Springer Critical Issues in Head and Neck Oncology: Key Concepts from the Sixth THNO Meeting

This book provides an overview of the latest advances in head and neck cancer using a multidisciplinary approach. Commencing with a discussion of epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, including the role of vaccination and key pathological features, the book then follows by examining the role of oncogenomics, proteomics, next generation sequencing and homologous recombination function in predicting outcomes. The topics are presented by epidemiologists, pathologists and basic scientists with further contributions from medical oncologists, head and neck cancer surgical specialists (ORL /HNS), and radiation oncologists in chapters that discuss therapeutic approaches for oral, oropharyngeal and thyroid cancer. Special topics such as the development of novel staging classifications, optimal larynx preservation approaches for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, surgical reconstruction, new surgical approaches in oropharynx cancer, potential for treatment de-escalation, systemic therapy in nasopharyngeal cancer and salivary gland tumors and treatment approaches for tumors of unknown primary site are discussed in detail. Finally, the role of immunotherapy in the field is highlighted. The chapters are based on the latest data presented at the 6th Trends in Head and Neck Oncology Conference and reflect the most up-to-date information in the field. They are written by many of the most internationally acclaimed authors in the field and are therefore an excellent source for all those interested or actively working in the field of head and neck cancer. From the Back Cover This book provides an overview of the latest advances in head and neck cancer using a multidisciplinary approach. Commencing with a discussion of epidemiological and diagnostic aspects, including the role of vaccination and key pathological features, the book then follows by examining the role of oncogenomics, proteomics, next generation sequencing and homologous recombination function in predicting outcomes. The topics are presented by epidemiologists, pathologists and basic scientists with further contributions from medical oncologists, head and neck cancer surgical specialists (ORL /HNS), and radiation oncologists in chapters that discuss therapeutic approaches for oral, oropharyngeal and thyroid cancer. Special topics such as the development of novel staging classifications, optimal larynx preservation approaches for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, surgical reconstruction, new surgical approaches in oropharynx cancer, potential for treatment de-escalation, systemic therapy in nasopharyngeal cancer and salivary gland tumors and treatment approaches for tumors of unknown primary site are discussed in detail. Finally, the role of immunotherapy in the field is highlighted. The chapters are based on the latest data presented at the 6th Trends in Head and Neck Oncology Conference and reflect the most up-to-date information in the field. They are written by many of the most internationally acclaimed authors in the field and are therefore an excellent source for all those interested or actively working in the field of head and neck cancer. About the Author Prof. Jan B. Vermorken started his medical training in 1961, graduated in 1970 from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and became a board-certified specialist in internal medicine in 1975. Since that time he has worked in the field of Medical Oncology and was officially registered as a Medical Oncologist in the Netherlands in 1992. He received his PhD in Medical Sciences in 1986 from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.  From May 1997 until October 1, 2009, he was appointed Professor of Oncology at the University of Antwerp (UA), and head of the Department of Medical Oncology at the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA), in Edegem, Belgium. After his retirement he remains connected to both University (Emeritus Professor) and University Hospital (consultant). His main fields of