Head and neck cancers include tumors of the nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, paranasal sinuses and salivary glands. The treatment paradigm typically includes radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy or as a stand alone treatment for early-stage disease. In some cases, surgery is also utilized.
For early-stage laryngeal cancer (T1–T2), radiation therapy is an effective treatment that can preserve the natural voice in more than 95% of patients, while providing long-term cancer control comparable to removal of the larynx (total laryngectomy).
For locally advanced laryngeal cancer (T3–T4), a larynx-preserving approach may involve radiation therapy given together with chemotherapy, most commonly a platinum-based drug. The goal is to eliminate the cancer while preserving the larynx and its ability to produce a natural voice.
If the cancer does not completely respond to treatment or later returns, salvage surgery remains an option for selected patients.
This approach has allowed many patients to preserve their natural voice and avoid a permanent breathing opening in the neck (stoma). Your treatment plan is individualized based on the stage and location of the cancer, your vocal-cord function, and your overall health.
Oropharyngeal cancer develops in the tonsils, base of the tongue, soft palate, or back of the throat. Treatment is highly individualized and depends on the stage of the cancer, its location, HPV status, smoking history, and overall health.
For many patients, radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, can effectively treat oropharyngeal cancer while preserving the ability to speak, swallow, and maintain a normal appearance. In selected patients, surgery may also be an excellent treatment option, particularly when the tumor can be removed safely with minimally invasive techniques.
HPV status is an important factor in understanding prognosis and treatment planning. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers generally have better outcomes than HPV-negative cancers, particularly in patients with little or no smoking history. Because many patients with HPV-positive disease have an excellent likelihood of cure, we participate in clinical trials and treatment protocols evaluating ways to reduce treatment intensity while maintaining cancer control.
Oral cavity cancer can develop in the lips, tongue, gums, floor of the mouth, inner cheek, or hard palate. Treatment depends on the location and size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes are involved, and other individual patient factors.
Surgery is often the primary treatment for oral cavity cancer, with the goal of completely removing the tumor while preserving speech, swallowing, and appearance whenever possible. Depending on the tumor and its location, surgery may be followed by radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
For carefully selected patients, radiation therapy can be used as an alternative to surgery or as part of a combined treatment approach.
We use modern intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), including techniques such as a simultaneous integrated boost, to precisely target the cancer while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
IMRT allows us to deliver a higher dose to the tumor and areas at greatest risk while carefully protecting important structures nearby. Whenever possible, we spare the major salivary glands to reduce the risk of long-term dry mouth (xerostomia), which can significantly affect eating, speaking, swallowing, and quality of life.
We also carefully protect other critical structures, including the jawbone (mandible), brainstem, spinal cord, and laryngeal cartilage. This precision can reduce the risk of long-term complications such as osteoradionecrosis (damage to the jawbone) and chondronecrosis (damage to cartilage).
Our goal is to deliver an effective dose of radiation to the cancer while preserving normal tissue and minimizing long-term side effects. Every treatment plan is individually designed using advanced imaging and treatment-planning technology to achieve the best possible balance between cancer control and quality of life.
Radiation therapy to the head and neck can cause mucositis, mouth and throat soreness, difficulty swallowing, and changes in taste, which may make it challenging to eat and drink enough during treatment. Maintaining good nutrition and hydration is an important part of successful treatment and recovery.
Our team includes a dedicated dietitian and speech-language pathologist (SLP) who work closely with our patients throughout treatment. We monitor nutrition, hydration, and swallowing function and provide personalized strategies to help patients maintain strength and preserve swallowing function.
For patients at higher risk of significant weight loss or difficulty maintaining adequate nutrition, we may recommend temporary nutritional support, such as a nasogastric (NG) tube or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The decision to place a feeding tube is individualized based on the cancer location, treatment plan, swallowing function, nutritional status, and overall health.
After treatment, our SLP works with patients on swallowing exercises and rehabilitation designed to maintain muscle function, reduce the risk of aspiration, and support a return to normal eating. With appropriate support and rehabilitation, many patients gradually return to a normal oral diet within 3–6 months, although recovery varies from person to person.
Our goal is to help every patient maintain nutrition during treatment and preserve the ability to eat and swallow normally after treatment.
Call us at 847-698-0600 ext. 112 to schedule a consultation. Our head and neck radiation oncologists work hand-in-hand with speech therapists, dentists, and nutritionists to give you the best possible outcome.
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