Current Approaches to Salvage Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Salvage surgeries of head and neck cancer are often complicated and do not always show decent results. This type of procedure is tough on the patient, as many crucial organs can be affected. A long period of reeducation usually follows the surgery because of the need to rehabilitate functions such as speech or swallowing. In order to lighten the journey of the patients, it is important to develop new technologies and techniques to ease the surgery and limit its damages. This seems even more crucial since progress has been made in the past years, allowing more salvage therapy to take place. This article aims at showing the available tools and procedures for salvage surgeries, such as transoral robotic surgery, free-flap surgery, sentinel node mapping, and many others, that help the work of the medical team to operate or obtain a better understanding of the status of the cancer when taken in charge. Yet, the surgical procedure is not the only thing determining the outcome of the operation. The patient themself and their cancer history also play an important part in the care and must be acknowledged.

Role of transoral robotic surgery in the salvage setting: pitfalls and challenges

“…Emerging evidence suggests there may be a role for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx) in head and neck cancer [37,38] . Kulcsar et al describe utilizing SLNBx for early-stage OPSCC with clinically N0 neck disease as a minimally invasive option [39] . Particularly in salvage surgery, SLNBx provides an opportunity to obtain locoregional control while minimizing morbidity and postoperative complications [40] .…”

A potential cure for tumor‐associated immunosuppression by Toxoplasma gondii

“… 4 When it comes to advanced‐stage cancers, surgery may not be a viable option, even if it is effective for localized tumors. 5 The advent of immunotherapy, on the other hand, has instilled fresh optimism in cancer treatment. 6 Through immunotherapy, the immune system is stimulated to fight off cancer cells.…”