After Treatment

After treatment for oral or oropharyngeal cancer ends, talk with your doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your recovery for the coming months and years. People treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer should receive regular follow-up medical and dental examinations to check for signs of recurrent cancer or a secondary cancer (a different type of cancer).

Most recurrences of oral and oropharyngeal cancer happen in the first two or three years after diagnosis, so follow-up visits will be more frequent in the years immediately following treatment. A common follow-up schedule is every two months for the first year, every four months for the second year, every six months for the third year, and once a year thereafter. If recurrent cancer is found, testing and treatment must begin again. If surgery or radiation therapy may have affected the person’s thyroid gland, thyroid function tests should be part of follow-up care testing. Special dental care may also be needed to manage or avoid long-term dental problems due to the cancer or its treatment.

People treated for oral and oropharyngeal cancer have a higher risk of developing secondary cancers. Researchers are evaluating the benefits of chemotherapy to prevent second cancers from developing, called chemoprevention.

If you smoke, it is important to be monitored for possible second cancers in the lung, esophagus, and head and neck, even without recurrence of the initial cancer. This is one of the reasons for medical follow-up. Enrolling in prevention clinical trials may also be an option.

Rehabilitation is a major part of follow-up care after head and neck cancer treatment. People may receive physical therapy, and speech and swallowing therapy. Supportive care to manage symptoms and maintain nutrition during treatment may be recommended. Some people may need to learn new ways to eat or to eat foods prepared differently.

Any treatment for oral and oropharyngeal cancer will make swallowing normal food more difficult. Special nutritional care and support is often needed during treatment and immediately following treatment, while the local reaction to the treatment, such as swelling of tissues, subsides. Speech pathologists can assist people in regaining their normal functions, which becomes an important part of treatment planning and rehabilitation.

Depending on the size and location of the tumor and the type of cancer treatment selected, the abilities to chew and move the food through the mouth and pharynx to the stomach may be impaired. If the cancer treatment changes oral structures or limits their movement, speech will become more difficult to understand. Pre-treatment evaluation of speech and swallowing abilities are necessary to maximize post-treatment functioning and quality of life. 

People may look different, feel tired, and be unable to talk or eat the way they used to. Many people experience depression. The health-care team can help people adjust and connect them with both physical and emotional support services. Again, it is important that people meet with all members of the multidisciplinary team before their head and neck cancer treatment begins (see Treatment).

People recovering from oral and oropharyngeal cancer are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and having recommended cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for your needs. Moderate physical activity can help rebuild your strength and energy level. Your doctor can help you create an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Learn more about Healthy Living After Cancer.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: After Treatment.