[New aspects in the therapy of recurrence and metastasis of head and neck cancer: highlights from the 2012 ASCO meeting].

The majority of patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC) initially present in a locally advanced stage of the disease. Despite aggressive protocols in first-line treatment, some of these patients develop locoregional recurrences or metastases and are, in particular, extraordinarily challenging for the multidisciplinary treatment team. Therefore, among resectability and prior therapy, age, performance status and individual expectations of the patient have to be taken into account. Apart from surgical options like salvage surgery, chemotherapy and target therapy as well as reirradiation are possible treatment concepts. Unfortunately, most treatment options offer only little to no survival benefit.