Head and Neck Cancer

Laryngeal cancer, commonly referred to as throat cancer, develops in the tissues of the larynx, the part of the throat that houses the vocal cords and plays a critical role in speaking, breathing, and swallowing. This type of cancer is most often associated with risk factors like tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption and certain viral infections such as HPV.

Treatment

Because the larynx is essential for daily functions like talking and eating, treatment requires a thoughtful and precise approach. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, care may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy to target cancer cells, chemotherapy to attack cancer throughout the body, and/or immunotherapy to help the immune system recognize and fight the disease.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgery may involve removing the tumor and nearby cancerous tissue, including affected lymph nodes. A laryngectomy removes the voice box, which can affect speech, while a neck dissection targets cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

Radiation Therapy Treatment Options

External radiation delivers high-energy beams to the tumor from outside the body, while internal radiation places the source close to the cancer. Advanced techniques like IMRT and VMAT precisely target cancer cells while protecting healthy tissues.

Chemotherapy Treatment Options

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells and can be given before or after surgery. It may be administered as pills, injections or through a catheter into the bloodstream.

Immunotherapy Options

Immunotherapy boosts your body’s natural defenses to help recognize and attack cancer cells. It’s typically used for certain advanced or recurrent cancers.

Targeted Therapy Treatment Options

Targeted therapy blocks specific molecules that cancer cells need to grow and divide. These drugs are often used alongside radiation or chemotherapy for a more focused approach.

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer that forms in the nasopharynx — the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Treatment usually begins with radiation therapy, often combined with chemotherapy, and surgery may be recommended if the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes.

Radiation Therapy Treatment Options

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) delivers precise, targeted radiation to tumors while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue. This advanced technique helps reduce side effects and improve outcomes.

Chemotherapy Treatment Options

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It can be taken as pills, injections or through a catheter into the bloodstream.

Immunotherapy Treatment Options

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. This treatment is typically used for certain advanced or recurrent cancers.

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the oral cavity. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and palliative treatment.

Surgery Treatment Options

Surgery is often the primary treatment for oral cancer and aims to remove the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. It’s typically the most effective way to eliminate cancerous tissue.

Radiation Therapy Options

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It can be used alone or alongside surgery or chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy Options

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and is often combined with surgery or radiation. It can help treat cancer locally and throughout the body.

Targeted Therapy Options

Targeted therapy uses medications that attack specific molecules found in cancer cells. It is most often used together with other treatments.

Immunotherapy Options

Immunotherapy helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. It is typically used for advanced or treatment-resistant cases.

Treatment includes targeted therapies like bortezomib and lenalidomide, immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab, chemotherapy, steroids to reduce inflammation, stem cell transplants and bone health support with bisphosphonates.