Head and neck cancers account for approximately 4% of all cancers in the United States.1 Referred to collectively as head and neck cancers, these squamous cell carcinomas can develop in or around the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), nose, sinuses, and salivary glands—however mouth, throat, or voice box cancer are the most diagnosed among all head and neck cancers.1
As alcohol and tobacco use (including secondhand smoke and smokeless “chewing” tobacco) are two of the most common risk factors for development of head and neck cancers, there is often a stigma or shame associated with patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers, adding an additional layer of psychosocial distress for patients. However, head and neck cancers may also develop in nonsmokers, due to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), occupational or industrial exposure to wood dust or other particles or fibers, radiation exposure, Epstein-Barr virus infection, ancestry, or other underlying genetic disorders.1 Patients with head and neck cancers may also experience significant challenges and distress associated with disease symptoms, difficulty eating, difficulty communicating, and other psychosocial factors that can reduce their quality of life.
If detected early, approximately 80% of individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancers can survive.2 Advances in treatment and a multimodal approach (that may include surgery, radiation therapy, systemic medical therapy with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy) are improving outcomes, however access to therapies and effective multimodal care coordination remains a challenge.
While recent advances in treatment are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, multidisciplinary care models and strategies to address psychosocial support for patients and caregivers can significantly improve care. ACCC explores current practices in clinical treatment of head and neck cancer and highlights effective approaches to utilizing multimodal care coordination across various practice settings.
In recognition of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month this April, ACCC urges health care professionals to actively engage in education efforts, champion screening initiatives, and address persistent disparities in access to head and neck cancer care.
In recognition of April as Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, ACCCBuzz analyzes insurance coverage for patients with head and neck cancers.
Vickie Yattaw, RN, OCN, oncology education and support services manager at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, shares insights on a recent annual oral health screening event.
In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS, clinical oncology social worker at UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, clinical oncology social worker at David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital, about providing optimal psychosocial support for this patient population.
While advancements in oral medicine are improving the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer, routine dental care and preventative oral cancer screenings can help identify head and neck cancers early. In this episode, Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry at Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute, emphasizes the proactive role dentists can play in early identification of cancer—as well as the need for equitable access to dental care—and explores how a cross-disciplinary cancer care team and patient education work in tandem to better manage complications from head and neck treatment.
Recent advancements in treatment and a multimodal approach to care are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, however access to therapies and unique patient challenges due to disease symptoms, difficulty eating, difficulty communicating, and other psychosocial factors can reduce patient quality of life.
Presented at Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO) Live 2024 in Grapevine, Texas.
This is a visual representation of an online publication from the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting, May 31 – June 4, 2024.
