Head and neck cancer

The term had a neck cancer includes a number of cancerous conditions which can present initially with symptoms in your nose, throat or head and neck area. The term includes cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, saliva glands, sinuses and skin. 

Head and neck cancer usually requires treatment from a number of different specialty teams within a hospital and the treatments for head and neck cancer can have significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Significant rehabilitation may be needed following treatment for head neck cancer.

If your GP thinks you have symptoms which might be caused by a head and neck cancer they would often refer you to your local hospital on the pathway for patients with suspected cancer otherwise known as a two week wait referral. 

Your local team will usually be able to work out whether your symptoms are related to a cancer or another condition. This may require test such as endoscopy or scans. Biopsies may also be required. Once you have had all the correct tests you will be discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) where a group of individuals from different specialties will recommend the best course of treatment for you.

Diagnosing head neck cancer

The key to diagnosing head and neck cancers to see a head and neck cancer specialist as quickly as possible. Although this is normally done rapidly within the NHS via the two week wait system, if you don’t feel you are progressing quickly enough or want to get a second opinion, please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Treatment  

Treatments for head and neck cancer vary depending on where the cancer has come from. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of both sometimes with chemotherapy. Some cancers need treatment just from oncologists including immunotherapy or other biological therapies.

Follow up 

People who have had treatment for head and neck cancer often need a period of follow-up. Some people prefer to extend that follow-up and have ongoing cancer checks or decide on a more individualised programme for scans and appointments. Please contact us if you wish to discuss these with you on an individual basis.

Ongoing symptoms management

Often people who have had treatment for head neck cancer will have persistent symptoms caused by their treatments. Sometimes these symptoms need checking or indeed need specific treatments themselves. We understand how stressful these situations can be and are happy to arrange these checks and investigations for you.