French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines for care pathway organization in head and neck oncology (short version). Early management of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Early management in oncology is based on coordination and high-quality exchange between the various health-care partners. The present guidelines are based on a literature search with levels of evidence. Treatment waiting time can be optimized by performing assessment as early as possible (Expert opinion), to limit the interval (ideally, less than 4 weeks) between first consultation and data collection. In the first specialist consultation, diagnostic work-up should be scheduled and the data required for management should be determined (Grade B). Work-up may be conducted on a day-care basis or with conventional admission (Expert opinion). The patient's medico-social context should be taken into account from the outset, with social work involvement whenever necessary (Expert opinion). Pain and nutritional management should be planned for (Grade A) and realistic therapeutic education be provided (Expert opinion). Community-hospital teamwork for supportive care should be optimized (Expert opinion). Management should be early and multidisciplinary, to shorten delay between diagnosis and treatment initiation.

The Danish Head and Neck Cancer fast-track program: a tertiary cancer centre experience

“…According to existing literature, only a few other European nations have commenced the establishment of HNC fast-track programs, notably in Spain and France [21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

Paradoxes of the French health care system

“…Organization of the initial care pathway in head and neck cancer was defined in the 2015 Société Franc¸ aise d'ORL (SFORL) guidelines [1]. Some guidelines appear to be contradictory, by proposing personalized medicine, while requiring compliance with the principle of standardization, designed to ensure evidence-based medicine, based on real facts and convincing data.…”