Introduction

Since 1993 nine successful NKI-AVL multidisciplinary symposia were held on the Diagnosis and Treatment of malignancies in the head and neck. The forthcoming tenth symposium is focused on head and neck skin cancers. Skin cancers are the most common malignancies occurring in the Caucasian population. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents 75 %, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 20% and melanoma 5% of all skin cancers. Over the last decade a significant increase of skin cancer incidence has been noted and it is predicted that skin cancer rates will continue to rise for the forthcoming decades.

Despite the fact that the highest incidence of skin cancer is found in the head and neck, timely recognition of the malignant state of the disease and appropriate diagnosis making is often delayed and contributes to a considerable amount of late referrals to cancer clinics. The adequate diagnosis and treatment of head and neck skin cancer is strongly dependent on a multidisciplinary approach with active participation of various medical specialists. This symposium brings pitfalls in the diagnostic process of primary skin cancer, neck node metastases, surgical (reconstructive) techniques and multimodality treatment to the attention of the participants. Case report discussions are included as well as how to implement the acquired knowledge.

The symposium is of importance for both residents and specialists working in the field of otolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology and fellows in training for head and neck oncology and surgery. Lectures and presentations aim at an adequate information on current advances and state of the art of diagnosis and treatment of head and neck skin cancer.

Looking forward to your participation, also on behalf of the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Unit Amsterdam (NKI-AVL).

A.J.M. Balm
M.W.M. van den Brekel
P.J.F.M. Lohuis
J.P.W. van der Veen