Dr. Ranee Mehra on the Importance of Symptom Management in Head and Neck Cancer

Ranee Mehra, MD, chief of Head and Neck Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, discusses challenges in head and neck cancer.

Symptom management is key in head and neck cancer, said Mehra. A small growth in a tumor can result in significant changes in speech or swallowing function.

The patient population of head and neck cancer is unique in that they really can be very symptomatic from advanced locoregional disease, said Mehra.

As new combinations of therapies are developed, it is important to keep in mind that there is a need for palliative care for these patients through treatment, she added.