Review of current treatment practices for carcinoma of the head and neck

The past two decades have witnessed a paradigm shift in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Innovation in chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery has led to the assimilation of these modalities into our treatment algorithms. This modern multipart treatment plan has led to improved survival; however, this has come at the cost of increased toxicity. New and future therapies will be more tumour specific and, ideally, less toxic. Current research centres on these tumour-specific therapies with the anticipation of improved survival with decreased toxicity. This article will review the standard of care, recent advances and unfulfilled needs in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.