Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancers develop in the mouth, throat, sinuses or nose. Sarah Cannon Cancer Network oncologists can treat them with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery. Reconstructive surgery may also be used to improve function and appearance.
Specialized head and neck cancer care
As one of the nation’s largest networks of head and neck specialists, we offer advanced treatment options tailored to each patient’s unique condition.
Through HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, patients receive coordinated, leading-edge care for a variety of head and neck cancers. Our comprehensive oncological services include early diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, survivorship support and long-term surveillance.
Conditions our oncologists treat
We address both malignant and benign conditions across the head and neck region, including:
- Cancer treatment complications
- Cervical lymph node metastases
- Complex skin cancers
- HPV-associated cancers
- Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers
- Mouth cancers
- Nasal cavity tumors
- Oral cavity cancers
- Oropharyngeal cancers
- Paragangliomas
- Paranasal sinus tumors
- Parotid tumors
- Recurrent head & neck cancers
- Salivary gland tumors
- Skull base tumors
- Throat cancers
- Thyroid and parathyroid tumors
Advanced surgical and treatment capabilities
Our long-standing relationships with physicians and dentists across the country promote streamlined patient care and recovery.
Delivering personalized head and neck cancer care
Experienced cancer specialists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, innovative therapies and the latest surgical techniques to perform over 20,000 head and neck procedures annually. Many surgeries performed use minimally invasive or robot-assisted technologies.
Treatments we offer include:
- Advanced radiation therapy protocols
- Advanced skin cancer treatment
- Complex reconstruction, including free flap and microvascular reconstruction
- Facial nerve surgery
- Glossectomy
- Laryngectomy
- Mandibulectomy
- Maxillectomy
- Mohs reconstruction
- Neck dissection
- Parathyroidectomy
- Parotidectomy
- Phase 1-3 clinical trials
- Skull base surgery
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Thyroidectomy
- Tracheal resection
- Transoral laser microsurgery
- Transoral robotic surgery
Our multidisciplinary approach
The head and neck cancer care program is supported by physicians with varied experience across surgical oncology, reconstruction and supportive services. We also work with other medical professionals, including:
- Clinical trials and research team members
- Dentists and maxillofacial prosthodontists
- Head and neck and oral dermatopathologists
- Medical oncologists
- Neuroradiologists
- Nutritional therapists
- Oncological and reconstructive surgeons
- Radiation oncologists
- Social workers
- Speech and swallowing specialists
- Survivorship team
Head and neck cancer nurse navigators
Our highly trained nurse navigators offer personalized guidance and assistance from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. These team members coordinate appointments and serve as a trusted point of contact during a patient’s cancer journey. Across our head and neck cancer care program, we currently employ more than 20 nurse navigators who have served over 1,400 individuals.
Growing our head and neck oncology programs
Our network of care continues to impact people all around the country. We are dedicated to making comprehensive head and neck cancer care as accessible as possible. Our locations include:
- Charleston, South Carolina — Head and Neck Specialists
- Denver, Colorado — Swedish Medical Center
- Nashville, Tennessee — Centennial Medical Center
- Asheville, North Carolina — Mission Hospital
- Jacksonville, Florida — HCA Jacksonville
- Savannah, Georgia — HCA Memorial
National leadership and education
Our leaders convene three times a year to drive quality initiatives, standardize clinical pathways and guide the introduction of leading-edge science into clinical practice. Physicians shape and drive the agenda, creating opportunities for leadership, mentorship and sharing of best practices.