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Head and Neck Cancer in the Older Adult: Approaches in Evaluation and Management

  • Geriatric Oncology (TM Wildes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Head and neck cancer collectively represents a growing cancer diagnosis among older adults. Many insights have been gained into the pathogenesis and risk factors of head and neck cancer. Moreover, major improvements have occurred in surgical approaches, the delivery of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the management of their complications for head and neck cancer. However, how these cancer therapies are best applied to older adults with head/neck cancer remains unclear and under-studied. This review will serve to synthesize the current data available in evaluating and managing head and neck cancer with a focus on the older adult; unique issues and knowledge gaps in geriatric oncology as they apply to those with head/neck cancer, while raising survivorship issues that are key in this growing patient population.

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Ronald J. Maggiore has served as a non-compensated consultant for Biodesix.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center/Oregon Health and Science University, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, P3CHEMO, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Ronald J. Maggiore

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Maggiore, R.J. Head and Neck Cancer in the Older Adult: Approaches in Evaluation and Management. Curr Geri Rep 3, 209–219 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-014-0089-2

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