Head & Neck Cancer

Overview

The Head and Neck Center provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art care to patients with benign and malignant tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract, including the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and the nasal cavity and sinuses. Microsurgery, plastic/reconstructive surgery, dentistry, voice restoration, and development and fitting of maxillofacial prosthetics are major functions.

Incidence

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 47,000 new cases of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx (including tongue, mouth, pharynx and other oral cavity) and larynx will be diagnosed in 2008. 

Treatment

When decisions are made by the multidisciplinary team for the treatment of a patient with head and neck cancer, quality of life issues are paramount and are given strong consideration. Surgery is the main form of treatment for head and neck cancers, and today such surgery is often much less disfiguring than patients may fear. Numerous surgical procedures have been developed that preserve the organ function and facial appearance than was possible in the past. Reconstructive surgery has improved dramatically, as has the ability to preserve the larynx, to speech loss.

Other options for treatment include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and a combination of both of these options, including surgery. Great advances in these fields have made it possible to treat many cancers that would have once been considered untreatable. At RPCI, treatment does not end with the eradication of the tumor. To help patients recover and to preserve quality of life, RPCI’s speech therapist offers a range of rehabilitation and support services, including evaluation of voice and swallowing disorders, restoration of swallowing and speech rehabilitation.

Research

Research activities include national trials in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head and neck malignancies. Basic science translational research projects on thyroid and tracheal cancers are in progress.  Link to Roswell Park clinical trials.

Multidisciplinary Team

The Head and Neck team at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) encompasses a wide array of medical professionals, including specialists in surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, endocrinology, radiology, pathology, speech therapy, plastic and surgical reconstruction, dental and maxillofacial prosthetics, nutrition and pain management. The team also includes professionals who can help patients and their families cope with the emotional practical aspects of disease, and others who can help with related issues, such as smoking cessation.

Links to Head and Neck multidisciplinary team on left and right.