Why Choose Us for Head & Neck Cancer Treatment
鈥淓verything we needed, we got. I feel that Huntsman Cancer Institute treated my whole family.鈥
Kaci Popp
Head and neck cancer patient
The Huntsman Cancer Institute Head and Neck Cancer Care Team excels at the complex, multidisciplinary care required to treat cancers of the aerodigestive tract. This includes the nose, the mouth, the throat, and the voice box, as well as skin cancers of the head and neck. In addition, we are a leader in treating endocrine cancers鈥攃ancers of the thyroid gland and benign conditions of the thyroid and parathyroid gland.
Our team extends beyond surgeons to include radiation oncologists, neuroradiologists, therapists for rehabilitation, and dietitians and nutritionists.
Specialized Treatments
Head and neck cancers can be categorized into five areas in the aerodigestive tract: oral cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer, salivary gland cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Treatments for these cancers include the following:
- Minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Radioactive iodine therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
Our Expertise
Our Head and Neck Cancer Care Team brings together experts from various specialties, including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and reconstructive surgery. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive a tailored treatment plan that is suited to their specific needs.
Additionally, our surgeons have specialized training in advanced techniques like robotic surgery and transoral laser surgery, which are minimally invasive and can offer faster recovery times with fewer side effects.
Patient Care Philosophy
We believe no one should face cancer alone. Our dedicated and world-renowned doctors, nurses, and medical staff are at the forefront of patient-centered care. We treat the whole person, not just their cancer.
Each day, our medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists work together across disciplines to create and coordinate treatment plans for every patient. We understand cancer is a complex disease. That is why we use a team approach that includes social workers and support groups, as well as wellness and integrative health services such as acupuncture, massage, creative arts, and more.
Find a Head & Neck Cancer Doctor
Head & Neck Cancer Research
Our head and neck cancer clinical trials are breaking new ground with cancers that have historically been uniformly fatal, including novel therapies for anaplastic thyroid cancer, immunotherapy, and the significant reduction of radiation doses for HPV-driven throat cancers. Learn about HPV and vaccination to prevent cancers.
Clinical Trials
Make an Appointment with a Head & Neck Cancer Specialist
To make an appointment with a head and neck cancer specialist, fill out our appointment form or call 801-587-7000. Our team will determine if your insurance covers treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute or if you need a referral from a primary care doctor.
External providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-587-7000 to speak to a patient registration specialist.
Head & Neck Cancer Basics
Lip and oral cavity cancer (also called oral cancer) is a disease where cancerous cells form in the lips or mouth. Huntsman Cancer Institute experts recommend having your dentist screen for oral cancer at routine checkups. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of oral cancer between checkups, make an appointment with your doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Signs & Symptoms
These are signs of lip and oral cavity cancer:
- A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
- A lump or thickening on the lips or gums or in the mouth
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
- Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip or mouth
- Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
- Swelling of the jaw
- Sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Change in voice
It鈥檚 important to remember that many other health problems can also cause any of these signs. If you have any of them, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
The chance of getting lip or oral cavity cancer increases with tobacco use. These are other risk factors:
- Excess exposure to natural or artificial sunlight
- Having the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Drinking alcohol
Stages of Oral Cancer
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the lips and mouth or to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
These are the stages of lip and oral cavity cancer:
- Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ): Abnormal cells are in the lining of the lips and oral cavity.
- Stage 1: Cancer has formed, and the tumor is less than 2 centimeters.
- Stage 2: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters, but less than 4.
- Stage 3: The tumor may be any size and has spread to the lymph nodes, or it is larger than 4 centimeters.
- Stage 4 (4A, 4B, and 4C): The tumor has spread outside the lip or oral cavity and may have spread to other parts of the body.
Oropharyngeal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the oropharynx. The oropharynx includes the soft palate, side and back walls of the throat, tonsils, and back one-third of the tongue.
