Your head & neck care team – working together for you.
At St. Luke’s, you are never alone in your care. Our Head & Neck Cancer Team brings together specialists to create a treatment plan that is personalized for you. Your first step in care will typically be with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. Together, we collaborate behind the scenes to make sure every decision is coordinated and focused on your well-being.
Understanding head & neck cancers
Head and neck cancers are a group of cancers that develop in the tissues and organs of the head and neck region, including the mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), sinuses, nasal cavity, salivary glands, and thyroid gland. While a cancer diagnosis can be concerning, many head and neck and thyroid cancers are highly treatable, particularly when detected early.
Major risk factors for head and neck cancers include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and infection with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV-16, which is a leading cause of cancers of the tonsils and base of the tongue. With expertise in HPV-related cancers and thyroid disease, our multidisciplinary team is committed to delivering timely diagnoses, coordinated care, and the most effective treatment to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Head & neck cancer symptoms and diagnosis at St. Luke's
Recognizing the signs of head and neck and thyroid cancer is crucial for early diagnosis. Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the cancer but may include:
- A sore in the mouth or on the lip that does not heal
- A persistent sore throat or cough
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, neck, or throat
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
- Trouble swallowing
- Voice changes or hoarseness
- Persistent nasal congestion or nosebleeds
- Trouble breathing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ear pain
- Pain in front of the neck
Head and neck cancer symptoms in women are generally the same as in men. If you experience any persistent symptoms, consult your doctor or dentist. At St. Luke's, diagnosing head and neck cancer involves a thorough evaluation of a physical exam, medical history discussion, endoscopy, imaging tests, biopsy, as well as HPV testing by our ear, nose, and throat specialists and oncologists.
Types & staging of head & neck cancers
Head and neck cancers can develop in a variety of locations throughout the head and neck region. Thyroid cancer, which begins in the thyroid gland, is often classified separately due to its unique behavior and treatment approaches.
- Oral cavity: Lips, gums, tongue, floor of mouth, hard palate.
- Pharynx (throat): Nasopharynx (upper part), Oropharynx (middle part, including tonsils and base of tongue - often HPV-related), Hypopharynx (lower part).
- Larynx (voice box): Contains the vocal cords.
- Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: Spaces inside the nose and bones around the nose.
- Salivary glands: Glands that produce saliva. Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common type across these locations.
- Head and neck skin cancer: this includes all skin including scalp, ear, face, neck cancers including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and other skin cancers of the head and neck.
- Thyroid cancer: Cancer that develops in the thyroid gland.
- Any cancer in the neck that arose elsewhere
Head and neck cancer staging: Staging (using the TNM system, resulting in stages 0-IV) describes the tumor size (T), spread to nearby lymph nodes (N), and spread to distant sites (M). For HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, a separate staging system is often used due to its different behavior and prognosis. Our specialists will explain your specific cancer type and stage clearly.
Thyroid cancer staging: Thyroid cancer is also staged using the TNM system and considers the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and spread beyond the thyroid gland. The stage helps guide treatment recommendations and provides important information about prognosis.
Our philosophy of care
We don’t just treat the cancer—we treat the person. Head and neck cancers affect how we speak, eat, breathe, and look and can involve one or more types of treatment to treat the cancer completely. Our team works together with our allied health professionals to not only cure cancer, but restore function and limit the side effects of treatment.
Expert, collaborative care for head & neck cancer
Multidisciplinary Case Conference Review
Our team meets weekly for a Multidisciplinary Case Conference Review—commonly known as a tumor board—to collaboratively review imaging, pathology, and patient goals. Together, we develop a unified treatment roadmap that promotes faster decision-making, stronger care coordination, and improved patient outcomes.
Meet Your Care Team
- Head & Neck Surgeon: Leads surgical treatment and focuses on complete tumor removal while preserving function.
- Radiation Oncologist: Delivers precise radiation therapy to treat cancer while sparing healthy tissue.
- Medical Oncologist: Manages chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted systemic treatments.
Advanced head & neck cancer treatments
St. Luke’s University Health Network offers a comprehensive range of advanced treatments for head and neck and thyroid cancers. Treatment plans are tailored based on cancer type, stage, location, HPV status, and overall health. Our multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and nurse navigators—works together to deliver personalized care.
Options may include:
- Surgery: removal of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes, ranging from minimally invasive procedures such as transoral robotic surgery (TORS) to more extensive operations, with a focus on preserving speech and swallowing.
- Radiation Therapy: uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and may be used alone, after surgery, or with chemotherapy. Techniques such as Intensity‑Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) allow precise targeting while sparing healthy tissue.
- Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Therapy: Often used after thyroidectomy for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells that may have spread. St. Luke's provides RAI therapy in a safe and controlled environment.
- Chemotherapy: uses drugs that circulate throughout the body and is often combined with radiation therapy or used for advanced or metastatic disease.
- Targeted Therapy: drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer growth, such as EGFR inhibitors.
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that help the immune system fight cancer and is increasingly used for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers.
Cancer clinical trials
Clinical trials offer patients access to cutting-edge, innovative treatments and therapies that are not yet widely available and can help advance cancer research. Through St. Luke's Cancer Clinical Trials, patients will be monitored by our expert teams, as well as have the opportunity to contribute to future breakthroughs in cancer care. Eligibility can vary by trial and may depend on your diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. If you're eligible, you'll receive detailed information about the trial, including potential risks and benefits. Participation is always voluntary and your care team will support you every step of the way.
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Role: Evaluates swallowing and speech before, during, and after treatment
Goal: Keeping the patient's "swallowing muscles" active and teaching new ways to communicate if the voice is affected
Registered Dietitian (Nutrition)
Role: Proactive weight management and hydration strategies
Goal: Preventing the malnutrition that often leads to treatment delays
Oncology Social Work
Role: Navigating the emotional, financial, and logistical hurdles of cancer
Goal: Ensuring the patient has the mental health support and resources (transport, lodging) to focus on healing
Dental Support
Role: Managing oral health, especially before radiation
Goal: Protecting the teeth and jawbone from treatment-related side effects
Physical Therapy
Role: Restoring movement, reducing treatment side effects, and helping patients return to daily activities
Goal: Manage post treatment complications like lymphedema, shoulder weakness
Frequently asked questions about head & neck cancer
Common symptoms include a persistent sore throat, a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, a non-healing mouth sore, or ear pain. Symptoms vary by location.
Certain types of HPV, particularly HPV-16, are a major cause of oropharyngeal cancers (tonsils and base of tongue). HPV-positive cancers often have a better prognosis than HPV-negative cancers caused by smoking/alcohol.
This is the most common type, arising from the squamous cells that line the moist surfaces inside the head and neck (like the mouth, throat, and voice box).
Most common types, like papillary thyroid cancer, usually grow very slowly. However, rare types like anaplastic thyroid cancer can spread quickly. Your doctor will discuss the specifics of your cancer type.
The most common early sign is a lump or swelling in the neck. Other signs can include neck pain, voice changes, trouble swallowing or breathing, and a persistent cough.
Beat Cancer With Us…
At St. Luke’s, our cancer patients benefit from all of that, plus an unparalleled level of support and compassion. You are not alone we are with you every step of the way. Whether you are newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, we are here to help.
You can easily find a specialist near you and learn more about our Cancer Center locations to begin your care journey.
Call St. Luke’s HopeLine – one number for all your needs: 484-503-HOPE.