28
views
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: not found

      Challenges in organizing effective oncology service: inter-European variability in the example of head and neck cancers

      editorial
      ,
      European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
      Springer Berlin Heidelberg

      Read this article at

      ScienceOpenPublisherPMC
      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          The increasing worldwide burden of cancer makes it imperative that every country develop a comprehensive cancer control programme. In the past, cancer control in Central and Eastern Europe was inadequate, particularly when compared to many wealthier Western European countries. We analyse interregional differences in Europe to the approach to comprehensive cancer care, with a focus on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using the case of Poland as a representative example. Due to national plans major improvements have been achieved in the field of prevention and in radiotherapy delivery having a measurable and positive impact on treatment outcomes. In head and neck cancers a notable move towards multidisciplinary approach has been made, combining surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy accompanied by rehabilitation and social support. In Poland and several other Eastern and Central European countries a shortage of physicians in the field of oncology was noted. The main conclusion is that the special plans are needed in Central and Eastern Europe or those existing must be extended for another decade to fulfil the EU requirement of providing all European citizens with equal access to quality cancer care.

          Related collections

          Most cited references45

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: found
          • Article: not found

          Head and neck cancer.

          Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that develop in the upper aerodigestive epithelium after exposure to carcinogens such as tobacco and alcohol. Human papillomavirus has also been strongly implicated as a causative agent in a subset of these cancers. The complex anatomy and vital physiological role of the tumour-involved structures dictate that the goals of treatment are not only to improve survival outcomes but also to preserve organ function. Major improvements have been accomplished in surgical techniques and radiotherapy delivery. Moreover, systemic therapy including chemotherapy and molecularly targeted agents--namely, the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors--has been successfully integrated into potentially curative treatment of locally advanced squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In deciding which treatment strategy would be suitable for an individual patient, important considerations include expected functional outcomes, ability to tolerate treatment, and comorbid illnesses. The collaboration of many specialties is the key for optimum assessment and decision making. We review the epidemiology, molecular pathogenesis, diagnosis and staging, and the latest multimodal management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            A proposal to speed translation of healthcare research into practice: dramatic change is needed.

            Efficacy trials have generated interventions to improve health behaviors and biomarkers. However, these efforts have had limited impact on practice and policy. It is suggested that key methodologic and contextual issues have contributed to this state of affairs. Current research paradigms generally have not provided the answers needed for more probable and more rapid translation. A major shift is proposed to produce research with more rapid clinical, public health, and policy impact. Copyright © 2011 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: not found

              Applying what we know to accelerate cancer prevention.

              More than half of the cancer occurring today is preventable by applying knowledge that we already have. Tobacco, obesity, and physical inactivity are the modifiable causes of cancer that generate the most disease. Cancer burden can be reduced by alterations in individual and population behaviors and by public health efforts as long as these changes are driven by sound scientific knowledge and social commitment to change. The obstacles to these efforts are societal and arise from the organization of institutions, including academia, and in the habits of daily life. To achieve maximal possible cancer prevention, we will need better ways to implement what we know and improved infrastructure that will better incentivize and support transdisciplinary, multilevel research and successful intervention.
                Bookmark

                Author and article information

                Contributors
                wojciech.golusinski@wco.pl
                Journal
                Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
                Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
                European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
                Springer Berlin Heidelberg (Berlin/Heidelberg )
                0937-4477
                1434-4726
                22 July 2014
                22 July 2014
                2014
                : 271
                : 2343-2347
                Affiliations
                [ ]Department of Electroradiology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
                [ ]Department of Medical Physics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
                [ ]Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
                [ ]Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
                Article
                3197
                10.1007/s00405-014-3197-x
                4118027
                25047398
                e6d243ed-46cb-4ce8-a700-3581eed72204
                © The Author(s) 2014

                Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.

                History
                : 12 June 2014
                : 3 July 2014
                Categories
                Editorial
                Custom metadata
                © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014

                Otolaryngology
                Otolaryngology

                Comments

                Comment on this article