Patient-Based Council

Head & Neck Cancers Council

In head and neck cancers the goal is not only to control the tumor but also to preserve speech, swallowing and appearance. That balance can only be struck in a multidisciplinary council.

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About the disease

Head and neck cancers involve functionally critical regions such as the larynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx and salivary glands. The treatment decision must weigh oncological success against quality of life.

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers follow a different course, and treatment intensity is reconsidered accordingly. Determining p16 / HPV status is therefore critical.

The sequence of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the suitability of organ-preserving approaches, nutritional support and dental assessment are all planned together before treatment begins.

Which specialties evaluate it?

In this council your case is reviewed jointly by the disciplines below.

ENT / Head & Neck Surgery
Radiation Oncology
Medical Oncology
Radiology
Pathology
Nuclear Medicine
Dentistry
Nutrition
Rehabilitation

Files requested from the patient

Pathology report and p16 / HPV status
Head and neck MRI / CT images and reports
PET/CT report (if available)
Endoscopy and examination findings, with image records if available
Discharge summary and a summary of treatments received
Dental assessment and nutritional status information

Clinical questions answered

Is organ-preserving treatment possible for me?
Should surgery or chemoradiotherapy take priority?
How will my speech and swallowing be affected, and how can they be protected?
Does my HPV status change the intensity of treatment?
How should dental and nutritional preparation be handled before treatment?
What will the rehabilitation process look like after treatment?

Scope of the council report

Written opinion confirming the case was reviewed by a multidisciplinary council
Council confirmation of the diagnosis, stage and risk group
Recommended treatment options and the reasoning behind them
Alignment with current guidelines (ESMO / NCCN) and a level-of-evidence note
Comparison of alternative options and their expected side-effect profiles
Recommendations for any additional tests or consultations
Potentially suitable clinical trial options

Scope of the second opinion

Independent review of the current diagnosis and staging
Re-evaluation of pathology and imaging findings
Confirmation that the ongoing or planned treatment is appropriate
Comparative presentation of alternative treatment approaches
Clarification of unanswered clinical questions
Assessment of how well the decision fits the patient’s priorities and quality-of-life goals