Signs & Symptoms
These are signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer:
- A sore throat that does not go away
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble opening the mouth fully
- Trouble moving the tongue
- Weight loss for no clear reason
- Ear pain
- A lump in the back of the mouth, throat, or neck
- A white patch on the tongue or lining of the mouth that does not go away
- Coughing up blood
It鈥檚 important to remember that many other health problems can also cause any of these signs. If you have any of them, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
These are risk factors for getting oropharyngeal cancer:
- Smoking
- Having the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- A personal history of other types of head and neck cancer
- Heavy alcohol use
Stages of Oropharyngeal Cancer
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the lips and mouth or to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
These are the stages of oropharyngeal cancer:
- Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ): Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the oropharynx.
- Stage 1: Cancer has formed in the oropharynx only and is 2 centimeters or smaller.
- Stage 2: Cancer has formed in the oropharynx only and is 2鈥4 centimeters.
- Stage 3: Cancer has spread to one lymph node or has spread to the epiglottis (the flap that covers the trachea during swallowing).
- Stage 4 (4A, 4B, and 4C): Cancer has spread to other parts of the body or more lymph nodes.
Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the nose.
Signs & Symptoms
These are signs of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer:
- A lump or sore inside the nose that does not heal
- A lump on the face or roof of the mouth
- Numbness or tingling in the face
- Swelling or other trouble with the eyes, such as double vision or the eyes pointing in different directions
- Blocked sinuses that do not clear, or sinus pressure
- Headaches or pain in the sinus areas
- Pain in the upper teeth, loose teeth, or dentures that no longer fit well
- Pain or pressure in the ear
- A persistent runny nose or nosebleeds
It鈥檚 important to remember that many other health problems can also cause any of these signs. If you have any of them, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
These are risk factors for getting paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer:
- Being exposed often to certain chemicals or dust
- Smoking
- Having the human papillomavirus (HPV)
Stages of Paranasal Sinus & Nasal Cavity Cancer
Cancer stages show whether cancer has spread within or around the lips and mouth or to other parts of the body. Cancer spreads in the body in three ways: through tissue, the lymph system, or the blood.
These are the stages of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer:
- Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ): Abnormal cells are in the innermost lining of the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, or ethmoid sinus.
- Stage 1: Cancer has formed in only one area of the mucous membranes of the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity, or ethmoid sinus.
- Stage 2: Cancer has spread to bone around the maxillary sinus (roof of the mouth and the nose) but not to the back of the maxillary sinus or the base of the skull, or the cancer is in two areas of the nasal cavity or ethmoid sinus.
- Stage 3: Cancer has spread to any of these areas: base of skull, eye socket, tissues under the skin, or ethmoid sinuses; or the cancer has spread to one lymph node smaller than 3 centimeters.
- Stage 4 (4A, 4B, and 4C): Cancer has spread to other parts of the body or more than one lymph node.
Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease where cancerous cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.
Signs & Symptoms
These are signs of salivary gland cancer:
- Fluid draining from the ear
- A lump (usually painless) in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth widely or swallowing
- Numbness or weakness in the face
- Pain in the face that does not go away
It鈥檚 important to remember that many other health problems can also cause any of these signs. If you have any of them, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
The chance of getting salivary gland cancer increases with age. These are other risk factors:
- Previous radiation treatment to the head and neck
- Exposure to certain substances at work
Thyroid cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
Signs & Symptoms
These are the signs of thyroid cancer:
- A lump (nodule) in the neck
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble or pain when swallowing
- Hoarseness
It鈥檚 important to remember that many other health problems can also cause any of these signs. If you have any of them, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Causes & Risk Factors
The chance of getting thyroid cancer is most common in people between 25 and 65 years old. Additional risks include the following:
- A personal history of thyroid cancer or other thyroid disease
- A family history of thyroid cancer
- Exposure to radiation to the head and neck as an infant or child, or radiation from an atomic bomb
- Having certain genetic conditions
- Familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome (MEN2A)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B syndrome (MEN2B)
- Being female
These tests are used to diagnose head and neck cancer:
- Tissue sampling: The health care provider removes cells or tissues with a small scope so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.
- Physical exam and history: A health care provider examines your body for signs of disease. Your personal health habits, past illnesses, and symptoms help guide the exam.
- Imaging tests: Using dyes, X-rays, magnets, radio waves, and/or computer technology, your health care provider can create detailed images of internal organs. Your health care provider may inject or have you swallow a dye to help see the images.
- Biopsy: The health care provider removes cell or tissue samples so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.
