Abstract
The definition and range of care applicable to palliation of surgical patients is complex and involves multiple disciplines of the healthcare workforce. As surgeons, we must balance issues related to non-maleficence and beneficence whilst respecting the patient’s autonomy. With regard to head and neck cancer, symptom control is complex and requires multidisciplinary care input to achieve the best ends for our patients. The importance of education and training in this area is emphasised. Ultimately, our patients should avoid suffering and maintain dignity, and as surgeons, we possess the skills to provide their care.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Walsh D, Gombeski W, Goldstein P, Hayes D, Armour M. Managing a palliative oncology program: the role of a business plan. J Pain Symptom Manage. 1994;9(2):109.
American Society of Clinical Oncology. Five things physicians and patients should question. Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Cameron JL, editor. Current surgical therapy. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, Inc.; 2007. p. 1179.
Wagman LD. Palliative surgical oncology. Surg Oncol Clin North Am. 2004;13:XIIIeXIV.
Miner T. Palliative surgery for advanced cancer. Lessons learned in patient selection and outcome assessment. Am J Clin Oncol. 2005;28(4):411–4.
McCahill LE, Smith DD, Borneman T, Juarez G, Cullinane C, Chu DZJ. A prospective evaluation of palliative outcomes for surgery of advanced malignancies. Ann Surg Oncol. 2003;10:654–63.
Hofmann B, Håheim LL, Søreide JA. Ethics of palliative surgery in patients with cancer. Br J Surg. 2005;92:802–9.
Billroth T. Ueber esophagus resektion. Arch Klin Chir. 1872;13:65.
Halsted WS. The results of operations for the cure of cancer of the breast performed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from June, 1899, to January, 1894. Johns Hopkins Hosp Rep. 1894–1895;4:297.
Dunphy JE. On caring for the patient with cancer. N Engl J of Med. 1976;295:313–9.
Gaisford JC. Palliative surgery. JAMA. 1972;221:83–4.
Sugarbaker PH, Barofsky I, et al. Quality of life assessment in extremity sarcoma trials. Surgery. 1982;91:17–23.
Statement of principles of palliative care. Task Force on Surgical Palliative care. Committee on Ethics. Bull Am Coll Surg. 2005;90(8):34–5.
Surgeons Palliative Care Workgroup. Report from the field. J Am Chem Soc. 2003;197(4):661–86.
Hanna J, Blazer DG, Mosca PJ. Overview of palliative surgery: principles and priorities. J Palliative Care Med. 2012;2:7.
McCahill LE, Krouse R, Chu D, Juarez G, Uman GC, et al. Indications and use of palliative surgery-results of Society of Surgical Oncology survey. Ann Surg Oncol. 2002;9:104–12.
Sallnow L, Feuer D. The role of surgery in the palliation of malignancy. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2010;22:713–8.
Dunn GP, Weissman DE. Surgical palliative care: a residents guide. Essex: American College of Surgeons/Cunniff-Dixon Foundation; 2009.
Giercksky K-E, Grønbech JE, Hammelbo T, Hirschberg H, Lundar T, Mjåland O. Use of palliative surgery in the treatment of cancer patients. Report 8. Oslo: The Norwegian Centre for Health Technology Assessment; 2003.
Sallnow L, Feuer D. The role of surgery in the palliation of malignancy. Clin Oncol. 2010;22:713–8.
National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths. The report of the National Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Deaths 1996/1997. London: NCEPOD; 1997.
Podnos YD, Juarez G, Pameijer C, Choi K, Ferrell B, Wagman LD. Impact of surgical palliation on quality of life in patients with advanced malignancy: results of the Decisions and Outcomes in Palliative Surgery (DOPS) trial. Ann Surg Oncol. 2007;14(2):922–8.
Smith DD, McCahill LE. Predicting life expectancy and symptom relief following surgery for advanced malignancy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2008;15(12):3335–41.
Foley KM, Gelbrand H. Improving palliative care for cancer. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2001.
McCahill LE, Krouse RS, Chu DZJ, Juarez G, Uman GC, Ferrell BG, et al. Decision making in palliative surgery. J Am Coll Surg. 2002;195:411–22.
Meakins JL. Innovation in surgery. Am J Surg. 2002;183:399–405.
Woods WC. Design and interpretation of clinical trials. In: Morris PJ, Wood WC, editors. Oxford textbook of surgery. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2000. p. 177–83.
Spodick DH. Numerators without denominators. There is no FDA for the surgeon. JAMA. 1975;232:35–6.
Jecker NS, Schneiderman LJ. When families request that “everything possible” be done. J Med Philos. 1995;20:145–63.
Cleese J. Life and how to survive it. London, GB: Publ Mandarin; 2004. ISBN 0749311088.
Singer PA, Martin DK, Kelner M. Quality end-of-life care: patient’s perspectives. JAMA. 1999;281:163–8.
Teno JM, Mor V, Ward N, Roy J, Clarridge B, et al. Bereaved family member perceptions of quality of end-of-life care in U.S. regions with high and low usage of intensive care unit care. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005;53:1905–11.
Rialon KL, Abernethy AP, Mosca PJ. Integration of palliative surgery into the palliative care delivery team. J Palliative Care Med. 2012;2:1–2.
Dunn GP. Principles and core competencies of surgical palliative care: an overview. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2009;42(1):1–13.
Calman KC. Quality of life in cancer patients—an hypothesis. J Med Ethics. 1984;10(3):124–7.
Ellershaw WC. Care of the dying patient: the last hours or days of life. BMJ. 2003;326:30–4.
Cohen LM, et al. A very good death: measuring quality of dying in end stage renal disease. J Palliat Med. 2001;4:167–72.
Fried T, et al. Older persons preference for site of terminal care. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131:109–12.
Steinhauser KE, et al. In search of a good death: observations of patients families and providers. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:825–32.
van den Beuken MH, et al. Prevalence of pain with cancer: a systematic review of the past 40 years. Ann Oncol. 2007;18(9):1437–49.
Forbes K. Palliative care of patients with head and neck carcinoma. Clin Otol. 1997;22(2):117–22.
Talmi YP, et al. Pain experienced by patients with terminal head and neck carcinoma. Cancer. 1997;80(6):1117–23.
Forbes JF. Palliative surgery in cancer patients: principles and potential of palliative surgery in patients with advanced cancer. Recent Results Cancer Res. 1988;108:134–42.
Lim RY. Laser tumour debulking. W V Med J. 1989;85(12):530–2.
Paleri V, et al. Laser debulking in malignant upper airway obstruction. Head Neck. 2005;27(4):296–301.
Wutzl A, et al. Mortality and cause of death after multimodality treatment for advanced oral and oropharyngeal cancer. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2007;65(2):255–60.
Coatesworth AP. The cause of death in patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma. J Laryngol Otol. 2002;116:269–71.
Lees J. Incidence of weight loss in head and neck cancer patients commencing radiotherapy treatment at a regional oncology centre. Eur J Cancer Care. 1999;8:133–6.
Inagki J, et al. Causes of death in cancer patients. Cancer. 1974;33:568–71.
Tisdale MJ. Cachexia in cancer patients. Nature. 2002;2:862–71.
Dewys WD. Weight loss and nutritional abnormalities in cancer patients: incidence, severity and significance. Clin Oncol. 1986;5:251.
Nguyen TV, et al. Weight loss predicts mortality after recurrent oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinomas. Cancer. 2002;52:72–91.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rees, G. (2014). Head and Neck. In: Wichmann, M., Maddern, G. (eds) Palliative Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-53709-7_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-53709-7_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-53708-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-53709-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)