Madrid, June 20, 2024-. The Head and Neck Surgery Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid – Hospiten has been dedicated to treating cancers in this area for more than two decades. This Unit, which has just incorporated robotic surgery into its therapeutic arsenal under the guidance of Dr. Rafael Barberá, has now established itself as a benchmark in the approach to these types of tumour using this technique, which allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision, flexibility and control when compared to conventional methods.
This is confirmed by Dr. Eduardo Raboso, head of the Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Service at MD Anderson Madrid – Hospiten, who underlines the potential of robotic surgery – always performed in accordance with international protocols. In his words: "The inclusion of robotic surgery completes the wide range of therapy options that we can provide within our Unit. It is an additional tool that we can employ as necessary, and which is always applied within the parameters of excellence".
"There are certain tumours in which robotic surgery is not the preferred choice because they can be fully cured with other methods such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy," he adds, noting that, in many cases, the patients themselves can choose which treatment they would prefer.
The curative options for head and neck tumours often involve deciding between an initial surgical procedure or treatments based on chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The best therapeutic options are evaluated within the Multidisciplinary Committee on Head and Neck Tumours and from the perspective of each of the specialties involved in the case. The incorporation of robotic surgery represents further improvement in the quality of treatments available to our patients.
Robotic surgery permits the resection of tumours with a less invasive approach than conventional surgery, while maintaining the same oncological results, thereby significantly improving the functional results that will result in a markedly better quality of life for patients.
Thyroid, larynx, pharynx, nostrils, oral cavity and base of skull, the most frequent head and neck tumours
The MD Anderson Madrid – Hospiten Head and Neck Surgery Department performs more than 300 operations annually. Within this specialist area, Dr. Raboso explains that the most common tumours treated are thyroid tumours, which appear when the cells of this gland start to grow in an uncontrollable manner. Laryngeal and pharyngeal tumours are also very common, with the main risk factor being tobacco, in addition to those of the oral cavity, nasal passages and those at the base of the skull.
The risk of certain head and neck cancers can be reduced by adopting healthier lifestyle habits. Other risk factors are attributable to the environment and these are harder to modify or control. However, tobacco use (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco) and alcohol are the two most common causes of head and neck cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV), poor oral hygiene, or inhalation of nickel metal dust are also major risk factors.
"At the Unit we often take in patients from other centres who are in need of more complex surgery or treatment, given that there may be several factors to take into account. Not only does it sometimes require very costly technical resources, but we can also offer a broad and multidisciplinary hospital infrastructure that enables us to provide fully comprehensive treatment,” he concludes.
The basis for treatment design always depends on the patient. A variety of considerations such as the treatments already received, the patient's general state of health and lifestyle all come into play. "There are patients who need to talk a lot for professional reasons, meaning they may not want to have surgery on their vocal cords, making radiotherapy more preferable. However, others need an immediate solution and do not have time for months of radiotherapy, so they opt for the initial surgical operation. All the therapeutic results have proved so successful that we can offer the patient the chance to choose between different options, always ensuring the best solution for their disease", confirms the specialist.