Salvage surgery in head and neck cancer

Abstract

Salvage surgery (SS) in head and neck cancer is considered a last resort treatment after failure of organ preservation treatments. It offers challenges to the patients and the surgeon. The outcome of SS is often uncertain in terms of survival and quality of life. This paper offers an overview of evolution in SS, tumor and patient factors to be considered, challenges in reconstructive surgery, complications of SS and the changing landscape with regard to increasing incidence of human papillomavirus positive tumours, the role of transoral robotic surgery, the importance of multidisciplinary management and shared decision making.