Head and Neck Cancer Care

We know how difficult the first visit can be as you face overwhelming information about your diagnosis and treatment options. We’ll be there to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. As we move forward through this journey together, your opinion continues to be valued at each step of the decision-making process. It’s our hope you feel like part of the treatment team from day one.

During your visit, you’ll meet with a team of nurses and doctors for a health evaluation and complete physical exam. We’ll review your medical history, medications, lab work, prior imaging studies and prior procedures. If you do not yet have a diagnosis, we may order certain tests based on your condition, like imaging, tissue or blood tests.

Once we’ve reviewed your results, we’ll help you understand our findings and explain what next steps are available to you. 

A variety of treatment options are available depending on your condition, including: 

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy

Your treatment is tailored to your unique health concerns, including the impact on your quality of life. When possible, we’ll recommend conservative treatment options that are less disruptive to your overall well-being. In certain cases where your condition means surgery isn’t an option, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation can be an effective alternative.

Your treatment plan is also evaluated weekly by a group of experts, including surgeons, oncologists and speech pathologists. This evaluation is critical to ensuring your care is on track, as your health needs may change over the course of treatment.

Surgery may be required to remove a tumor or reconstruct an area damaged by a tumor. Our surgeons receive extensive training in order to master a number of delicate head and neck surgeries. If you need surgery, we’ll help you understand how each procedure works, risks involved and what to expect after. A number of minimally invasive surgeries are available, which offer faster recovery and better outcomes in certain situations.

We perform the following surgeries:

• Transoral robotic surgery (TORS), where your surgeon removes a tumor in the mouth with the help of computer-guided tools. TORS offers some patients shorter recovery times and often reduces or eliminates the need for radiation and chemotherapy.
• Microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck, used to repair areas of the tongue, jaw, palate and face often damaged by complex advanced tumors. Tissue from the lower leg, thigh or forearm may be used to complete the reconstruction.
• Endoscopic laser microsurgery of the larynx, an alternative to total or partial laryngectomy (larynx removal) for certain patients. This procedure offers faster recovery times and less impact on voice and swallowing.
• Minimally invasive oral cavity surgery, which uses fewer, smaller incisions than other oral surgeries. This surgery avoids reconstruction and gives you faster recovery with less dysfunction of speech and swallowing.
• Minimally invasive parotidectomy (saliva gland removal), an alternative to traditional parotidectomy with smaller and fewer incisions. You may heal faster and have better outcomes in preserving function and physical appearance.
• Advanced airway surgery, to treat and conserve sections of the airway affected by conditions like tumors. 
• Sialoendoscopy, used to diagnose and treat conditions in the saliva glands. Our team was one of the first to perform this procedure in the U.S.
• Advanced skin cancer surgery, required when advanced skin cancers spread to nearby structures like the ear or nose. Multiple specialists and procedures are required to provide you the best outcomes in preserving function and physical appearance.
• Endoscopic skull base surgery, where a tiny camera is inserted through the nose to help remove tumors from the base of the skull. Our team performs this procedure more than any other in the region.

Difficulties with speech or swallowing are common challenges for head and neck cancer patients. After treatment, specialists at the Loma Linda University Voice and Swallowing Center are by your side to help address these challenges. Your recovery is guided by a personalized rehabilitation program to give you the best results.

Your dedicated cancer coordinator will continue to help you get the support you need after treatment, including:

• Speech language pathologists, who can help you with speech or swallowing disorders
• Nutritionists, who help you adjust your dietary needs through treatment and recovery
• Patient education, to help you improve your health by providing new information, perspectives and skills 
• Psychosocial care, which includes appropriate mental health and social support
• Pastoral care, to support you spiritually