PRINCIPLES OF SPECIFIC TREATMENT AND PALLIATIVE CARE IN ADVANCED HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Abstract

Aim of the study: Most head and neck cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages, when the curative interventions are no longer possible. The assessment and the multidisciplinary therapeutic approach of the locally advanced cases are difficult since the onset of the disease becomes a significant challenge for the whole attending team (including both the patient and his family) because they have to deal with to an extensive symptomatology (abundant secretions, refractory pain, mutilations predominantly in the cephalic area), with the cure of stomas (tracheostomy, gastrostomy) and with various post-therapeutic sequelae. Materials and methods: The head and neck cancer cases are managed by the multidisciplinary committees. We give an example of 54-year-old patient diagnosed with pharyngolaryngeal neoplasm presented to “St. Luca” Chronic Disease Hospital, the Oncology-Palliative Care Department. Results: The present paper reflects the impact of late diagnosis, the complexity of the multimodal specific oncological treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, palliative and terminal treatment), the adaptation of medical care to the psycho-emotional structure. Conclusions: In patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers, besides the specifically oncological therapeutic decisions, the empathic-emotional connection between the medical team with the patient and his family plays a key role in the therapeutic conduct.

Keywords

• head and neck cancer
• multidisciplinary therapeutic approach
• palliative care