Malgorzata Wierzbicka
Sessions
Development of a comprehensive tool to enhance quality and optimize hospitalization of patients scheduled for the laryngopharyngeal open surgery - Ready for Safe Cancer Treatment (RESET-LC) is multimodal program consisting of a standardized sequence of processes - from prehabilitation, through advanced therapeutic team/patient/family communication, ERAS (early rehabilitation protocol) to transitional care planning. Laryngo-pharyngeal cancer (LC) represents a distinct group of aggressively growing cancers that are highly mutilating and restrict the patient's basic functioning in terms of articulation, speech, swallowing, and breathing. LC patients requires specific modifications to address their unique needs across multiple domains. Standard oncological care pathways should be adapted to accommodate specialized rehabilitation requirements, distinct symptom management approaches, targeted supportive care interventions and modified discharge planning strategies. Another important aspect related to prehabilitation is the careful assessment of elderly individuals being prepared for planned treatment. The frailty syndrome is a key indicator when making surgical decisions in the senior age group, where literature and our own data show the highest rates of prolonged hospitalizations. There is also solid evidence that comprehensive geriatric assessment improves treatment matching, tolerance, and outcomes in older cancer patients, particularly by reducing treatment toxicity, ensuring better treatment completion, and achieving better functional outcomes. The RESET-LC model of care is multimodal in design supporting both physical, psychological and social aspects of care. This protocol designed to optimize patient care, ensuring safe discharge from the Head Neck department while reducing postoperative complications, prolonged hospitalizations, and rehospitalizations.