No abstract

Objectives: To provide a consensus statement describing best practices and evidence regarding head and neck cancer survivorship.Methods: Key topics regarding head and neck cancer survivorship were identified by the multidisciplinary membership of the American Head and Neck Society Survivorship, Supportive Care & Rehabilitation Service. Guidelines were generated by combining expert opinion and a review of the literature and categorized by level of evidence.Results: Several areas regarding survivorship including dysphonia, dysphagia, fatigue, chronic pain, intimacy, the ability to return to work, financial toxicity, lymphedema, psycho-oncology, physical activity, and substance abuse were identified and discussed. Additionally, the group identified and described the role of key clinicians in survivorship including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists; dentists; primary care physicians; psychotherapists; as well as physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists. Conclusion:Head and neck cancer survivorship is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach centered around patients and their caregivers. As survival related to head and neck cancer treatment improves, addressing post-treatment concerns appropriately is critically important to our patient's quality of life. There continues to be a need to define effective and efficient programs that can coordinate this multidisciplinary effort toward survivorship.

Hypothyroidism is common after treatment of head and neck cancers. Thyroid function studies should be obtained prior to and at regular intervals after treatment. Prompt recognition and intervention may prevent or reverse adverse physiological outcomes. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of permissive hypothyroidism in the context of treated head and neck malignancies.

Training and credentialing for robotic surgery in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery is currently not standardized, but rather relies heavily on industry guidance. This manuscript represents a comprehensive review of this increasingly important topic and outlines clear recommendations to better standardize the practice. The recommendations provided can be used as a reference by individuals and institutions alike, and are expected to evolve over time.

Spindle cell carcinoma carries a worse prognosis than SCC. Larger tumor size, older age, and metastatic disease portend worse survival with SpCC of the head and neck.

No abstract

Survivors of cancer and cancer-directed therapies may encounter substantial medical, psychosocial, interpersonal, financial, and functional consequences. The collective experience of being a cancer survivor has been dubbed survivorship. As a unique discipline, cancer survivorship has garnered much attention in recent years. However, its constructs have yet to be formally introduced or applied to head and neck oncology. Recognizing this, the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) has convened a committee on survivorship. The concept of survivorship is reviewed and placed into historical perspective to identify current gaps in head and neck survivor care and to provide a roadmap for future initiatives in survivorship care and research.

IOPE reduced costs and limited the number of completion thyroidectomies necessary. IOPE is specific, cost effective, and of minimal additional risk when performed routinely for patients with CFL or FN.