An osteopathic approach for a patient with sequela after treatment for a cheek squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Surgical and radiation treatment for head and neck cancer are associated with both chronic and acute pain. While traditional treatment options, commonly antiepileptics and opioids, can be effective, many patients may still experience significant and debilitating pain. This case report describes a 61-year-old woman with a past medical history of spindle type squamous cell carcinoma in the left cheek that metastasized to the left parotid and submandibular glands. She was treated with surgical excision followed by radiation. She presented to the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine clinic with the complaint of severe left sided facial pain, and limited range of motion that resolved with osteopathic manipulation.