Video Viewpoint Strategy Session: Optimizing Treatment and Functional Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Gain expert insight on emerging treatment approaches for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, incuding the safety and tolerabilty of emerging treatments, survivorship care, and much more. This activity is presented by leading experts, Barbara Burtness, MD, Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and Lynsey Teulings, NP, Nurse Practitioner at Yale School of Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital. Start the activity now.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a heterogeneous group of tumors that originate in the lip/oral cavity, hypopharynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx. An estimated 66,630 new cases are diagnosed in the United States annually, and 14,620 people die of the disease (Siegel et al, 2021). Historically, HNSCC has been associated with tobacco and alcohol use; however, infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is now recognized as a causative factor for a growing subset of tumors (NCCN, 2020; Chaturvedi et al, 2011). Human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal carcinoma is a distinct entity in terms of etiology, biology, and clinical behavior; importantly, it has a more favorable prognosis and might require less intensive therapy. Despite advances and innovations in multimodality treatment and improved understanding of head and neck carcinogenesis, death rates are increasing for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx overall (0.5% increase per year from 2009 to 2018), and the prognosis for recurrent/metastatic HNSCC remains poor (Siegel et al, 2021; Chang et al, 2017; Pisani et al, 2020).

TARGET AUDIENCE

Medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, oncology nurses, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to
Differentiate the prognostic implications of HPV-associated versus HPV-negative HNSCC and their impact on the importance of function preservation
Assess recent clinical trial data on novel therapeutic approaches for locally advanced and recurrent/metastatic HNSCC
Evaluate strategies to enhance the safety and tolerability of HNSCC treatment and ensure optimal survivorship care