Publication

A Review of Controversial Issues in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: A Swiss Multidisciplinary and Multi-Institutional Patterns of Care Study-Part 4 (Biomarkers)

Journal Paper/Review - Oct 24, 2019

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Broglie M, Negri S, Rothschild S, Giger R, Beffa L, Ballerini G, Huber G, Zwahlen D, Simon C, Putora P, Siano M, Henke G, Dulguerov P, Elicin O. A Review of Controversial Issues in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer: A Swiss Multidisciplinary and Multi-Institutional Patterns of Care Study-Part 4 (Biomarkers). Front Oncol 2019; 9:1128.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Front Oncol 2019; 9
Publication Date
Oct 24, 2019
Issn Print
2234-943X
Pages
1128
Brief description/objective

The Head and Neck Cancer Working Group of Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) has investigated the level of consensus (LOC) and discrepancy in everyday practice of diagnosis and treatment in head and neck cancer. An online survey was iteratively generated with 10 Swiss university and teaching hospitals. LOC below 50% was defined as no agreement, while higher LOC were arbitrarily categorized as low (51-74%), moderate (75-84%), and high (≥85%). Any LOC was achieved in 62% of topics ( = 60). High, moderate, and low LOC were found in 18, 20, and 23%, respectively. Regarding Head and Neck Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and biomarkers, LOC was achieved in 50, 57, 83, and 43%, respectively. Consensus on clinical topics is rather low for surgeons and radiation oncologists. The questions discussed might highlight discrepancies, stimulate standardization of practice, and prioritize topics for future clinical research.