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Background: There is an extreme shortage of head and neck surgeons in Africa. Fourteen head and neck surgeons have completed fellowships in Cape Town and Cameroon. This study determines whether such Africa-based fellowships are a good model for developing countries by making a sustainable impact on head and neck cancer care., Methods: An observational study was conducted by emailing questionnaires to past fellows., Results: All fellows had returned to teaching hospitals in their counties. Seven established new multidisciplinary cancer teams. Head and neck operations had increased by >335%, as had complexity of the surgery. There was effective transfer of surgical skills to trainees. All considered head and neck fellowships to be the best model to grow head and neck care., Conclusion: Head and neck fellowships in developing countries are effective models for establishing training programs and for increasing provision of specialized surgical services in a sustainable fashion., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The diagnosis and management of oral cavity cancer has been well described in developed countries, however, in regions with fewer medical resources, alternative methods may need to be used. We outline an approach to evaluation and treatment of oral cavity cancer in low-resource areas., Methods: Reviews of the Cochrane and Pubmed databases were performed and literature compiled. Expert opinions from the American and African Head and Neck Societies were also provided., Results: Treatment guidelines for managing oral cavity cancer in low-resource regions are outlined and the level of supporting evidence is defined., Discussion: Successful treatment typically involves the use of upfront surgical resection of the primary lesion and any involved or at-risk cervical lymph node basins, with adjuvant therapy based on the final pathology findings. In situations where services such as adjuvant therapy and/or appropriate reconstruction are not available, alternative approaches to treatment may be needed., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Head and neck cancers occur predominantly in developing countries where access to care is poor. Sub‐Saharan Africa has <20 head and neck surgeons for >1 billion people and has only two fellowship training programs. Methods and results: The AfHNS Head and Neck Fellowship is being introduced to accelerate training of African surgeons to improve access to resource appropriate cancer care. By avoiding fixed time‐in‐training and single training sites, training can be offered at multiple centers in Africa, even with lower patient volumes. It also creates opportunities for accredited international surgical outreach programs to contribute to training. Conclusions: Having prescribed reading and appropriate Entrustable Professional Activities that are assessed through Workplace Based Assessment, and having a summative virtual oral examination ensures that fellows are fit‐for‐purpose to practice in an African resource‐constrained setting. Other developing countries are encouraged to adopt a similar approach to expanding head and neck cancer services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International thyroid nodule and cancer management guidelines generally fail to take into account potential limitations in diagnostic and treatment resources. Methods: Thyroid cancer specialists from the African Head and Neck Society and American Head & Neck Society Endocrine Section developed guidelines for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion, with level of evidence defined. Results: Using the ADAPTE process, diagnostic and treatment algorithms were adapted from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Low resource settings were simulated by systematically removing elements such as availability of laboratory testing, hormone replacement, imaging, and cytopathology from NCCN guidelines. Conclusions: Successful management of thyroid nodules and cancer in low resource settings requires adaptation of treatment methodologies. These guidelines define specific scenarios where either more or less aggressive intervention for thyroid pathology may be advisable based on limited available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cancer poses a health crisis in the developing world where surgery is the mainstay of treatment for head and neck cancers. However, a shortage of surgeons with appropriate skills exists. How do we train head and neck surgeons in developing countries and avoid a brain drain? The ideal model provides appropriate affordable training leading to establishment of head and neck cancer centers that teach and train others. Methods Different head and neck surgery training models are presented based on the personal experiences of the authors. Surgical exposure of head and neck fellows in Cape Town and (potentially) in Nairobi is benchmarked against programs in the United States. Results Surgical exposure in Cape Town is equivalent to that in the United States, but more appropriate to a developing world setting. Conclusion Training can be achieved in a number of ways, which may be complimentary. Fellowship training is possible in developing countries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 605-611, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]