Comprehensive Management of Head and Neck Cancer, the Long-term Quality of Life

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The management of head and neck cancer remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly given its profound impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Selecting the most appropriate treatment strategy requires careful consideration, as therapeutic approaches and long-term outcomes vary substantially depending on tumor location. This symposium will highlight how three distinct types of head and neck cancer correspond to different primary treatment modalities and how these differences shape QoL outcomes. For instance, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is typically treated with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (RT or CCRT), will be contrasted with hypopharyngeal cancer, where upfront surgery and radiotherapy represent key options, and oral cavity cancer, which is predominantly treated with surgery. The implications of these variations in treatment on both survival and QoL will be discussed.
Rather than focusing solely on a regional perspective, this symposium will adopt a broader, multidisciplinary, and cross-continental approach to facilitate global relevance. The QoL outcomes in these cancers are closely tied to their treatment modalities, potentially yielding distinct patterns and considerations. The first part of the program will explore the QoL outcomes of nasopharyngeal cancer treatment, particularly comparing IMPT and conventional therapy. The second part will delve into the survival and QoL impacts of different primary treatments for hypopharyngeal cancer, including upfront surgery versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The third part will examine QoL issues after oral cavity cancer treatment, offering insights into how site-specific treatment strategies influence post-treatment QoL. This comprehensive approach aims to illuminate the interplay between survival considerations and QoL priorities, which may differ across these three cancer types.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Analyze how treatment modalities for nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and oral cavity cancers impact QoL differently.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Identify survival and QoL considerations across diverse head and neck cancer sites and treatment strategies.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Understand the role of site-specific treatment approaches in shaping both survival and QoL outcomes.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Striking a balance between treatment efficacy and quality of life is a fundamental challenge in head and neck oncology. Examining the interplay of survival and QoL across different treatment modalities and tumor sites is crucial for optimal clinical decision-making.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : NA