Head and Neck Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer: Overview

In the video below, Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr. Namou Kim provides and important overview of what to expect with Head and Neck Cancer.

National Institute of Cancer estimates that Head and Neck cancers affect approximately 39,000 individuals in the US annually (3 to 5% of all cancers).

These cancers originate within the structures of the head and neck, including the lips, oral cavity, sinus-nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, lymph nodes of the neck, salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid glands, and the skin of the head and neck region.

Treatments

Individualized treatment plan may include a combination of surgical, radiation, and chemotherapeutic intervention.

• Surgery

  Our surgical team within the Head and Neck Cancer program will utilize state-of-the-art techniques to extirpate cancers while maximizing function preservation.This includes microvascular surgical techniques, utilizing free flaps to enhance reconstructive capacities after cancer ablation. Our surgeons also offer modern trans-oral laser microsurgery for oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers. This new minimally invasive technique for select cancers has the benefit of improved preservation of speech and swallows after cancer treatment.

• Radiation Therapy

• Chemotherapy

Research and clinical trials

If your physician believes you are a good candidate to participate in a clinical trial evaluating a new treatment or more effective combinations of treatments — and you agree — you will have access to the very latest in research treatments.

At any given time, the Swedish Cancer Institute offers patients more than 140 clinical-research studies involving most types of cancers.  Additionally, our physician specialists collaborate with other regional and national research groups, including  Southwest Oncology Group, National Cancer Institute, Puget Sound Oncology Consortium and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Education and support for patients and families

Beyond physical health, the Swedish Cancer Institute is committed to the emotional well-being of our patients and their families. We offer:

• Individual and family counseling, and support groups
• An on-site  education center 
• A full array of  complementary therapies 
• A dedicated  cancer rehabilitation program
• Specialized  nutrition care for those fighting cancer

Complementary therapies include:

• Naturopathic care 
• Massage therapy 
• Meditation 
• Art therapy
• Music therapy 

See Patient Support and Resources and Services for the Body, Mind and Sprit at Swedish.

Appointments & Referrals

Head & Neck Surgery

Locations & phone numbers

Radiation Therapy

Locations & phone numbers

Chemotherapy & Biological Therapy

Locations & phone numbers

Forms

Health History form
Please print, fill out, and bring to your first appointment.

See also:
All contacts & phone numbers
New patient Information