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Head and Neck Cancer pp 665–673Cite as

Best Supportive Care for Palliative Treatment

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Abstract

Head and neck cancer includes epithelial ­malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, including the skull base, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, oral cavity, naso-, oro- and hypopharynx, larynx and salivary glands, squamous-cell carcinoma being the most prevalent histopathological type. More than 2/3 of patients present at an advanced tumour-stage (III  +  IV UICC) at time of diagnosis. Although much effort has been done in the research of tumour-specific therapy (e.g. new chemotherapy protocols, induction chemotherapy, targeted therapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy) the overall survival rates have unfortunately not improved. Learning of their cancer diagnosis and receiving tumour-specific treatment has a great impact on individuals living with the disease and their families. Supportive and palliative care is interdisciplinary care and provides support for the physical, emotional and psychological suffering of patients with any advanced illness, regardless of age, diagnosis or life expectancy. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve the quality of life for patients. All patients with a cancer diagnosis need general supportive and palliative care, which represents a wide range of services to help the patients to live as actively as possible until death.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General ORL, H&NS, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26-28, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Michaela Salzwimmer

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  1. Michaela Salzwimmer
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Correspondence to Michaela Salzwimmer .

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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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Salzwimmer, M. (2011). Best Supportive Care for Palliative Treatment. In: Bernier, J. (eds) Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9464-6_48

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9464-6_48

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-9463-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-9464-6

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