David G. Pfister, MD, on Supportive Care in Head and Neck Cancers: Multidisciplinary Management
NCCN 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
David G. Pfister, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the many considerations when caring for patients with head and neck cancers, such as dental and nutritional issues; side effects from radiation, including necrosis of the bone; oral health; problems with speech; and the concerns of younger patients who may have to cope with the sequelae of treatment such as altered function or disfigurement for years to come.
The ASCO Post Staff
Susan M. Swetter, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses molecular prognostic tests for cutaneous melanoma, which may improve staging accuracy, reduce unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsies, and inform decisions on surveillance imaging and/or adjuvant therapy.
The ASCO Post Staff
Lori J. Wirth, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, discusses the common molecular alterations across thyroid cancer subtypes; targeted treatments for BRAF V600E–mutant, NTRK–fusion positive, and RET–altered disease; and optimal therapies for patients with multiple types of thyroid cancer.
The ASCO Post Staff
Robert Winn, MD, of the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, discusses the creation of a health equity report card to track how institutions are dealing with disparities in oncology care, ways to recognize bias in care, and adding health equity experts to guideline panels and other advisory groups.
The ASCO Post Staff
Sandy Srinivas, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses the increasing number of ways to deliver life-prolonging therapy to patients with advanced prostate cancer, including more accurate imaging techniques; PET tracers to help better detect, diagnose, and treat disease; PARP inhibitors for BRCA and other mutations; and new sequencing of drugs.
The ASCO Post Staff
Alexander E. Perl, MD, of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the major changes in 2021 to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for managing acute myeloid leukemia, including venetoclax plus azacitidine, a new standard of care in patients ineligible for intensive induction; oral azacitidine maintenance in fit patients unable to complete intensive consolidation chemotherapy or proceed to transplant; and an increased focus on minimal residual disease status post-induction.
