Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Consensus Statement from the American Head and Neck Society

Overview

Journal Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2022 Feb 14

PMID 35155786

Authors

Neerav Goyal

Andrew Day

Joel Epstein

Joseph Goodman

Evan Graboyes

Scharukh Jalisi

Ana P Kiess

Jamie A Ku

Matthew C. Miller

Aru Panwar

Vijay A Patel

Assuntina Sacco

Vlad Sandulache

Amy M Williams

Daniel Deschler

D Gregory Farwell

Cherie-Ann Nathan

Carole Fakhry

Nishant Agrawal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

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