Swallowing Disorders Program

After patients receive treatment for head and neck cancer, they may develop swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). This condition can be a very distressing side effect of treatment, greatly affecting your quality of life.

At UCLA we have world class expertise in treating patients with swallowing disorders. Our Swallowing Disorders Program is dedicated to maintaining and improving your swallowing function after cancer treatment.

Swallowing Disorders Program at UCLA

The Swallowing Disorders Program in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA has extensive experience managing patients with dysphagia from head and neck cancer treatment.  The head and neck surgeons of the program work closely with speech language pathologists to evaluate, manage, and improve swallowing in head and neck cancer patients.

The Swallowing Disorders Program has developed novel and effective ways to treat dysphagia after cancer treatment. 

• The Program has demonstrated one of the highest success rates in the world in early diagnosis and treatment of stenosis (narrowing) of the pharynx and esophagus after head and neck cancer treatment.
  View abstract on PubMed >
• The Program has one of the largest experiences in endoscopically treating cricopharyngeal muscle disorders after head and neck cancer treatment.
  View abstract on PubMed >
• The Program developed a novel surgery to treat epiglottic dysfunction after head and neck cancer treatment.
  View abstract on Pubmed >
• Through the program, we provide long-term monitoring and preservation of swallowing function in our head and neck cancer patients. 
  See abstract on PubMed >

Swallowing Disorders Appointments

• Contact Us >
• Phone: (310) 794-4225

Learn more:
Visit Swallowing Disorders Program page for further information >