Outcomes of head and neck cancer management from two cancer centres in Southern and Northern Europe during the first wave of COVID-19

Objective: To describe the approach and outcomes from two cancer centres in Southern and Northern Europe during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: Data collection was performed on a retrospective cohort of patients surgically treated for primary HNC between March and May 2020, using data from two tertiary hospitals: the European Institute of Oncology (Milan) and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (London). Results: We included 77 patients with HNC. More patients with COVID-19 were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and had Clavien-Dindo Classification grade I compared to negative patients, respectively (60% vs 22% [ p = 0.058] and 40% vs 8% [ p = 0.025]). Multivariate logistic regression analyses confirmed our data ( p = 0.05 and 0.03, respectively). Sex and age were statistically significantly different ( p = 0.05 and <0.001 respectively), showing more male patients (75% vs 53.66%, respectively) and more elderly patients in Italy than in the United Kingdom (patients aged >63 years: 69.44% vs 29.27%). Conclusions: This study presents a large cohort of patients with HNC with nasopharyngeal swab during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Patients with HNC with COVID-19 appeared more likely to develop postsurgical complications and to be taking ACE inhibitors. The preventive measures adopted guaranteed the continuation of therapeutic surgical intervention.

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Immune Check-Point Inhibitors and Standard Chemoradiotherapy in Definitive Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11050393 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 393

Author(s):

Francesca De Felice ◽

Daniela Musio ◽

Vincenzo Tombolini

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Check Point ◽

Clinical Tool ◽

Cancer Management ◽

Check Point Inhibitors

In head and neck cancer management, there is a need for tailored approaches to optimally implement clinical outcomes. Based on the assumption that efficacy and long-term toxicity are not satisfactory for standard concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy, several trials have been designed to test whether induction immunotherapy and/or concomitant immunotherapy and radiotherapy result in improved survival and toxicity outcomes. Here, we present an overview of the most recent concomitant therapeutic strategies for head and neck cancer, focusing on the knowledge available regarding check-point inhibitors. The aim is to present the characteristics of the main check-point inhibitors and to summarize the clinical trials on the combination of immune check-point inhibitors and (chemo)radiotherapy in the definitive HNC setting, in order to provide a useful clinical tool for further research.

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Pain in head and neck cancer: management and challenges during recovery

Minerva Psychiatry ◽

10.23736/s2724-6612.21.02123-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Ankita KAR ◽

Nirmalendu SAHA ◽

Asheem RAMIZ ◽

Udayan BHAUMIK ◽

Satish C

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Cancer Management

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CHAPTER 21 Quality-of-Life Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Management

Controversies in Otolaryngology ◽

10.1055/b-0034-50965 ◽

2001 ◽

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Cancer Management ◽

Life Issues

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The 2-week rule for suspected head and neck cancer in the United Kingdom: referral patterns, diagnostic efficacy of the guidelines and compliance

BDJ ◽

10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.1142 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 206 (1) ◽

pp. 23-23

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Diagnostic Efficacy ◽

Referral Patterns ◽

The United Kingdom

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Abstract 2911: The propitious dual roles of deferoxamine in head and neck cancer management

10.1158/1538-7445.am2018-2911 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alexis Donneys ◽

Chitra Subramanian ◽

Jeremy Lynn ◽

Kevin Urlaub ◽

Kevin Kovatch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Dual Roles ◽

Cancer Management

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Physician-Assisted Suicide for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599820923610 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 163 (4) ◽

pp. 759-762

Author(s):

Maxwell P. Kligerman ◽

Vasu Divi

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Assisted Suicide ◽

Medication Administration ◽

Physician Assisted Suicide ◽

Enrollment Rates ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Death With Dignity Act ◽

Using Data

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted using data from Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) to characterize patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who seek physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Between 1998 and 2018, a total of 57 patients with HNC received DWDA prescriptions, of whom 39 (68.4%) died by administration of the prescribed medication. There were no associated complications with medication administration. The most commonly involved subsites were oral cavity (33.3%) and oropharynx (30.8%), and the most commonly cited end-of-life concerns were loss of ability to engage in activities that make life enjoyable (79.5%) and loss of autonomy (74.4%). There were no differences in age, race, marital status, or hospice enrollment rates between patients with HNC who died by administration and those who were prescribed but did not administer the medication. Patients who died by administration were generally less educated as compared to those who were prescribed but did not administer the medication ( P = .015).

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