Rehabilitation of patients following major head and neck cancer surgery.

ABSTRACT

Cancer rehabilitation is accepted as an essential part of patient care, aiming to maximise the patient's quality of life. Patients who have received major surgery for head and neck cancer face many challenges and require a tailored rehabilitation programme. This review collate the evidence specific to head and neck cancer patients and divides the programme into five areas functional, medical, aesthetic, psychological and social. This provides an overall framework in which to consider these unique rehabilitation requirements.