Abstract
Although evidence should be carefully considered when contemplating treatment for far-advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer, surgery should be indicated for patients with low quality-of-life preoperatively, even if the survival rates are poor. Narrative based medicine is important in such cases, which requires sufficient dialogue with the patient and good human relationships between doctor and patient. The final decision should be made in a multi-disciplinary conference. More surgical evidence on prolonging the at-home period and cost performance is required.
