Speech therapy performance in patients with esophagus cancer receiving radiotherapy treatment: A case series

Abstract

Introduction: Speech therapy performance in dysphagia resulting from esophageal cancer is still a recent subject. To date, there are no studies describing the speech therapy performance of patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radiotherapy. For this reason, the aim of this study was to describe speech therapy performance in patients with esophageal cancer receiving radiotherapy treatment and with complaints of dysphagia. Methods: This is a series of five cases, with patients that received outpatient speech therapy. The patients were assessed using clinical swallowing evaluation, classification of the degree of swallowing alteration with application of visual analog scale and quality of life protocols used in oncology. They also underwent a therapeutic approach to swallowing. Results: The patients’ swallowing was improved and, at the end of the treatment, there were reduced symptoms of dysphagia, possibility of oral intake of food and improved quality of life. Conclusions: Speech therapy, comprising the clinical assessment of the swallowing function, followed by swallowing training and myofunctional exercise to open the upper esophageal sphincter, supported the rehabilitation of esophageal dysphagia.