This episode features Dr Catriona Mayland (University of Sheffield, UK). Few large studies describe initial disease trajectories and subsequent mortality in people with head and neck cancer. This is a necessary first step to identify the need for palliative care and associated services. This prospective cohort study recruited 5402 people with a new diagnosis of head and neck cancer from 76 UK cancer centres over 3 years. In summary, the results show that in addition to those with incurable head and neck cancer, there is a small but significant ‘curative’ subgroup of people who may have palliative needs shortly following diagnosis. Given the high mortality, risk of acute catastrophic event and frequent hospital death, clarifying the level and timing of palliative care services engagement would help provide assurance as to whether palliative care needs are being met.
