Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month: Advocating for Increased Research Funding Across the Spectrum of Care With Nagashree Seetharamu, MD

Risk Factors and Early Detection

Dr. Seetharamu began by highlighting a concerning trend: the increasing incidence of oral cancers in individuals without traditional risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use. “Because they do not have the risk factors, the level of suspicion is on the lower side,” she explained. These patients often present with subtle symptoms that are mistaken for dental issues or ulcers, leading to delayed diagnoses and advanced-stage presentations. Women, in particular, are more frequently affected in this category.

For the prevention of oral cancers in high-risk populations, reducing tobacco and alcohol use remains critical. Additionally, Dr. Seetharamu emphasized the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in preventing not only cervical and oropharyngeal cancers but potentially oral cancers as well. She stressed the importance of regular dental checkups and self-examinations, as there are currently no reliable biomarkers or screening tools for early detection. “Having a good examination by a dental professional is perhaps the best screening that we have,” she noted.

Advances in Treatment for HPV-Positive Cancers

The field of head and neck oncology has seen significant progress, particularly in the treatment of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Seetharamu discussed efforts to de-escalate treatment for these patients, who tend to respond better to therapy. Strategies such as neoadjuvant therapy, transoral robotic surgeries, and the use of circulating tumor HPV DNA as a biomarker are showing promise. “These advances aim to reduce the toxicity of treatments while maintaining efficacy,” she explained.

Immunotherapy and vaccine studies are also advancing, offering hope for improved outcomes. “This is one field that’s definitely marching ahead,” Dr. Seetharamu remarked.

Challenges in Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery and rehabilitation remain significant challenges for head and neck cancer survivors. Patients often face long-term side effects such as dysphagia, aspiration, neck stiffness, and even permanent feeding tube requirements. Dr. Seetharamu emphasized the importance of prehabilitation, nutritional support, and psychological counseling as part of a comprehensive care plan. “It takes a village to take care of one patient appropriately,” she said, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving medical, surgical, and supportive oncology teams.

Despite these efforts, Dr. Seetharamu expressed concern about the lack of funding and resources for rehabilitation and supportive care. “There’s a mismatch in resources, with more focus on therapeutics than on rehabilitation,” she noted, calling for greater investment in this area.

Public Awareness and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Public health campaigns play a crucial role in educating the public about head and neck cancers. Dr. Seetharamu stressed the importance of reducing stigma, particularly around HPV-related cancers, and encouraging individuals to seek medical attention for persistent oral lesions. She also highlighted the value of tumor boards and virtual collaboration among healthcare providers to ensure patients receive coordinated, patient-centered care. Dr. Seetharamu concluded, “I hope we will find better ways to help patients rehabilitate and come up with screening strategies that are practical and can be applied at a public level.”

Key Takeaways for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

• Early Detection: Regular dental checkups and self-examinations are vital, especially for individuals without traditional risk factors
• HPV Vaccination: This is a critical tool for preventing HPV-related cancers, including oral cancers
• Treatment Advances: De-escalation strategies, robotic surgeries, and biomarkers like circulating tumor HPV DNA are improving outcomes
• Rehabilitation Needs: Greater focus and funding are needed for recovery and quality-of-life improvements
• Multidisciplinary Care: Collaboration among healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups is essential for optimal outcomes

About Dr. Seetharamu

Nagashree Seetharamu, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, at the Barbara and Donald Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health. In addition to being a nationally and internationally renowned thoracic and head and neck oncologist, with a busy clinical practice, she is a very active academician. She has conducted several research projects in the fields of lung cancer prevention, early detection, predicative and prognostic biomarkers, as well as novel therapeutics in thoracic and head and neck oncology. In addition, Dr. Seetharamu is passionate about mentoring the new generation of oncologists and plays an active role in the fellowship program at Northwell Health. She also serves as a mentor for trainees in other institutions through the ASCO mentorship program.