| Abstract: |
The population of the USA is fast approaching the 300 million mark. Consonant with this, there is a continued increase in the incidence of newly diagnosed cases of cancer each year. It is estimated that in the year 2001, approximately 1.2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed. Coupled with this, the expected mortality from cancer during the year 2001 will exceed one half million. Cancer registries throughout the nation are supported by the efforts of the American Cancer Society, the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, and the National Cancer Institute. The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons approves the cancer programs in various institutions and receives data in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Outcomes data and end results are also maintained in a registry at the National Cancer Institute (SEER). In the care of patients with head and neck cancer, specialists involved include head and neck surgeons, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, general surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, maxillofacial prosthodontists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, endocrinologists, rehabilitation medicine and psychosocial experts, specialized nurses and social workers. The training programs for head and neck surgeons and oncologists have been developed and monitored by the Advanced Training Council under the sponsorship of the American Head and Neck Society. The training programs have a well established core curriculum and the programs are site visited periodically for content and quality. All the approved head and neck fellowship training programs have well established centers for head and neck cancer care in addition to which the National Cancer Institute recognizes several specialized centers as "NCI designated comprehensive cancer centers", where appropriate care for patients with head and neck cancer is available. While individual physicians are contacted and maintained in communication by their respective specialists from tertiary care cancer centers, the physicians and practitioners in various communities are made aware of the national consensus on treatment approaches to various cancers through the National Cancer Center Network (NCCN). The NCCN regularly organizes biannual meetings to update physicians on contemporary management of various types of cancers. |
