Head and neck cancer treatment at The Christ Hospital Health Network

If you have head or neck cancer, it's normal to feel worried. And if you're one of the growing number of people diagnosed with head or neck cancer at a young age, you may have concerns about your ability to continue working or raising children during treatment.

At The Christ Hospital Health Network, we know that cancer is more than just a medical problem. When it strikes, it affects your health, your productivity, your family and your finances. That's why we'll use every tool we have to help you get through treatment quickly and successfully as possible.

Our cancer care team includes otolaryngologists (ear, nose & throat doctors), medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons and rehabilitation specialists. Together they create a customized treatment plan to fight your cancer, reduce long-term side effects, and preserve appearance and function of the affected areas.

Advanced treatment options for head and neck cancer

We offer some of the most advanced medical, surgical and radiation treatments available.

These include:

• Chemotherapy—drugs that kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

• Targeted therapies—drugs that target specific tumor cells to make sure they do not grow or spread, such as immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors. Targeted therapies aren't for everyone. But if your doctor thinks your cancer might respond to this type of treatment, he or she can perform genetic testing to make sure you are eligible.

• Radiation therapy—a treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Our doctors perform "external" radiation therapy (where a machine outside the body aims radiation at the tumor). They also perform "internal" radiation therapy. This includes placing tiny capsules of radioactive material into a tumor.

• Surgery—our ears, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons perform minimally invasive and "open" procedures to treat head and neck cancer. Our goal is to remove tumors without harming muscles or other delicate structures involved in speech, swallowing and other functions. Reconstructive surgery may also help rebuild any bones or tissues removed during treatment.