The heterogeneity in the practice of diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is known and expected to be inversely correlated with the level of evidence on a given topic. Literature on various aspects of management of HNSCC were previously published, but were usually restricted within narrow foci. Due to the lack of a similar comprehensive work published so far, the Head and Neck Cancer Working Group of Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) decided to perform a survey covering the whole spectrum of controversial topics concerning the diagnosis and the treatment of HNSCC among its member institutions. This survey was designed to discuss current diagnostic and treatment strategies for HNSCC of all localizations, and to find out probable differences and level of consensus between the participating academic institutions by means of a questionnaire-based pattern of care study. The items in the survey was generated with a scored voting system by inclusion of all involved centers, and divided into four sections, each of them not exceeding twenty questions: head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and biomarkers. Surely, the topics and questions were intentionally chosen from controversial areas. Nonetheless, the lack of major consensus in most queried areas provide an insight to head and neck oncologist in terms of the scope of heterogeneity in their practice. Although none of the participated centers being plainly wrong, it is still disturbing to see, that a patient may be treated with quite discrepant diagnostic and treatment concepts even in a relatively small country adhering to up to date evidence based medicine. We believe that this work will serve the head and neck oncologists to be aware of their discrepancies and to stimulate discussion toward standardization of practice and prioritize topics of future clinical research.

Cases in Head and Neck Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach encompasses rich material and resources that demonstrate the complex interface between the diagnostic and clinical information necessary to successfully manage patients with head and neck cancer. This must-read book contains cases written by leading experts in the field that cover a wide variety of head and neck cancers (i.e., tongue base, tonsil, laryngeal, HPV related, etc.) and treatment options, including minimally invasive surgery such as robotic surgery and combined modality treatment protocols. Specifically, this text addresses comprehensive cases from initial evaluation, diagnosis, imaging, and other physiological tests to multidisciplinary treatment management (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy). Additionally, approaches for the management of toxicities or morbidities of cancer treatment are presented, as well as care plans, discharge plans, and caregiver burden and survivorship issues. Moreover, material on health literacy, humanistic care, and improving communication with assistive technology has been included. Written by clinicians specializing in speech-language pathology, otolaryngology, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, nurse case management, radiology, dietics, among other fields, this collection of authors provides one of the most complete presentations of the inner workings of the multidisciplinary care team. The adult cases of head and neck cancer reviewed in this text exemplify current practice issues surrounding HPV, minimally invasive robotic surgery and combined modality treatments. Each author threads introductory comments throughout the cases illustrating the critical role of the speech-language pathologist, in particular, and how all clinicians must address coping with survivorship and caregiver burden issues. Cases in Head and Neck Cancer intends to teach future medical practitioners how to approach the complexities associated with head and neck cancer. Its vast number of images and videos allow for experiential driven classroom activities. This text will be an invaluable resource for the education of speech-language pathologists, medical students, nurse care managers, dieticians, and any person involved in a head and neck cancer team.

This is an open access book. With a wealth of exciting data emerging in this rapidly evolving field this book will review the state-of-the-art knowledge with emphasis on multidisciplinary decision and management of head and neck cancer. The book provides significant detail on a wide range of topics including: the role of new targets for treatment, immunotherapy, resistance mechanisms, standardizing molecular profiling programs, and new methods to guide therapeutic approaches. In addition different disease situations are addressed including different treatment approaches in primary disease and in recurrent and/or metastatic disease as well as new developments in pathology, surgery and reconstruction techniques, new systemic therapies in salivary gland cancer, and supportive care and follow-up. All disciplines involved in the treatment of head & neck cancer are covered with a focus on translation into daily practice. The 8th-THNO is designed for medical oncologists, head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, otolaryngologists, and other medical professionals involved in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.

This book is a multidisciplinary guide to head and neck cancer.Head and neck cancer remains one of the most technically complex cancer subsites to manage. This field involves highly specialized, multidisciplinary management and collaboration amongst surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other health disciplines. The clinical and research landscape for head and neck oncology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This multidisciplinary book provides the latest updates in the contemporary understanding and management of these tumors. The text incorporates updates in surgical techniques (minimally invasive and robotic techniques, reconstructive approaches), radiation medicine (new data on dose and fields, oligometastatic/oligoprogressive disease, retreatment), medical oncology (targeted, immunotherapy and molecular agents), in addition to other overarching topics such as side effects, biomarkers/nanotechnology, and epidemiology. Written by experts in their respective fields, chapters include the most up to date scientific and clinical information with perspectives from each relevant subspeciality. These sections are concise and accessible, yet comprehensive. Palliative medicine, pathologic and imaging principles, and health systems/economics considerations are also described. This book is an ideal resource for clinicians, trainees, and researchers dealing with, and interested in, this challenging malignancy.

This book identifies key treatment challenges and unique care considerations in patients with head and neck cancers, providing a comprehensive guide to patient management that illustrates the critical importance of a multidisciplinary approach in achieving optimal oncological, functional, and survival outcomes. It covers all relevant specialties, including dental and oral medicine, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and reconstructive surgery. It highlights the vital role played by ancillary head and neck cancer services, such as speech and swallowing therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and nutritional therapy in offering essential physical and psychological support from the time of diagnosis onward. The closing chapters address post-treatment issues, including those relating to survivorship, surveillance, and end-of-life care. Multidisciplinary care is perhaps even more important for patients with head and neck cancers than for other cancer patients, and in addressing all its aspects this book is invaluable for a wide range of practitioners.

​This second edition ​provides a comprehensive view of consolidated and innovative concepts, in terms of both diagnosis and treatment. Written by leading international physicians and investigators, this book emphasizes the necessity of combining local and systemic treatments to achieve the objective of yielding higher cure rates and lower toxicities. Heavily updated from the previous edition, it highlights new surgery and radiotherapy techniques, disease awareness, patient quality of life, and comprehensive management. Head-and-neck cancers are a complex clinical entity and their response to treatment is also known to vary markedly in function of host-related factors. Notwithstanding the impressive progresses observed in the field of imaging, head and neck cancers are often diagnosed at a late stage and the presence of locally advanced disease in a significant number of patients implies the use of aggressive treatments in order to both ensure local disease control and reduce distant metastasis risks. In comparison with the first edition, Head and Neck Cancer, Second Edition provides a detailed update of innovative concepts in chemo- and bio-radiation, viral infection impact on tumor growth and response to treatment, and impact of tumor- and host-related factors on treatment outcome.

This issue of Otolaryngologic Clinics, guest edited by Dr. Maie St. John, is devoted to Multidisciplinary Approach to Head and Neck Cancer. Articles in this issue include: It Takes a Village - The Import of Multidisciplinary Care; The Role of the Patient: Shared Decision Making; A Story in Black and White: Radiologic Evaluation in the Multi-Disciplinary Setting; Beyond the Glass Slide: Pathology Review in the Multi-Disciplinary Setting; Surgical Innovations; It Takes Two - One Resects, One Reconstructs; Advances in Radiation Oncology: What to Consider; Precision Medicine: Genomic Profiles to Individualize Therapy; The Role of Systemic Treatment Before, During, and After Definitive Treatment; Decision Making for Diagnosis and Management: A Consensus Comes to Life; On Pain; Psychosocial Distress and Screening; First We Eat, Then We Do Everything Else: Nutrition; Functional Assessment and Rehabilitation: How to Maximize Outcomes; Survivorship - Morbidity, Mortality, Malignancy; and Immunotherapy: Who is Eligible?