Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Center

Beginning with the initial consultation, a team of specialists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your type of cancer, as well as your lifestyle and personal needs, to achieve the best possible outcome.

Your treatment team coordinates all aspects of care, including services such as:

• head and neck surgery
• medical oncology
• radiation oncology
• dentistry
• oral surgery
• reconstructive surgery
• surgical pathology
• neuro-radiology
• nutrition services
• palliative care
• social work
• speech and voice therapy
• swallowing therapy
• psychology and psychiatry

We understand that cancer affects patients and their families in many ways. In additional to clinical care, we offer a wide range of services, from financial planning to complementary therapies to spiritual counseling, to help you in a variety of ways through your experience with cancer treatment and survivorship.

Effective treatment that preserves function and appearance

Because head and neck cancers can affect some of the most important structures of the body, you may be understandably concerned about the after-effects of your cancer treatments. Our physicians and researchers have broken new ground in developing treatments that minimize the impact on your appearance and your ability to eat, swallow and speak, while effectively treating your cancer. These initiatives include:

• Organ sparing surgery and reconstruction.
• Robotic surgery
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a form of radiation treatment that minimizes damage to normal tissue.
• The use of novel chemotherapy drugs with radiation and limited surgery to preserve speech or swallowing.
• Experimental chemotherapy

Head and neck cancer dental care

Learn about Dana-Farber's Oral Medicine and Oral Oncology Service, and the recommended pretreatment dental evaluations for head and neck cancer patients.