Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery
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Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Apr 2010
ReviewThe role of the head and neck surgeon in contemporary multidisciplinary treatment programs for advanced head and neck cancer.
The advent of contemporary multidisciplinary treatment programs for head and neck cancer has led to a shift away from primary surgery for advanced pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas, in favor of concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Although primary surgical resection may no longer be the most commonly selected initial therapy for these patients, the head and neck surgeon should remain a key participant in their multidisciplinary care. We review the various ways in which the head and neck surgeon contributes to the care of these patients. ⋯ Continued involvement by a head and neck surgeon throughout all of the phases of chemoradiation therapy of patients with advanced head and neck cancer should be maintained by the multidisciplinary team.