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Patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer are a heterogeneous group that poses a unique management challenge to the health care team. Treatment options vary, from aggressive triple modality with chemoradiation followed by surgery for eligible patients to a less aggressive approach with radiation or chemotherapy alone for patients who are not medically fit.

Careful consideration of patient characteristics and other health variables is imperative prior to making a final decision about which treatment options to use. Input from a multidisciplinary team with a dedicated thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist is extremely valuable to make the ideal treatment recommendation. Innovative surgical techniques and radiation modalities have become routine in the current management and incorporation of novel agents that are in development with the chemoradiation approach.

The treatment of advanced head and neck cancer can lead to significant impairment of the aerodigestive tract, causing debilitating dysphagia and dysphonia. Other long-term side effects, such as xerostomia and dental decay along with hearing loss, are also common in longterm survivors. The appropriate management of these long-term side effects early on, and the appropriate referral to a variety of specialists, can help ameliorate the symptoms and improve the functional capacity of these patients.

This symposium will review the recent developments in the care of stage III lung cancer and head & neck cancer.

Target Audience

This symposium is designed for physicians, nurses, advance practice nurses and healthcare professionals specializing in lung cancer and head & neck cancer.

Objectives

At the completion of this symposium participants should be able to:

• Recite key clinical trials ongoing for stage III disease;
• Identify ideal patients for surgical resection in stage III lung cancer;
• Recite the radiation techniques currently available for patients with stage III disease;
• Identify and discuss the initial management of side effects related to chemoradiation in management of head & neck cancer;
• Refer appropriate patients to specialists and co-manage severe adverse events related to long-term side effects of head & neck cancer.