Dr. Califano on the Future of Surgery in Head and Neck Cancer

Joseph A. Califano, MD, professor of surgery, University of California, San Diego, discusses the future of surgery in head and neck cancer.

The newer targeted therapies combine well with surgery, says Califano. Surgery is the only way to see if a patient has a complete response following treatment with a systemic agent such as immunotherapy. Consequentially, surgeons can conduct minimally invasive surgery while clearing the disease, explains Califano.

In addition, advances in imaging technologies have increased the accuracy and efficiency of surgery for patients with head and neck cancer.