Improving Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancers
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. (2004).
London (United Kingdom): National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
This guideline is intended to inform clinicians and non-clinicians about the provision of services for individuals with head and neck cancer. It does not include a sufficient level of detail to inform decision-making about specific treatments for individual patients. This guideline assesses the topics of: referral, diagnosis, treatment, management, and rehabilitation.
National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health (United Kingdom); National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (United Kingdom)
<p>This document was reviewed with the following update:</p>
<ul>
<li>National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2012). <i>Improving Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancers: Evidence Update May 2012</i>(Evidence Update 17). Retrieved from <span style="line-height: 1.5;"><a href="http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/csghn/evidence/improving-outcomes-in-head-and-neck-cancers-evidence-update2" class="ApplyClass" style="line-height: 1.5;" title="www.nice.org.uk/">www.nice.org.uk</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p>In 2015, this guideline underwent a 10-year surveillance review by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. No update was recommended at that time, as it was felt new evidence did not have an impact on the existing guidance. Further detail can be found in the<a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/csg6/evidence/surveillance-review-decision-june-2015-2246026285" title="https://www.nice.org.uk/" class="ApplyClass"> surveillance recommendation document</a> [PDF]. </p>
<div>An extensive selection of techniques, products, and facilities should be made available to assist head and neck cancer patients with swallowing and voice rehabilitation. An electrolarynx should be provided to individuals who require it. The SLP should be available after discharge to provide advice and to assist the community SLP to meet the specific needs of the patient.</div>
<div>For patients with head and neck cancer, speech-language pathologists should:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>be involved with treatment planning; </li>
<li>take responsibility for communication and swallowing assessment prior to head and neck cancer treatment;</li>
<li>consider and discuss the impacts of planned treatments on eating, drinking, and communication following treatment; and</li>
<li>be available to work with head and neck cancer patients and their care partners for an extended period of time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>Prior to cancer treatment, the dietician and speech-language pathologist should work together to discuss nutritional and swallowing issues and short- or long-term interventions with head and neck cancer patients. Patients and care partners should be advised about food preparation and diet for adequate nutrition after discharge. If a patient may require tube feeding for longer than one month, the primary care team must be informed so preparations can be made for home-support.</div>
