Head and Neck Cancer

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Cancers of the head and neck make up about 4% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Although cancers of the head and neck are not the most common cancers, there is a high frequency, severity, and complexity of needs experienced by persons diagnosed and treated for head and neck cancer.  Medical management of head and neck cancer includes a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which can result in a multitude of impairments in body function and structure, contributing to activity limitations, participation restrictions, and reduced health related quality of life.

This one-day educational session will review the medical management of head and neck cancer and associated side effects, along with the evaluation and treatment of neck dysfunction, temporomandibular dysfunction/trismus, and shoulder dysfunction/spinal accessory neuropathy. This educational session will include lecture, demonstration, hands-on or lab activities, and group discussion.  A focus will be to provide the best available evidence for addressing the rehabilitation needs of survivors of head and neck cancer. 

SPEAKER: Bryan A. Spinelli, PT, PhD

Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Lymphology Association of North America: LANA Certified 

Bryan is a physical therapist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2000 and a Master of Science in 2001 from Northeastern University.  He received his Doctorate of Philosophy from Drexel University in 2016. 

Bryan is a Lymphology Association of North America Certified Lymphedema Therapist and continues to practice as a physical therapist at Jefferson Rehabilitation, Jefferson University Hospitals.  Bryan works predominantly with persons living with and beyond head and neck cancer. He has experience with assisting patients in managing head and neck lymphedema, neck and shoulder dysfunction, and trismus. He has lectured, published and/or presented at conferences in the areas of cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema, and shoulder pain and dysfunction in cancer survivors.  Bryan’s research interests focus on promoting physical activity and exercise in cancer survivors, assessment and management of cancer-related lymphedema, and shoulder dysfunction.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this course, participant will be able to: 

1. Describe the common medical management strategies for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
2. Understand how medical management (surgery and radiation) may affect the temporomandibular joint, cervical spine, and shoulder.
3. Evaluate impairments in body function and structure, activity limitations and participation restrictions related to a head and neck cancer diagnosis and the side effects of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
4. Select and prescribe interventions to address temporomandibular, neck, and shoulder dysfunction.
5. Recognize side effects of head and neck cancer and its treatment warranting referral.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL - INTERMEDIATE

LECTURE W/HANDS-ON LAB - STUDENT:FACULTY RATIO (16:1)

SCHEDULE

8:00 am – 6:00 pm

7:30 am                           Registration

8:00 – 9:00 am                Overview of head and neck cancer and its medical management

9:00 – 9:45 am                Side effects of head and neck cancer and its treatment: screening and referral

9:45 – 10:00 am              Break

10:00 am – 12:00 pm      Examination and treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction: lecture and lab

12:00 - 1:00 pm               Lunch

1:00 – 3:00 pm                Examination and treatment of neck dysfunction: lecture and lab

3:00 – 3:15 pm                Break

3:15 – 5:15 pm                Examination and treatment of shoulder dysfunction: lecture and lab

5:15 – 6:00 pm                Case–based learning activity and group discussion