Cancers of the head and neck make up 3 – 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States and 5 year survival rates vary widely (30 – 94%) depending on the specific site. Although prevalence rates for head and neck cancer related to tobacco and alcohol use are decreasing, rates are increasing for HPV-related cancers. Medical management of head and neck cancer may include a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which can result in a multitude of impairments in body function and structure. Survivorship plans span the point of diagnosis through end of life, and must include caregivers and family members. This one day educational session and lab will review associated outcomes of treatment including surgical/anatomical changes, prosthetic needs and reconstruction implications, TMJ dysfunction/trismus, shoulder and neck impairments, pain, radiation fibrosis, lymphedema, cancer related fatigue, deconditioning and nutritional deficits. A focus on the role of the physical therapist in the interprofessional team will include the best available evidence for the evaluation and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.

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

• Describe the common medical management strategies for patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
• Describe the role of the physical therapist as part of the interprofessional team in treating patients with head and neck cancer.
• 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.
• Identify appropriate physical therapy outcome measures for use in the head and neck cancer population.
• Apply hands-on approaches for the management of shoulder and neck impairments, TMJ dysfunction and lymphedema through small lab experiences.

Participants will receive a certificate of participation for 0.8 CEUS (8 contact hours) at the conclusion of the course.

Snacks will be provided and lunch is on your own. Please dress comfortably.

Course Schedule

8:00 am – 6:00 pm

• 7:30 am: Registration
• 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session
• 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch (on your own)
• 1:00 – 6:00 pm: Session/Q&A

Instructor

Bryan A. Spinelli PT, PhD, OCS, CLT-LANA

Biography:

Bryan A. Spinelli is an Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Physical Therapy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (2000) and a Master of Science (2001) from Northeastern University. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy (2016) at Drexel University. Bryan is an American Physical Therapy Association Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and Lymphology Association of North America Certified Lymphedema Therapist. He has experience assisting persons diagnosed with cancer manage neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, lymphedema, fatigue, weakness, deconditioning, and balance deficits. He has lectured, published and/or presented at conferences in the areas of cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema, shoulder biomechanics, and shoulder pain and dysfunction in cancer survivors.