At the Penn Center for Head and Neck Cancer, decisions regarding how to treat your cancer are personalized. A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and many other specialists will meet to review your case, discuss treatment options, and provide recommendations in order to determine the best course of action for you.
The type of treatment you receive depends on a number of factors including the type of cancer you have, your cancer stage, possible side effects and your overall health.
Performing Leading-Edge Surgical and Non-surgical Techniques
Our head and neck surgeons utilize the most advanced surgical techniques for treating cancer – many pioneered at Penn – to help patients choose between modern surgical and non-surgical approaches.
Head and neck cancer treatment is generally classified into local therapy and systemic therapy. Local therapy affects the head and neck and often includes surgery and radiation therapy. Systemic therapy affects the whole body and often includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Systemic therapy reduces the likelihood that the tumor will come back in other parts of the body.
Surgical Treatment Options
The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer with the fewest side effects possible and the finest cosmetic outcomes, in order to provide you with the highest quality of life. Surgical treatment options may include:
TORS is a minimally invasive, robotically-assisted, surgical approach to removing benign and malignant tumors of the mouth, throat and voice box. Using this approach, tumors can be completely removed while preserving speech, swallowing, and other key functions that help maintain the highest quality of life possible.
If surgery is part of your treatment plan, you will receive comprehensive documentation from your surgeon’s office outlining the steps that you will need to take to prepare for your surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
There are a number of non-surgical treatment options, including: