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Kowalski LP. Eugene Nicholas Myers' Lecture on Head and Neck Cancer, 2020: The Surgeon as a Prognostic Factor in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 27:e536-e546. [PMID: 37564472 PMCID: PMC10411134 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper is a transcript of the 29 th Eugene N. Myers, MD International Lecture on Head and Neck Cancer presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) in 2020. By the end of the 19 th century, the survival rate in treated patients was 10%. With the improvements in surgical techniques, currently, about two thirds of patients survive for > 5 years. Teamwork and progress in surgical reconstruction have led to advancements in ablative surgery; the associated adjuvant treatments have further improved the prognosis in the last 30 years. However, prospective trials are lacking; most of the accumulated knowledge is based on retrospective series and some real-world data analyses. Current knowledge on prognostic factors plays a central role in an efficient treatment decision-making process. Although the influence of most tumor- and patient-related prognostic factors in head and neck cancer cannot be changed by medical interventions, some environmental factors-including treatment, decision-making, and quality-can be modified. Ideally, treatment strategy decisions should be taken in dedicated multidisciplinary team meetings. However, evidence suggests that surgeons and hospital volume and specialization play major roles in patient survival after initial or salvage head and neck cancer treatment. The metrics of surgical quality assurance (surgical margins and nodal yield) in neck dissection have a significant impact on survival in head and neck cancer patients and can be influenced by the surgeon's expertise. Strategies proposed to improve surgical quality include continuous performance measurement, feedback, and dissemination of best practice measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz P. Kowalski
- Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Ronen O, Robbins KT, de Bree R, Guntinas-Lichius O, Hartl DM, Homma A, Khafif A, Kowalski LP, López F, Mäkitie AA, Ng WT, Rinaldo A, Rodrigo JP, Sanabria A, Ferlito A. Standardization for oncologic head and neck surgery. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 278:4663-4669. [PMID: 33982178 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-06867-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The inherent variability in performing specific surgical procedures for head and neck cancer remains a barrier for accurately assessing treatment outcomes, particularly in clinical trials. While non-surgical modalities for cancer therapeutics have evolved to become far more uniform, there remains the challenge to standardize surgery. The purpose of this review is to identify the barriers in achieving uniformity and to highlight efforts by surgical groups to standardize selected operations and nomenclature. While further improvements in standardization will remain a challenge, we must encourage surgical groups to focus on strategies that provide such a level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohad Ronen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Galilee Medical Center, Affiliated with Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
| | - K Thomas Robbins
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University Medical School, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Remco de Bree
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Phoniatry/Pedaudiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Dana M Hartl
- Head and Neck Oncology Service, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Akihiro Homma
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Avi Khafif
- Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Unit, A.R.M. Center for Advanced Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Luiz P Kowalski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando López
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias-ISPA, Oviedo, Spain.,University of Oviedo-IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain.,Head and Neck Cancer Unit, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wai Tong Ng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias-ISPA, Oviedo, Spain.,University of Oviedo-IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain.,Head and Neck Cancer Unit, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Sanabria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia/Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Medellín, Colombia.,CEXCA Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades de Cabeza Y Cuello, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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Takes RP, Halmos GB, Ridge JA, Bossi P, Merkx MAW, Rinaldo A, Sanabria A, Smeele LE, Mäkitie AA, Ferlito A. Value and Quality of Care in Head and Neck Oncology. Curr Oncol Rep 2020; 22:92. [PMID: 32651680 PMCID: PMC7351804 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-020-00952-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The concept of value-based health care (VBHC) was articulated more than a decade ago. However, its clinical implementation remains an on-going process and a particularly demanding one for the domain of head and neck cancer (HNC). These cancers often present with fast growing tumors in functionally and cosmetically sensitive sites and afflict patients with differing circumstances and comorbidity. Moreover, the various treatment modalities and protocols have different effects on functional outcomes. Hence, the interpretation of what constitutes VBHC in head and neck oncology remains challenging. RECENT FINDINGS This monograph reviews developments in specific aspects of VBHC for HNC patients, including establishment of registries and quality indices (such as infrastructure, process, and outcome indicators). It emphasizes the importance of the multidisciplinary team, "time to treatment intervals," and adherence to guidelines. The discussion addresses major indicators including survival, quality of life and functional outcomes, and adverse events. Also, strengths and weaknesses of nomograms, prognostic and decision models, and variation of care warrant attention. Health care professionals, together with patients, must properly define quality and relevant outcomes, both for the individual patient as well as the HNC population. It is essential to capture and organize the relevant data so that they can be analyzed and the results used to improve both outcomes and value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Takes
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Gyorgy B Halmos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - John A Ridge
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paolo Bossi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matthias A W Merkx
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alvaro Sanabria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundacion. CEXCA Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades de Cabeza y Cuello, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ludi E Smeele
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alfio Ferlito
- International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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Trama A, Botta L, Foschi R, Visser O, Borras JM, Žagar T, Primic-Žakelj M, Bella F, Dimitrova N, Gatta G, Licitra L. Quality of Care Indicators for Head and Neck Cancers: The Experience of the European Project RARECAREnet. Front Oncol 2019; 9:837. [PMID: 31555591 PMCID: PMC6722861 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Monitoring and improving quality of cancer care has become pivotal today. This is especially relevant for head and neck cancers since the disease is complex, it needs multi therapy, patients tend to be older, they tend to have comorbidities and limited social support. However, information on quality of care for head and neck cancers is scarce. In the context of the project "Information Network on Rare Cancers" we aimed to identify indicators of quality of care specific for the head and neck cancers management and to measure the quality of care for head and neck cancers in different EU Member States. Methods: We defined indicators of quality of care for head and neck cancers based on a multidisciplinary and expert-based consensus process at a European level. To test the proposed indicators, we performed an observational population-based retrospective study in four countries (Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Slovenia) in the years 2009-2011. Results: The main quality indicators identified are: availability of formalized multidisciplinary team, participation in clinical and translational research; timeliness of care, high quality of surgery and radiotherapy, and of pathological reporting. For head and neck cancers, the quality of care did not reach the optimal standards in most of the countries analyzed. A high proportion of patients was diagnosed at an advanced disease stage, showed delays in starting treatment (especially for radiotherapy), and there was only a very limited use of multi therapy. Conclusions: According to the achieved consensus, indicators of quality of care for head and neck cancers have to cover the patient journey (i.e., diagnosis and treatment). Our results, showed suboptimal quality of care across countries and call for solutions for ensuring good quality of care for head and neck cancer patients in all EU countries. One possible option might be to refer head and neck cancer patients to specialized centers or to networks including specialized centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Trama
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Botta
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Foschi
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Otto Visser
- Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Josep Maria Borras
- Department of Clinical Sciences, The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tina Žagar
- Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Primic-Žakelj
- Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Francesca Bella
- Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Siracusa-Enna, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy
| | - Nadya Dimitrova
- National Hospital of Oncology, Bulgarian National Cancer Registry, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Gemma Gatta
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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