Decision Analysis in Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

To the Editor .—I would like to commend CPT Vic Velanovich, MC, USA, on his recently published article, Choice of Treatment for Stage I Floor-of-Mouth Cancer. 1 The use of decision analysis in the field of head and neck cancer is both appropriate and overdue. Dr Velanovich has modeled the clinical situation clearly and accurately. He has drawn from 22 articles to obtain his rates for cure, recurrence, morbidity, and mortality following treatment. Those who would argue with the results of his study should question the database from which the author draws his rates and not the process of decision analysis. The author has identified an area of needed research—quality of life following treatment for head and neck cancer. The effects of various treatment options on the quality of life for the patient with head and neck cancer is sorely lacking. Fundamental research in quality of life will allow more