Living Well for Tomorrow

Chemotheray and targeted therapy are imprtant treatment options offed to head and neck cancer patients.  Similar to surgery and radiation, these treatments also carry many adverse reactions that complicate or worsen the quality of life of the patients.  Supportive care and monitoring is necessary to manage all the toxicity these patients experience. 

Head and neck cancer is a devastating disease that most commonly affects elderly males to have a strong history of tobacco and alcohol use.  The most common site of the head and neck cancer, accounting for nearly half, is the oral cavity.  Other common sites inclcude the pharynx and the larynx.  Therapy for head and neck cancer patients remains a difficult challenge for most patients and is magnified by the toxicity associated with current treatments.  As evidenced by the new generation of “chemotherapy”‘, head and neck cancer treatment is evolving.  However, more research is needed to improve survival rates and maximize the quality of life of these patients.  In addition, more research should be directed toward the prevention and screening.