feeding. Conclusion: The speech therapist inserted in the multidisciplinary team of care for patients with childhood cancer is one of those responsible for follow-up of eating difficulties caused by the disease and treatments, with a look beyond oropharyngeal dysphagia. Its performance should involve strategies that promote adequate nutrition, either alternatively or orally, aiming at safety and comfort, with respect to the patient’s autonomy.