Treating head and neck cancer typically requires a multidisciplinary approach. 

At Englewood Health, our specialized teams collaborate to deliver the most advanced care. The team includes surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, patient navigators, and nutrition experts, pain and palliative physicians, integrative medicine, and other services. 

Your team meets regularly to review your case, discuss test results, and recommend treatment options. They develop a personalized plan of care tailored to the type and stage of your head and neck cancer, utilizing the most up to date therapies, while considering your personal goals and preferences.

Your Care Team

Your treatment team may include:

  • Otolaryngologists (ENT specialists): Ear, nose, and throat doctors who often diagnose and treat head and neck cancers, especially those involving the throat and larynx.
  • Medical oncologists: Specialists who manage head and neck cancer treatment using medications such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies and/or immunotherapies.
  • Radiation oncologists: Experts who plan and administer precise radiation therapy. 
  • Head and neck surgeons and plastic surgeons: Surgeons who remove head and neck cancers and those who are experienced in reconstructive procedures.
  • Nutritionists or dietitians: Professionals who offer guidance on maintaining proper nutrition during treatment to support your overall health and recovery.
  • Speech and swallowing therapists: Specialists who help improve speech and swallowing if challenges develop from head and neck cancer and its treatment.

Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer

If you have an early-stage head and neck cancer that is confined to a specific area, your care may include surgery. Whenever possible, our surgeons operate using minimally invasive techniques, with few or no visible incisions. Depending on the tumor’s location, size, and stage, surgical options may include:

  • Laser surgery: Use of a laser to precisely cut or destroy cancerous tissue. This treatment is often used for early-stage tumors in the mouth or larynx.
  • Endoscopic surgery: Minimally invasive techniques using an endoscope to access and remove tumors through small incisions or natural body openings (such as the nostrils to treat certain nasal and other skull base tumors). 
  • Tumor resection: Removal of the cancerous tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue. 
  • Neck dissection: Removal of lymph nodes in the neck that may be affected by cancer, often performed alongside tumor resection to address potential cancer spread.
  • Reconstructive surgery: Procedures to rebuild or restore function and appearance after tumor removal, which may involve skin grafts, tissue flaps, or prosthetics.
  • Salvage surgery: Performed when cancer comes back or keeps growing despite initial treatments, with the goal of removing remaining cancerous tissue and improving outcomes.

Medical Treatments for Head and Neck Cancer

Chemotherapy with radiation therapy is a common treatment for head and neck cancers. We try to schedule your chemotherapy and radiation therapy appointments for the same days, so you don't have to make extra trips for your care.

Our Infusion Center, located on the Englewood Hospital campus, offers a comfortable and convenient experience for patients returning often for therapy. We also offer medical treatments at our Jersey City and Fair Lawn locations, including:

  • Chemotherapy:  Anti-cancer drugs may be given before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. These drugs may be used at the same time radiation therapy has been prescribed to boost treatment effectiveness.
  • Targeted therapy: These medicines specifically target molecules fueling cancer cell growth and survival, minimizing damage to healthy cells.
  • Immunotherapy: These drugs harness the power of the immune system to find and attack cancer cells. For patients diagnosed with metastatic cancer, immunotherapy is often included in their first line of treatment.

Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

  • Radiation therapy is a major component of head and neck cancer care. Radiation may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. 
  • Radiation can be directed at specific areas of the head and neck, including the primary tumor site and nearby lymph nodes. It may be used alone to cure the cancer or with chemotherapy or surgery.
  • Englewood Health’s radiation oncology team utilizes cutting-edge technology at the Coe Radiation Oncology Center to precisely target cancerous tissues while minimizing exposure to healthy surrounding areas.

Geriatric Oncology for Head and Neck Cancer 

At Englewood Health, we offer specialized care for older adults diagnosed with head and neck cancers. Our team focuses on the unique needs of elderly patients, tailoring treatment plans to address both the cancer and any age-related health concerns. With a comprehensive approach that balances effective cancer treatment and maintaining quality of life, we provide personalized care that takes into account the patient's overall well-being and treatment tolerability.

Clinical Trials

Our oncologists participate in many clinical trials evaluating promising new treatment options for head and neck cancers. A clinical trial may give you access to a cutting-edge therapy that is not yet available as a standard treatment. Your care team will let you know if you may be eligible for any clinical trials. The decision to participate is entirely yours.

Survivorship Services 

After completing multidisciplinary therapy, patients are guided through a comprehensive survivorship meeting. This meeting provides an opportunity to review the treatments received and establish a personalized plan for ongoing surveillance and follow-up care. Our team will assess your current health status, discuss strategies for monitoring your recovery, and ensure you have the necessary support for long-term well-being following head and neck cancer treatment.