A shifting paradigm for patients with head and neck cancer: transoral robotic surgery (TORS)

Achieving optimal oncologic outcomes is always the priority for care of our head and neck cancer patients. Preserving functional status is equally important. Traditional surgical approaches to the oropharynx were extensive and unappealing to patients. This led to a surge in the use of chemoradiation for these patients. However, these nonsurgical treatments often left the patients with long-term gastrostomy tubes and tracheotomies, and thus they did not achieve the goal of preserving functional status. TORS is a new approach to tried and true oncologic resections and has demonstrated comparable to improved oncologic and functional outcomes. Adding TORS to the multidisciplinary care of head and neck cancer patients, particularly those with oropharynx and larynx primaries, may allow our patients to achieve a cancer-free and highly functional life.