Nadia Van Den Berg, ST3 Otolaryngology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork.
Set in the picturesque grounds of the Lyrath Hotel, the third IHNS conference was a huge success, welcoming over 200 delegates and talks from 12 world-renowned international faculty. After the opening address from IHNS President Professor Patrick Sheahan came a diagnostic symposium with presentations from Dr Justin Bishop (UT Southwestern Medical Centre, USA), Dr Nishant Agrawal (University of Chicago, USA) and Professor Cesare Piazza (University of Brescia, Italy). They highlighted the latest developments in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer diagnostics and the use of artificial intelligence in the treatment of this disease.
The first plenary session focused on HPV-related cancer management and featured guest speakers Professor Vincent Gregoire (Léon Bérard Cancer Centre, France), Professor Robert Ferris (University of Pittsburgh, USA) and Dr Kate Hutcheson (MD Anderson Cancer Centre, USA).
Professor Vinidh Paleri (Royal Marsden Hospitals, UK), Mr Sat Parmar (University Hospital Birmingham, UK) and Prof Piazza led the second plenary session, addressing challenges faced with reconstruction in recurrent disease.
Finally, Dr Julie McCarthy (Cork University Hospital, Ireland), Dr Bishop and Mr Damien Broderick (Liverpool Head and Neck Centre, UK) delivered a fascinating session on salivary gland neoplasms.
The rich and compelling first day was brought to a close with a keynote lecture by Professor Kevin Harrington (Royal Marsden Hospitals, UK) on the future of systemic therapy for head and neck cancer. The evening was completed by a wine reception and dinner.
Day two was set in motion by the free paper and e-poster presentation sessions. Dr Gerard Sexton won Best Oral Presentation for ‘Determining the current operating state of the head and neck cancer assessment pathway of a tertiary Irish referral centre’. Mairead Cronin and Teresa Hanevy won Best Poster Presentation for ‘A pilot study to evaluate the implementation and impact of an Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk (EDAR) protocol with head and neck cancer patients in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital’.
The survivorship symposium followed, with talks from Dr Rebekah Smith (UK) (left), Dr Kate Hutcheson and Mr Justin Roe (Royal Marsden Hospitals, UK) on the late effects of chemo-radiotherapy and evolving management strategies for this often-challenging cohort of patients.
Best free paper presentation was awarded to Dr Gerard Sexton (ST4, ENT) and best oral poster presentation to Mairead Cronin and Teresa Hanevy, with thanks to the Irish Cancer Society for sponsoring these awards.
The continued success of the IHNS has highlighted the need for a truly multi-disciplinary conference in the management of head and neck disease. The much-anticipated conference will take again place next year.
For more information on the IHNS or to become a member click here.
