Consensus recommendations for management of head and neck cancer in Asian countries: A review of international guidelines

A. D'Cruz, T. Lin, A. K. Anand, D. Atmakusuma, M. J. Calaguas, I. Chitapanarux, B. C. Cho, B. C. Goh, Y. Guo, W. S. Hsieh, C. Hu, D. Kwong, J. C. Lin, P. J. Lou, T. Lu, K. Prabhash, V. Sriuranpong, P. Tang, V. V. Vu, I. WahidK. K. Ang, A. T. Chan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a disease of the upper aerodigestive tract and is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. A high rate of cancers involving the head and neck are reported across the Asian region, with notable variations between countries. Disease prognosis is largely dependent on tumor stage and site. Patients with early stage disease have a 60-95% chance of cure with local therapy. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important to increase the likelihood of cure and survival. However, the majority of patients present with locally advanced disease and require multimodality treatment. This necessitates, a multidisciplinary approach which is essential to make appropriate treatment decisions, particularly with regards to tolerability, costs, available infrastructure and quality of life issues. Unfortunately, majority of the studies that dictate current practice have been developed in the west where diseases biology, patient population and available infrastructure are very different from those in the Asian continent. With this in mind an expert panel of Head and Neck Oncologists was convened in May 2012 to review the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) clinical practice guidelines and develop practical recommendations on the applicability of these guidelines on the management of head and neck cancer for Asian patients. The objective of this review and consensus meeting was to suggest revisions, to account for potential differences in demographics and resources, to the NCCN and ESMO guidelines, to better reflect current clinical management of head and neck cancer within the Asian region for health care providers. These recommendations, which reflect best clinical practice within Asia, are expected to benefit practitioners when making decisions regarding optimal treatment strategies for their patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)872-877
Number of pages6
JournalOral Oncology
Volume49
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Asia
  • Guidelines
  • Head and neck cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oral Surgery
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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