Head and neck cancer

ADULT

  • If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

    Emergency treatment required - needs discussion with on call specialist and/or emergency department.

    • Significant bleeding – including haemoptysis
    • Uncontrolled or disabling pain or severe uncontrolled dyspnoea
    • New findings of symptomatic brain metastasis or leptomeningeal disease diagnosed in the community
    • Suspected spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome
    • Symptoms of airway obstruction / compromise or Superior vena cava obstruction
    • Symptomatic malignant hypercalcaemia
    • Febrile neutropenia
    • Refer to local HealthPathways or local guidelines
    • Patients with new or suspected diagnosis of head and neck cancer should initially be referred to ENT surgeons for comprehensive assessment of upper aerodigestive tract regardless of presence or absence of metastatic disease
    • Patients with airway compromise, symptomatic hypercalcaemia or significant bleeding should be referred to emergency department
    • For patients with incurable (metastatic or recurrent) cancer, consider the following:
      • documentation of discussions with the patient (and their carers where appropriate) regarding the intent of treatment (anti-cancer therapy to improve quality of life and/or longevity without expectation of cure or symptom palliation), the patient's prognosis and their understanding of their prognosis
      • whether Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations have been undertaken and their outcome
      • specific patient goals and values that may impact on treatment choices
      • whether the patient has been referred to a palliative or supportive care service
    • Barium swallow as needed
    • Optimal care pathway for people with head and neck Cancer
    • Quick reference guide
Minimum Referral Criteria
Category 1
(appointment within 30 calendar days)

Patients with suspected head/neck cancer are generally initially referred and investigated by ENT or maxillofacial specialists and after initial diagnosis may be referred on for systemic therapy and radiotherapy depending on the stage of disease.

  • Biopsy confirmed head and neck malignancy (oral and nasal cavity, larynx, pharynx, salivary glands) for combined chemo-radiotherapy or induction chemotherapy. For optimum care, patient should be seen within 2 weeks.
  • Biopsy confirmed head and neck malignancy not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy and for palliative systemic therapy. For optimum care, patient should be seen within 2 weeks.
  • Resected head and neck malignancy with high-risk features for adjuvant radiation or chemo-radiotherapy
Category 2
(appointment within 90 calendar days)
  • Transfer of care from another health service
Category 3
(appointment within 365 calendar days)
  • No category 3 criteria

Please insert the below information and minimum referral criteria into referral

1. Reason for request Indicate on the referral

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

2. Essential referral information Referral will be returned without this

  • Past medical history, current medications, weight loss
  • Height & weight
  • Smoking and alcohol history
  • Previous cancer treatment details
  • Physical examination of the affected area, i.e. throat, neck
  • Pertinent social history/support
  • Biopsy results
  • Nasendoscopy results

3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral

  • History of significant hearing impairment can help guide treatment
  • Any relevant CT, PET scan +/- MRI results

4. Request

  • Patient's Demographic Details

    • Full name (including aliases)
    • Date of birth
    • Residential and postal address
    • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
    • Medicare number (where eligible)
    • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
    • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
    • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

    Referring Practitioner Details

    • Full name
    • Full address
    • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
    • Provider number
    • Date of referral
    • Signature

    Relevant clinical information about the condition

    • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
    • Physical findings
    • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
    • Body mass index (BMI)
    • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
    • Current medications and dosages
    • Drug allergies
    • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

    Reason for request

    • To establish a diagnosis
    • For treatment or intervention
    • For advice and management
    • For specialist to take over management
    • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
    • For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
    • Reassurance for the patient/family
    • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
    • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

    Clinical modifiers

    • Impact on employment
    • Impact on education
    • Impact on home
    • Impact on activities of daily living
    • Impact on ability to care for others
    • Impact on personal frailty or safety
    • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

    Other relevant information

    • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
    • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
    • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)

  • If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

    • Please note that where appropriate and where available, the referral may be streamed to an associated public allied health and/or nursing service.  Access to some specific services may include initial assessment and management by associated public allied health and/or nursing, which may either facilitate or negate the need to see the public medical specialist.

    • A change in patient circumstance (such as condition deteriorating, or becoming pregnant) may affect the urgency categorisation and should be communicated as soon as possible.

    • Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

Last updated: 28 January 2025

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