Screening for oropharyngeal dysphagia and malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer a review of available tools

Abstract

The occurrence of dysphagia and malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancers is associated with sequelae that negatively affect the treatment process and its effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to perform screening of dysphagia and malnutrition in this group of patients. Screening tests should be quick to perform, easy to use, and cost-effective. The methods used should be validated on the target group of patients. For patients with head and neck tumours, such validation is provided by four dysphagia screening questionnaires and nine malnutrition screening questionnaires.