World Pathology Week

Biography

Amber Valentine is a Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from the University of Kentucky with her MS in Communication Disorders.  She is a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.  She recently received her credentials to become a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT).  She worked for Baptist Health Systems, Inc for 8 years before moving to Florida where she worked for Wolfsons Children’s Hospital and Mayo Florida.  She is now back in Kentucky working for Baptist Health Lexington.  She has experience in adults and pediatrics with feeding and swallowing difficulties including:  bedside swallow evaluations, Modified Barium Swallow studies, FEES, and pediatric feeding evaluations including NICU.  She has experience with head and neck cancer patient including evaluation and treatment of swallowing difficulties, PMV use, and voice after total laryngectomy including TEP.  She has provided guest lectures for the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville on feeding and swallowing topics. She has presented at the hospital level, local, state, national, and international levels on pediatric feeding/swallowing and breastfeeding. 

Abstract

Cancer diagnostic and treatment has evolved into more organ preservation including increased chemo and radiation therapy as well as decreased incident of organ removal.  The field of Speech-Langauage Pathology has been diagnosing and treating deficits related to head and neck cancer for many years.  Over this time, diagnosis and treatment includes areas such as cognitive/communication difficulties and swallowing deficits related to cancer, radiation, and weakness associated with the disease process.  Many are unaware that radiation treatment to the head and neck area can cause lasting swallowing deficits.  It is imperative to begin evaluation of swallowing during diagnosis process to obtain baseline swallowing function and continue to evaluate throughout treatments.  It is also indicative to provide prophalatic dysphagia exercises to help assist patient in maintaining swallowing function as long as possible.  The other area of concern that the SLP will assist in cancer diagnosis and treatment is voice after total laryngectomy.  There are very limited options for funcitonal communication after a total laryngectomy, most are nearly improbable and very inconvenient.  The most functional is use of a Tracheo-esophageal voice prosthesis.  The SLP can assist in the evaluation and treatment process of voice after total with fitting and continual management of the TEP for the patient.  The procedure of the tracheo-esophageal puncture as well as fitting of the prosthesis also allows the patient to have complete recovery of swallowing function.