The corona (COVID-19) pandemic presents
many challenges for head and neck cancer patients and their medical providers.
Because of the reduction or decrease in outpatient services, the availability of
neopharyngeal and /or esophageal dilation for esophageal narrowing may not be
available.
Enclosed are suggestions how to cope with
these challenges:
- Performing dilation at-home using self-dilation device
- Considering treatment that resolve the narrowing (i.e., stent, laser treatment)
- Temporarily altering the diet to soft or liquid one
- Using a gastric tube for feeding
It is helpful to contact one’s speech and
language pathologist and/or physician for guidance. Many institutions perform dilation to those who are unable
Hopefully these temporary measures will
be helpful.
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