Head & Neck Cancer
Receive expert care for head and neck cancer at Billings Clinic. Your dedicated care team provides complete treatment and support, empowering you to make informed decisions and actively participate in your journey to recovery.
What is Head & Neck Cancer?
Head and neck cancers are a varied group of tumors. They can begin or spread to the mouth, throat, voice box, salivary glands, nasal passages, and neck.
Your diagnosis may include:
Cancer Care Team Approach
You’ll get care from a compassionate, expert head and neck cancer team at Billings Clinic. The team offers complete diagnosis, treatment, education, support, and survivorship care.
Advantages of Team Care
Head and neck cancers benefit from a team approach to care. You’ll get clear information about your diagnosis, treatment, and possible outcomes. Your doctors work together during treatment planning.
Cancer Care Team Members
Your care team may include:
- Patient care navigator—Coordinates your evaluation and answers your questions
- Ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist)—Provides diagnosis and surgical treatment for tumors in the head and neck
- Radiation oncologist—Uses radiation to manage and treat cancer
- Medical oncologist—Uses chemotherapy and biotherapy before, during, or after other treatments
- Dietitian—Assesses and monitors your nutritional needs throughout treatment
What to Expect
After your referral to the Billings Clinic Cancer Center by a doctor or yourself, expect the following steps:
- Your patient care navigator will reach out to you. They will coordinate your lab, imaging, and first doctor’s appointment.
- A meeting with your patient care navigator, who will also go with you to your appointments
- Attend your doctor’s appointment to talk about your cancer diagnosis and treatment options. You and your doctor will create a preliminary treatment plan.
- A group of cancer specialists meet to review your plan and, if needed, adjust it so you get the best possible care.
- Your lead cancer doctor and you will meet to finalize your treatment plan.
- Your patient care navigator will coordinate your treatment appointments.
Treatments
Treatment for head and neck cancer depends on the type, location, and if the cancer has spread. Your treatment may include a combination of:
Clinical Trials
Access to new and evolving research and clinical therapies is available at Billings Clinic. We also work with partners like the Montana Cancer Consortium (MCC), Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and NCI Community Cancer Center Program (NCCCP).
Multiple Specialty Support Care
These Billings Clinic health professionals can also help you find the care and support services you need during treatment:
- Dental—Teeth and jaw treatments
- Speech therapy—Evaluates and treats speech and swallowing difficulties that can arise
- Financial counselors—Helps you with financial concerns and insurance
- Social worker—Offers help with financial concerns, finding housing during treatment, and support for emotional, psychological, and social issues
- Tobacco cessation coach—Helps you and your family to quit tobacco use
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