Author: Eugene N. Myers

Publisher:

Published: 1986

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13:

This monograph is the result of a workshop entitled "Head and Neck Cancer : Integration of Treatment and Rehabilitation," which was held in January 1984 and sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The purpose of the workshop was to review past research directions focused on head and neck cancer and set new goals where appropriate. As discussed at the meeting, the goal of integrating treatment and rehabilitation is to prevent or minimize the physical (cosmetic or functional) disability and the emotional sequelae commonly associated with head and neck cancer and its treatment. The meeting afforded an opportunity for a diverse group of professionals to exchange ideas and information on effective and desirable methods of treatment and rehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients. Papers were presented and discussions were held with the aim of identifying and resolving some of the problems faced by those who make treatment decisions and provide care for these patients. This workshop highlighted the need for an integration of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation planning at the time of initial treatment for head and neck cancer. It also demonstrated major deficiencies in objective outcome measures used to assess physiological and social function over and above the usual measures of patient survival. Centers which provide multidisciplinary patient management programs and follow adequate patient populations, thus assuring management proficiency, provide the best means of avoiding many of the pitfalls that threaten patients who are managed by a single physician and exposed sequentially to other disciplines only when problems develop. Few other cancers demonstrate the need for anticipatory treatment and rehabilitation to the magnitude required in the management of head and neck cancer.