Head and Neck Cancers
The head and neck cancer program at the University of Chicago Medical Center sees patients with a wide variety of tumors. Team members have extensive experience treating patients with all stages and types of head and neck diseases.
Most head and neck cancers grow rapidly. These include cancers of the sinuses, mouth, tongue, tonsils, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and upper esophagus. The most common type of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Advanced Treatments
A combination therapy approach saved chef Grant Achatz's tongue from surgery. »Learn more New treatment options can eliminate the disease or halt its progression. In fact, intensive treatment available at the University of Chicago is able to control locally advanced head and neck cancer in the majority of patients. The treatment combines radiation and chemotherapy to improve patient survival. In most cases, it eliminates the need for debilitating surgery. In two studies conducted by University of Chicago doctors, this combined therapy provided complete local control for more than 90 percent of patients with advanced disease and 80 percent long-term survival without disease progression.
The doctors in the head and neck program also see many people with salivary gland cancer and have initiated trials using experimental agents to treat patients with metastatic disease. In conjunction with our colleagues in endocrinology, we also treat patients with a variety of thyroid carcinomas -- employing a multi-modality approach.
Many Options for Recurrent Disease
For patients with recurrent disease, options include surgery, radiation, and experimental therapies. The University of Chicago Medical Center is one of the leaders in re-irradiation -- a second treatment with full dose radiotherapy --combining radiation with chemotherapy and novel molecularly targeted agents. In addition, we have a very active program using novel agents in patients with metastatic disease.
Comprehensive Support Services
Besides these effective treatments, our cancer experts also can provide patients with the support they need to make behavior modifications, such as smoking cessation. Through individualized treatment plans, our experts can help patients control their disease and maintain or improve their quality of life.
