• Xinyuan Xue, Amerull Azman, Cuicui Zhang, Yangjia Chen, Jun Ni, and Zhi-Yong Wang.
• Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Nov 8; 103 (45): e40338e40338.

RationaleSurgical intervention for synchronous head-and-neck and esophageal cancers often results in complex dysphagia, significantly affecting postoperative quality of life. Swallowing dysfunction may become permanent or worsen, with potential impacts on noncancer-related mortality.Patient ConcernsWe report a rare case of multiple synchronous squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (tonsillar and epiglottic cancer) along with esophageal cancer, presenting for dysphagia rehabilitation following surgery.DiagnosesComprehensive evaluations-including magnetic resonance imaging, laryngoscopy, gastroscopy, and histopathology-led to diagnoses of left tonsil cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T2N2bM0), epiglottic cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T1N2bM0), and lower esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T2N0M0). Postoperative videofluoroscopic swallowing study identified an anastomotic stricture at the level of the fifth cervical vertebra.InterventionsThe patient underwent an 8-week rehabilitation program incorporating stretching exercises, swallowing behavior therapy, super-supraglottic swallow techniques, catheter balloon dilation, electrical stimulation, and respiratory therapy.OutcomesFollowing rehabilitation, the patient was able to resume partial oral intake without aspiration, with significant improvement in anastomotic stricture and swallowing function.LessonsThis case of dysphagia underscores the anastomotic stenosis resulting from oncological surgical intervention. Dysphagia is a frequent complication in patients with synchronous head-and-neck and esophageal cancers. Comprehensive rehabilitation and assessment of swallowing function enabled safe oral intake postoperatively in this patient.Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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