Preserving Voice and Vitality: Head & Neck Cancer Care What is the Head & Neck Cancer Pathway? Head and neck cancer care involves the diagnosis and treatment of tumors located in the delicate structures of the upper aerodigestive tract. Because this area is responsible for breathing, swallowing, and speech, our treatment philosophy is centered on "functional preservation." Your plan may include robotic-assisted surgery (TORS), microvascular reconstruction, precision radiation therapy, or targeted systemic treatments. Our surgical specialists focus on removing the malignancy with extreme precision, often utilizing "keyhole" or transoral techniques to minimize external scarring. If a larger area must be removed, our reconstructive surgeons perform advanced "flap" procedures to restore the structure and function of the face and neck. Why is this Pathway Personally Vital for You? The head and neck are central to how you communicate and interact with the world. A specialized oncology approach is personally vital for you if: You Require Speech and Swallow Preservation: We utilize advanced surgical techniques designed to protect the nerves and muscles essential for natural speaking and safe swallowing. You Face Tumors in High-Visibility Areas: Our team prioritizes aesthetic outcomes, using plastic surgery principles to ensure that oncological clearance does not compromise your appearance. Early Staging of Lymph Nodes is Necessary: We perform sentinel node biopsies and specialized neck dissections to ensure the cancer hasn''t spread, providing the most accurate "roadmap" for your recovery. A Multidisciplinary Team is Essential: Your care involves not just oncologists and surgeons, but speech-language pathologists and specialized dietitians to ensure your quality of life is maintained throughout treatment. The Path to Functional Restoration and Stability The goal of our head and neck program is to eradicate the cancer while stabilizing your vital airway and nutritional health. This pathway is designed to: Provide Targeted Surgical Excellence: Whether performing a localized resection or a complex reconstruction, our focus is on complete cancer removal and functional rehabilitation. Ensure Clinical Readiness through Rigorous Screening: To map the tumor’s proximity to major nerves and blood vessels, we require a full medical history, diagnostic X-rays (including chest X-rays, Panorex dental films, or CT/MRI/PET scans), and comprehensive blood tests (including thyroid function tests, nutritional markers, and inflammatory panels). A Focused Recovery and Stabilization Window: Following surgical intervention or the start of a new therapy cycle, we focus on a 2–3 week recovery and stabilization period. This timeframe is essential for the delicate tissues of the throat or mouth to heal, for any reconstructive sites to stabilize, and for our multidisciplinary board to finalize your long-term rehabilitation plan. All details are subject to doctor evaluation for the final treatment plan.