Head and Neck cancers are a complex group of cancers involving the structures of the head and neck. They include the Nasopharynx, Nasal Cavity, Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, Larynx, Sinus and Orbital cancers.
Your care will be coordinated by a team including a Head and Neck surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologists, dentists, speech and language therapists, nutritionists and dieticians, oncology nurses and social workers. Depending on the specific type of cancer your treatment may involve surgery and radiation, radiation alone, radiation and chemotherapy or all three treatments.
Prior to starting radiation, you will go through simulation where your head and neck will be immobilized and placed in the treatment position. In many cases a PET-CT will be obtained with you in the treatment position which allows more accurate targeting of your radiation. Once your plan is finalized, you will receive daily painless radiation treatments for 25-35 treatments.