Skin Cancer Symposium Head and Neck Center AVL Amsterdam 2015
Since 1993 eleven successful NKI-AVL multidisciplinary symposia were held on the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies in the head and neck. Three of these symposia, organized in 2000, 2006 and 2011 were focused on skin cancer and melanoma. Each audience consisted of a large number of highly interested (inter-)national specialists, actively participating in discussions. The forthcoming twelfth symposium is again focused on head and neck skin cancers. Skin cancers are the most common malignancies occurring in the Caucasian population. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents 75%, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 20% and melanoma 5% of all skin cancers. Over the last decade a significant increase of skin cancer incidence has been noted and it is predicted that skin cancer rates will continue to rise for the forthcoming decades. Nowadays increasing numbers of head and neck skin cancer patients are referred to head and neck oncology clinics.
Despite the fact that the highest incidence of skin cancer is found in the head and neck, timely recognition and appropriate diagnosis is often delayed and contributes to a considerable delay in treatment. The adequate diagnosis and treatment of head and neck skin cancer is strongly dependent on a multidisciplinary approach with active participation of various medical specialties. This symposium brings pitfalls in the diagnostic process of primary skin cancer, neck node metastases, surgical (reconstructive) techniques and multimodality treatment to the attention of the participants. Case report discussions are included as well as how to implement the acquired knowledge.
The symposium is of importance for both residents and specialists working in the field of otolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology and fellows in training for head and neck oncology and surgery. Lectures and presentations aim at teaching and discussion on current advances and state of the art of diagnosis and treatment of head and neck skin cancer.
Looking forward to your participation, also on behalf of the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Unit Amsterdam (AVL-AMC-OMFS).
Course directors:
AJM Balm
MWM van den Brekel
WMC Klop
PJFM Lohuis
B Zupan-Kajcovski