Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Assessing Surgical Frailty with Point-of-Care Ultrasound of Quadriceps Muscles
Published on: July 26, 2024
Head and Neck Cancer in the Elderly: Frailty, Shared Decisions, and Avoidance of Low Value Care
Leila J Mady1, Marci L Nilsen2, Jonas T Johnson3
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Eye and Ear Institute, Suite 500, 203 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Abstract:
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a disease of older adults. Recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma portends a poor prognosis, with median overall survival of less than 12 months. Within this vulnerable population, significant treatment-related toxicities and physical and psychosocial sequelae can be devastating to quality of life at the end of life. Shared decision making and early comprehensive palliative and support services are at the crux of the approach to older adults with HNC. In doing so, low-value care that fails to meet the goals of patients and their caregivers at the end-of-life may be avoided.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
Decision Making
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck
Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...

