Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can lead to short- and long-term side effects that impact swallowing, speech, nutrition, dental care, and overall quality of life. This session will explore common late effects experienced by survivors and discuss practical strategies to improve functional wellness after treatment. Attendees will learn about survivorship care approaches, rehabilitation options, and supportive resources that can help survivors maintain health, independence, and quality of life long after radiation therapy ends.

MODERATOR:

Eleni Rettig, MD Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School | Head & Neck Surgeon, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | Director of Clinical Operations, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Center for Head and Neck Oncology | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

MEDICAL PANELISTS:

Danielle Margalit, MD, MPH | Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School | Radiation Oncologist, Head & Neck Oncology Program, Dana Farber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center | Mass General Brigham (MGB)/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Tessa Goldsmith, MA CCC-SLP | Director, Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Program | Mass Eye & Ear

Denise McIntosh, PT, CLT-Lana Physical Therapist | Beth Israel Lahey Hospital

Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH | Chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology and Dentistry | Miami Cancer Institute

DOWNLOAD SLIDES: https://www.headandneck.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Session-1.-Survivorship-Care-Radiation.pdf