Dr Rivers on Unmet Needs in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Although treatment approaches in head and neck cancer often prolong survival outcomes, significant challenges remain in managing long-term adverse effects (AEs) and overall quality of life for these patients.

During treatment, patients will frequently experience chronic issues that significantly impact their quality of life, such as swallowing difficulties, xerostomia, and cerebrovascular disease, Rivers details. This underscores the need for improved strategies to minimize AEs and enhance patient outcomes over time, she says. Rivers emphasizes the importance of focusing on these aspects to provide comprehensive care that extends beyond merely curing patients’ cancer.

Although surgery can be curative, it can also be associated with considerable morbidity, Rivers continues. The invasive nature of surgical procedures often leads to substantial functional impairments, affecting aspects such as speech and swallowing, she adds. These complications necessitate a reevaluation of treatment modalities to find alternatives that offer comparable efficacy without such limitations, Rivers notes.

Radiation therapy presents a viable alternative to surgery for many patients with head and neck cancer, as advances in radiation techniques have significantly improved the ability to preserve both the organ and its functionality, says Rivers. Current approaches allow the tumor to be targeted more precisely and spare surrounding healthy tissues, thereby reducing the incidence of long-term toxicities.

The evolution of radiation therapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton therapy, allows for more precise delivery of radiation, Rivers notes. These advancements enhance the therapeutic ratio by maximizing tumor control and minimizing damage to adjacent normal tissues. As a result, patients are more likely to experience fewer long-term AEs compared with those undergoing surgery, she explains.

By prioritizing the preservation of function and minimizing toxicity, radiation therapy can offer a superior alternative to surgery when treating patients with head and neck cancers, Rivers concludes.