[Dysphagia] laryngeal edema, lung cancer radiation

[pressmah at sjhmc.org (pressmah@sjhmc.org)]

Usually you can expect some improvement 6-8 weeks post treatment.  There
are, however, usually some permanent changes and we have seen patients have
more difficulty in future years.  I've seen patients 20 years after
treatment who have new onset difficulties.  This is also reported in the
literature.  Can't quote them right now but a literature search should turn
this up  
Hilda Pressman, MA, CCC SLP BRS-S
Board Recognized Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

-----Original Message-----
From: Bonnie Heintskill [mailto:bonnieh4455@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 12:13 PM
To: dysphagia
Subject: [Dysphagia] laryngeal edema, lung cancer radiation


I have a potential home care patient that has lung cancer, had radiation
treatment for it, has laryngeal edema as a result and has a PEG feeding
tube.  He is still in the hospital.

My question is:  How long does laryngeal edema take to go down for him to
try to eat orally.  Do I take this patient on when discharged from the
hospital or wait for a while?

My gut feeling is to not do any treatment for a while due to the laryngeal
edema (and subsequent post radiation pain).  Having never worked with this
type of patient before - what type of cautions/precautions, treatments does
one do for him?

Thanks in advance!
Bonnie_______________________________________________
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