Many cancers of the Head and Neck can be cured, especially if they are diagnosed early. Curative treatment of cancer is the primary goal as well as preserving the delicate nerves, organs, and tissues in the head and neck area. When planning treatment, doctors consider how treatment might affect a person’s quality of life, such as how a person feels, looks, talks, eats, and breathes.
A team of specialists meet to talk about the best treatment for you. This team is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The MDT for Head and Neck cancer may include the following healthcare professionals:
The MDT often includes other healthcare professionals, such as:
Where research is taking place and new treatments have become available we have seen some of the highest survival rates in the world.
As well as advancements in improving current treatment options including more refined surgical techniques and targeted radiation to reduce harmful side effects, breakthroughs are currently being made across a whole range of areas. For example, new imaging techniques are being developed to help guide treatment choice and predict response, meanwhile virus therapies and new immunotherapy combinations are being developed and tested by researchers in the field.
See our research pages for more information on the projects that we are currently funding in order to develop innovative treatments to not only cure, but offer kinder options for head and neck cancer.
Follow us
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
Oracle Cancer Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1142037), and in Scotland (SC052790).
Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (7125497). Registered address: 80 Coombe Road, New Malden KT3 4QS.