Surveillance During HNCA Survivorship: Practical Considerations for Community Practice Otorhinolaryngologist

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Survivorship experiences are of substantial implication in the delivery of high value oncologic care, survival, functional and psychological quality of life outcomes for patients who suffer head and neck cancers (HNCa). Surveillance for structural, functional and psychological manifestations of head and neck cancers and their management requires multidisciplinary collaboration. Community practice otorhinolaryngologists are key collaborators in survivorship care for a significant proportion of patients with HNCa. Since HNCa survivorship care may not be a predominant focus of many community otorhinolaryngologists, engaging them through continuing education in current recommendations and considerations in HNCa survivorship and surveillance strategies may improve patient experience, improve access for patients seeking survivorship care, promote value-based care, and promote provider confidence in their role as part of the multidisciplinary team.

This panel discussion will focus on updating community practice otorhinolaryngology providers regarding state of the art, evidence based approach towards surveillance of HNCa survivors. Panelists will discuss clinical and radiographic surveillance for structural disease, evaluation and management of functional deficits (including swallowing dysfunction/ aspiration, oral complications of radiotherapy and lymphedema), and prevention and recognition of psychological symptoms (including anxiety and depression) in patients who have been treated for HNCa.

Audience members will have the opportunity to engage in focused discussion in the areas of panelists' presentations.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Describe the role and importance of community practice otorhinolaryngologists in surveillance and survivorship care of patients with HNCa.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Identify evidence based approaches to clinical and radiographic surveillance in patients who have been treated for HNCa.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Outline surveillance and management strategies for functional (including swallowing dysfunction/ aspiration, oral complications of radiotherapy and lymphedema) and psychological (including anxiety and depression) sequelae experienced by HNCa survivors.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: As part of multidisciplinary teams managing HNCa, community practice otorhinolaryngologists require up to date information on survivorship care and evidence based surveillance strategies.