title: Evaluation of the benefit and use of multidisciplinary teams in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
abstract: Given the complexities of multimodality treatment for patients with head and neck cancer, the rationale for the use of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to define individual optimal treatment strategies on a per-patient basis is apparent. Increased use of guideline-directed approaches, reduced time to treatment and improved outcomes, which result from use of an MDT approach in head and neck cancer, have been documented. A discussion of these recent advances, as well as presentation of available country-specific guidance on the roles and responsibilities of team members, supports the creation of similar local-language recommendations for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. Finally, expert practical advice on the implementation of MDTs may enable the establishment of the MDT approach more universally around the world.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.affiliation: Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Keilholz
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jin-Ching
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chomette
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, University Hospital Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ceruse
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.affiliation: Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rmesia@iconcologia.net.
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mesia
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Healthcare delivery; Multidisciplinary team