Is AJCC/UICC Staging Still Appropriate for Head and Neck Cancers in Developing Countries?

By 2030, 70% of cancers will occur in developing countries. Head and neck cancers are primarily a developing world disease. While anatomical location and the extent of cancers are central to defining prognosis and staging, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) have incorporated nonanatomic factors that correlate with prognosis into staging (eg, p16 status of oropharyngeal cancers).

African Head and Neck Society Clinical Practice guidelines for thyroid nodules and cancer in developing countries and limited resource settings.

Background: International thyroid nodule and cancer management guidelines generally fail to take into account potential limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources.

Methods: Thyroid cancer specialists from the African Head and Neck Society and American Head & Neck Society Endocrine Section developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion, with level of evidence defined.

Oral cavity cancer management guidelines for low-resource regions.

Background: The diagnosis and management of oral cavity cancer has been well described in developed countries, however, in regions with fewer medical resources, alternative methods may need to be used. We outline an approach to evaluation and treatment of oral cavity cancer in low-resource areas.

Methods: Reviews of the Cochrane and Pubmed databases were performed and literature compiled.

African head and neck fellowships: A model for a sustainable impact on head and neck cancer care in developing countries.

Background: There is an extreme shortage of head and neck surgeons in Africa. Fourteen head and neck surgeons have completed fellowships in Cape Town and Cameroon. This study determines whether such Africa-based fellowships are a good model for developing countries by making a sustainable impact on head and neck cancer care.