Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care

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.