Develop Guidelines to Improve Treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
India needs to develop consensus guidelines to enhance the outcome for head and neck cancer in India, stated oncology experts. There is a need to focus on functional rehabilitation and quality of life for this condition which accounts for 30% of all cancers. In India, 60 to 80 percent of patients present with advanced disease as compared to 40 percent in developed countries.
Having seen improvements in oncology outcomes in recent years, the focus today is on uplifting the functional and quality of life requirements of patients. In view of this, endoscopic resections, robotic surgery, dental implants, advances in radiation techniques, targeted therapy, molecular markers, and other techniques are being incorporated with the intention to improve functional outcomes, stated the oncologists.
At the second edition of CANCON 2018, organized by Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, Dr. Vikram D. Kekatpure, senior consultant, head and neck surgical oncology, Cytecare Cancer Hospital, said, “There is a need to develop consensus guidelines for a holistic approach to improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients, with greater emphasis on functional rehabilitation and quality of life.”
The annual event witnessed participation from over 250 delegates and faculty, who deliberated over a period of two days on ‘Improving Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer – Oncological, Functional and Beyond’.
Cytecare organized the event in association with The Foundation for Head & Neck Oncology, Association of Otolaryngologists India Bangalore Chapter, Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India Karnataka State Chapter and The Indian Dental Association. The deliberations were around establishing consensus guidelines to improve outcomes in head & neck cancer.
The faculty included leaders of national and international repute, including Dr. Anil D’Cruz, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. Subramania Iyer, AIMS, Kochi, Dr. P. Arun, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, and Dr. Alok Thakar, professor, AIIMS, New Delhi. Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon, TMH, Mumbai spoke on the pressing need to reduce tobacco use and the burden of tobacco-related diseases.
The conference saw symposiums on subjects such as oral cavity cancer, laryngeal-pharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, paranasal sinus and skull base tumours and head and neck reconstruction, targeted therapy, rehabilitation and supportive care. Residents, trainers, practicing surgeons and physicians of head and neck cancer specialty who attended the event were awarded 12 CDE and 4 CME points.
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