Palliative care consultations in head and neck cancer

This book is designed to give the busy clinician immediate, easy-to-access, and practical advice on problems which may arise in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. Both the physical and psychological needs of patients with this distressing disease are covered.

This is the fifth book in an international, multi-contributed series aimed at providing practical, clinical guidance on how to deal with difficult symptoms related to specific cancer sites. In this volume the Editors bring together first-rate palliative care with oncological treatment for patients with head and neck cancer.Head and neck cancer is one of the most frightening and distressing cancers for patients and their families as it affects appearance, the ability to speak, and the ability to eat. Pain which is difficult to treat, infection, and disfiguring surgery with wounds that often do not heal, are common accompaniments of advanced disease. In addition, psychological distress, loneliness, and isolation are often experienced by patients. Head and neck cancer is not that common but, when it does occur, it very often needs specialist help from palliative care and hospice clinicians. There is little written on this subject and this book provides a comprehensive, practical guide that draws together all the information in an easily accessible format. It is an essential reference for on the ward, or before going to a home visit.The Palliative Care Consultations series is primarily aimed at those individuals working in an acute hospital cancer centre and/or tertiary referral centre. Books are designed to give the busy clinician advice on clinical problems, both those rarely encountered and those that are very common, but difficult. The volumes are site specific and each volume encompasses a review of the current oncological or haemato-oncological management of advanced disease with symptom control advice. These volumes give clinicians excellent advice on symptom control in the context of palliative care. The books are also of use and interest to other professions working in acute hospitals.