title: Getting personal: Head and neck cancer management in the era of genomic medicine.
abstract: Genetic testing is rapidly becoming an important tool in the management of patients with head and neck cancer. As we enter the era of genomics and personalized medicine, providers should be aware of testing options, counseling resources, and the benefits, limitations, and future of personalized therapy.
  
  
  
  This article offers a primer to assist clinicians treating patients in anticipating and managing the inherent practical and ethical challenges of cancer care in the genomic era.
  
  
  
  Clinical applications of genomics for head and neck cancer are emerging. We discuss the indications for genetic testing, types of testing available, implications for care, privacy/disclosure concerns, and ethical considerations. Hereditary genetic syndromes associated with head and neck neoplasms are reviewed, and online genetics resources are provided.
  
  
  
  This article summarizes and contextualizes the evolving diagnostic and therapeutic options that impact the care of patients with head and neck cancer in the genomic era. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2250-E2258, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Birkeland
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Wendy R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Uhlmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: J Chad
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Shuman
mesh_terms: D005820:Genetic Testing; D023281:Genomics; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D057285:Precision Medicine
keywords: cancer; ethics; genomics; head and neck; personalized medicine