Head and Neck Cancer

One of the Leading Head and Neck Cancer Hospitals in the Country

Patients treated at UH Seidman Cancer Center benefit from the expertise and experience from teams that treat more than half of the head and neck cancer patients in Northeast Ohio. Using a patient-centered, team-oriented approach for the best possible results, we pursue aggressive new treatments that are personalized for each patient. Other benefits of getting treatment at UH Seidman Cancer Center include:

• Less invasive surgical techniques for shorter recovery times
• Highly experienced rehabilitation teams
• Proven reconstructive techniques to preserve quality of life
• Access to promising clinical trials

Head & Neck Surgery and Oncology

Watch to see how we provide Head & Neck cancer care.

Why the HPV Vaccine is Important

The HPV Vaccine prevents about 30 percent of cancers in adults. John Letterio, MD, Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospitals explains how this vaccine is a form of immunotherapy will allow us to eradicate many HPV-related cancers in our lifetime.

Innovative Therapies Bring New Hope to Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center is a nationally recognized innovator in the treatment of head and neck cancerous and noncancerous tumors. Our team offers:

• Aggressive new treatments that are personalized for each patient
• Proven reconstructive techniques to preserve quality of life
• A team-oriented, patient-centered approach for the best possible results
• Access to promising clinical trials
• Less invasive surgical techniques for for shorter recovery times
• Highly experienced rehabilitation teams
• Expertise from teams that treat more than half of the head and neck cancer patients in Northeast Ohio

Play this video to hear how we deliver Head & Neck cancer care.

Continuing Leadership in Technology and Technique

Head and neck cancer treatment at UH Seidman Cancer Center includes a record of innovations and firsts that make a difference in patients’ lives.

• We were first in Ohio to offer the CyberKnife® for treating hard-to-reach tumors without the use of a scalpel or anesthesia.
• Our teams are leaders in establishing the comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treating head and neck cancers.
• UH Seidman Cancer Center remains the only hospital in Northeast Ohio to offer Intraoperative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT), which is precise radiation delivered during surgery.

As this leadership continues today, we proudly offer the following advanced treatment options:

• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which involves using computers to precisely shape and aim radiation doses-keeping healthy tissue from being destroyed.
• Reconstructive surgery, including sophisticated techniques for microvascular free-tissue transfer-the use of tissue from elsewhere in the body to replace the cancerous tissue that was removed. These techniques have vastly improved quality of life by maintaining or improving both form and function after ablative surgical procedures.
• Positron emission tomography (PET), for an accurate, fast diagnosis and effective monitoring of a patient's progress after treatment
• Intraoperative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT), which enables the precise delivery of radiation in the operating room addressing the areas of concern
• Cytoprotective agents, which prevent some of the effects of radiotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy, uses laser light to create singlet oxygen to destroy cancer cells. It is a powerful and fast-acting weapon against cancer.
• Endoscopic surgery, which enables surgeons to operate on throat cancers without a neck incision; instead, a thin tube called an endoscope is inserted into the mouth to expose the throat. A microscope is utilized to see the tumor and a laser is then used to perform the operation.
• Transoral robotic surgery (TORS), which is now approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), for certain cancers in the throat. The robot improves both access and visualization of certain tumors.
• Access to promising new trials and drugs
• Proton Therapy

Making it Easier for Patients and Families

At UH Seidman Cancer Center, ensuring patient wellness and providing support are integral facets of our standard of care. For example, we work hard to schedule our patients’ tests and treatments in the same area of the hospital and during the same appointment times whenever possible. Since dealing with financial issues can be burdensome, we also help families explore financial options.

To keep patients and their families educated and informed, our physicians take the time to explain all available treatment options and the potential risks involved. Prior to any procedure, our team of doctors meets with the patient to let him or her know exactly what to expect.