Surveillance During Hnca Survivorship: Practical Considerations for Community Practice Otorhinolaryngologist

Saturday, October 17, 2026

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PT

Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 3

Moderator(s)

DF

David WA Forner, MD MSc

Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Panelist(s)

Molly E. Heft Neal, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Aru Panwar, MD

Associate Professor
Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center & Creighton University School of Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
SM

Susan McCammon, MD PhD

Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States

Survivorship experiences are of substantial implication in the delivery of high value oncologic care, survival, functional and psychological quality of life outcomes for patients who suffer head and neck cancers (HNCa). Community practice otorhinolaryngologists are key collaborators in survivorship care for a significant proportion of patients with HNCa. Since HNCa survivorship care may not be a predominant focus of many community otorhinolaryngologists, engagement through continuing education in current recommendations and considerations in HNCa survivorship and surveillance strategies may improve patient experience, improve access for patients seeking survivorship care, promote value-based care, and promote provider confidence in their role as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the role and importance of community practice otorhinolaryngologists in surveillance and survivorship care of patients with HNCa.
Outline surveillance and management strategies for functional (including swallowing dysfunction/aspiration, oral complications of radiotherapy and lymphedema) and psychological (including anxiety and depression) sequelae experienced by HNCa survivors.
Identify evidence-based approaches to surveillance in patients who have been treated for HNCa, including clinical, radiological, and liquid biomarker-based modalities.