For patients with widely metastatic head and neck cancer, the goal is palliation or prolongation of life. Recent studies show that immunotherapy provides a reasonable treatment option for patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This presentation will discuss new and emerging treatment options to optimize outcomes for these patients.

Clinical trials are continuing to investigate the role of induction chemotherapy prior to systemic therapy/radiation therapy for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. New evidence regarding the addition of a PD-1 inhibitor to gemcitabine/cisplatin provides an emerging avenue of treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. It is important for clinicians to remain current on emerging treatment options for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Clinical trials are continuing to investigate the role of induction chemotherapy prior to systemic therapy/radiation therapy for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. New evidence regarding the addition of a PD-1 inhibitor to gemcitabine/cisplatin provides an emerging avenue of treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. It is important for clinicians to remain current on emerging treatment options for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The overall incidence of HPV-positive oropharynx cancers is increasing in the United States. Deintensification treatment protocols for HPV-associated locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials. Strategies under active investigation include reducing or using response-stratified radiation therapy (RT) dose, using RT alone versus chemoradiation, using less invasive surgical procedures such as TORS, using sequential systemic therapy/RT, and using immunotherapy and targeted therapy agents.

These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel’s most recent recommendations regarding management of HPV-positive oropharynx cancer and ongoing research in this area.

NCCN Guidelines recommendations regarding treatment of salivary gland tumors have recently been considerably revised, notably systemic therapy recommendations.

The initial evaluation and development of a plan for treating the patient with head and neck (H&N) cancer requires a multidisciplinary team of health care providers with expertise in caring for these patients. Further, managing and preventing sequelae after surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy requires professionals familiar with H&N cancer.

Health-related quality of life issues are paramount in head and neck (H&N) cancers, since these tumors affect basic physiologic functions (i.e., the ability to chew, swallow, and breathe), the senses (i.e., taste, smell, hearing), and uniquely human characteristics (i.e., appearance, voice).

This presentation includes discussion of the management of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, nasopharynx cancer, and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.