Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in Canada. The majority of head and neck cancers (∼90 %) are squamous cell carcinomas, and most patients (∼60 %) are diagnosed with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-SCCHN). Surgery is preferable in oral cavity cancer and T4 cases of larynx cancer. Surgery for oropharyngeal cancer is an option when the neck is clinically negative in order to avoid radiotherapy. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal cancers represent distinct entities compared to HPV-unrelated oropharyngeal cancers. Chemoradiation as an organ preservation approach is often selected as the treatment of choice in oropharyngeal cancer. Ongoing research and clinical trials continue to refine our understanding of LA-SCCHN and pharmacotherapeutic treatment options, offering the potential to change practice and improve patient outcomes.
This program has received an unrestricted educational grant or in-kind support from EMD Serono.
