Challenges and their Implications for the Clinical Practice of Head and Neck Cancer

62.3K

views

197

authors

23

articles

Challenges and their Implications for the Clinical Practice of Head and Neck Cancer

62.3K

views

197

authors

23

articles

Editorial

18 January 2023

Editorial: Challenges and their implications for the clinical practice of head and neck cancer

Markus Wirth

,

Benedikt Schmidl

,

Barbara Wollenberg

and

Steffi Pigorsch

1,115 views

1 citations

Editors

2

Steffi Ulrike Pigorsch

Technical University of Munich

Klinikum rechts der Isar, department of otorhinolaryngology

Impact

Fetching...

About

The treatment of head and neck cancers poses several challenges in the clinical practice. Next to the safe elimination of the cancer, preservation of functionality is paramount. The restoration of functionality is highly complex due to close proximity to relevant anatomical structures and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In advanced tumors, multimodality treatment increases the rate of survival but also leads to a higher occurrence of treatment related side effects. The potential additional survival benefit needs to be balanced against the treatment related side effects. In elderly patients, the quality of life in the course of therapy often determines which modality is chosen. On the other hand, long term treatment related side effects are especially relevant in HPV positive patients due to a better prognosis. Pretreated and frail patients need special considerations since they inherit lower treatment responses in conjunction with a higher probability of side effects. The optimal strategy in these situations has evolved in the last decades due to new treatment modalities becoming available and emerging novel diagnostic methods.

This special edition will provide a comprehensive overview on the challenges in the daily treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. The quality of life and treatment related side effects will be highlighted. Patients groups needing special considerations such as pretreated patients and frail patients will be another focus. The article collection aims to provide detailed analyses of these clinical problems and will derive solution strategies.

Contributions focusing on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and aftercare in these special situations are encouraged. We welcome original research, reviews, and opinion articles.

The treatment of head and neck cancers poses several challenges in the clinical practice. Next to the safe elimination of the cancer, preservation of functionality is paramount. The restoration of functionality is highly complex due to close proximity to relevant anatomical structures and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In advanced tumors, multimodality treatment increases the rate of survival but also leads to a higher occurrence of treatment related side effects. The potential additional survival benefit needs to be balanced against the treatment related side effects. In elderly patients, the quality of life in the course of therapy often determines which modality is chosen. On the other hand, long term treatment related side effects are especially relevant in HPV positive patients due to a better prognosis. Pretreated and frail patients need special considerations since they inherit lower treatment responses in conjunction with a higher probability of side effects. The optimal strategy in these situations has evolved in the last decades due to new treatment modalities becoming available and emerging novel diagnostic methods.

This special edition will provide a comprehensive overview on the challenges in the daily treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. The quality of life and treatment related side effects will be highlighted. Patients groups needing special considerations such as pretreated patients and frail patients will be another focus. The article collection aims to provide detailed analyses of these clinical problems and will derive solution strategies.

Contributions focusing on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and aftercare in these special situations are encouraged. We welcome original research, reviews, and opinion articles.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Steffi Ulrike Pigorsch

Technical University of Munich

Klinikum rechts der Isar, department of otorhinolaryngology

Impact

62,327 Total views

44,248 Article views

17,071 Article downloads

1,008 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Oncology

Head and Neck Cancer

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic