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Salvage Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

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Head and Neck Cancer

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the unique challenges in the diagnosis, workup, treatment and follow-up of patients who may have, or have failed chemoradiation protocols. The role of various imaging modalities, particularly PET scanning, is reviewed. Surgical salvage in this population is emphasized, addressing the extent of resection both at the primary site and the neck, and the surgical complications encountered in this population. Options for surgical reconstruction are discussed, including free tissue transfer. While surgical salvage is the main focus of this chapter, other salvage modalities available to patients who have been previously chemoirradiated are examined. These include ­re-irradiation with or without chemotherapy, brachytherapy and photodynamic therapy. Finally, the treatment outcomes with respect to morbidity and mortality in this population are reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Pierre Lavertu

Authors
  1. Saba Aftab
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  2. Rod Rezaee
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  3. Pierre Lavertu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pierre Lavertu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept of Radio-Oncology, Genolier Swiss Medical Network, 4 Route du Muids, Genolier, CH-1272, Switzerland

    Jacques Bernier

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Aftab, S., Rezaee, R., Lavertu, P. (2011). Salvage Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. In: Bernier, J. (eds) Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9464-6_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9464-6_46

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-9463-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-9464-6

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