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Review
. 2021 Nov 30;7(1):70-92.
doi: 10.1002/lio2.702. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Head and neck cancer survivorship consensus statement from the American Head and Neck Society

Neerav Goyal  1 , Andrew Day  2 , Joel Epstein  3   4 , Joseph Goodman  5 , Evan Graboyes  6 , Scharukh Jalisi  7 , Ana P Kiess  8 , Jamie A Ku  9 , Matthew C Miller  10 , Aru Panwar  11 , Vijay A Patel  12 , Assuntina Sacco  13 , Vlad Sandulache  14 , Amy M Williams  15 , Daniel Deschler  16 , D Gregory Farwell  17 , Cherie-Ann Nathan  18 , Carole Fakhry  19 , Nishant Agrawal  20
Affiliations
Review

Head and neck cancer survivorship consensus statement from the American Head and Neck Society

Neerav Goyal et al. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. .

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a consensus statement describing best practices and evidence regarding head and neck cancer survivorship.

Methods: Key topics regarding head and neck cancer survivorship were identified by the multidisciplinary membership of the American Head and Neck Society Survivorship, Supportive Care & Rehabilitation Service. Guidelines were generated by combining expert opinion and a review of the literature and categorized by level of evidence.

Results: Several areas regarding survivorship including dysphonia, dysphagia, fatigue, chronic pain, intimacy, the ability to return to work, financial toxicity, lymphedema, psycho-oncology, physical activity, and substance abuse were identified and discussed. Additionally, the group identified and described the role of key clinicians in survivorship including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists; dentists; primary care physicians; psychotherapists; as well as physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists.

Conclusion: Head and neck cancer survivorship is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach centered around patients and their caregivers. As survival related to head and neck cancer treatment improves, addressing post-treatment concerns appropriately is critically important to our patient's quality of life. There continues to be a need to define effective and efficient programs that can coordinate this multidisciplinary effort toward survivorship.

Keywords: consensus statement; head and neck cancer; survivorship.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A proposed timeline depicting the timing of the different assessments suggested by these guidelines
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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