Head and neck cancer care
Excellence in head and neck cancer care at Penn Medicine
Established in 1991, our head and neck cancer program is one of the largest of its kind on the East Coast. A team of specialists works together to provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. We collaborate with you and other Penn Medicine specialists to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Rest assured, you’ll receive innovative and effective therapies. Penn Medicine experts in both cancer care and ear, nose, and throat care use the most advanced techniques, many of which were pioneered here. Our team developed and perfected transoral robotic surgery, the world’s first minimally invasive robotic surgery to remove mouth and throat tumors. We also oversee one of the largest clinical trial programs in the country, bringing you access to new and promising treatments.
Head and neck cancers we treat
- Ear melanoma
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- Head and neck tumors
- Pituitary cancer
- Salivary gland cancer
- Skull sarcoma
- Tonsil cancer
- Tracheal cancer
Our approach to head and neck oncology
Our head and neck cancer specialists offer advanced care with compassion. We have the skills, experience, and resources to deliver effective, leading-edge therapies. Our approach to care includes:
We tailor your care plan to your needs. Our team offers tumor screenings that pinpoint specific gene changes (mutations) and other tumor characteristics. The information from these tests helps us identify which treatments are most effective for you.
Our collaborative team also includes experts in head and neck reconstructive surgery and facial plastic surgery. Head and neck tumors often grow near major blood vessels and nerves and can cause damage to these areas. Our reconstructive and facial plastic surgeons work with your cancer team to create a seamless, personalized care plan. After tumor removal, we offer advanced techniques to restore your function and appearance.
You have access to a team of oncology navigators who support and guide you. They have extensive experience helping people navigate a cancer diagnosis. We connect you with the right providers, help you understand your diagnosis and care plan, and refer you to additional supportive services.
We also offer palliative care services, a comprehensive program available to all cancer patients. You can benefit from palliative care at any stage, whether you’re first diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or recently completed treatment. We partner with you to improve your symptoms, communication, and quality of life.
Palliative care may include:
- Cancer rehabilitation services to help with cancer-related fatigue, strength, range of motion, swallowing, voice, and speech
- Counseling sessions to support your spiritual and mental well-being
- Lymphedema management to reduce and treat swelling caused by cancer and its treatments
- Nutrition counseling to help you stay nourished despite potential challenges with chewing and swallowing
- Social workers to help you cope with your diagnosis, connect with support groups, or find additional community resources
- Survivorship care to promote your continued well-being and quickly identify any side effects or signs of recurrence
- Swallowing and speech therapy to improve swallowing and communication
Head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and many other doctors work together to review your case, discuss options, and recommend treatments. Our team approach also includes otorhinolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), reconstructive surgeons, endocrinologists, maxillofacial prosthodontists (experts in replacing bone or tissue in your jaw or face), oral and maxillofacial surgeons, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, and integrative medicine specialists. Together, we deliver the most comprehensive treatment for your needs.
Innovative head and neck cancer treatment
As an academic medical center, we offer access to the latest and most advanced treatments available for head and neck cancer. Penn physicians developed transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and we have performed more TORS procedures than any other program worldwide.
The revolutionary TORS approach enables our surgeons to access areas of the throat that are difficult to reach with traditional surgery. We can remove mouth and throat tumors without making any external incisions and with minimal effects on your quality of life. Using TORS, we can preserve your speech and ability to swallow with faster healing, less pain, and lower complication rates. We also developed technology that makes tumors “glow,” offering extreme precision and accuracy when operating on tumors.
Your care plan depends on multiple factors, including the cancer type, stage, potential treatment side effects, and your overall health. We help you find the most effective treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical.
Center for Head and Neck Cancer
The Center for Head and Neck Cancer, located within the Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia, is a collaboration between our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and cancer experts. Our team is among the largest and most experienced on the East Coast and works together to offer coordinated, effective treatment for all types of head and neck cancers. Here, you’ll not only have access to the most advanced treatment options, but also the surgeons who pioneered them.
HPV+ Head and Neck Cancer Translational Center of Excellence (TCE)
At Penn Medicine, we’re looking for new and better ways to treat head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Oropharyngeal (throat) cancer is one of the most common HPV-related cancers. However, current standard treatments can cause long-term side effects.
Our physician-scientists are working to identify HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer biomarkers. Biomarkers give us more information about the characteristics of a cancer and how well it may respond to certain treatments. With this information, we aim to:
- Identify patients who have an increased risk of cancer returning
- Maintain high cancer cure rates
- Personalize cancer treatment to find the most effective therapies
- Reduce the intensity of cancer treatment when less invasive treatments would be effective
Cancer care at Penn Medicine
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.
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