What are the treatment options for head and neck cancer?

The plan depends on where the cancer started, its size, whether lymph nodes or other areas are involved, and your general health. Tumour removal surgery may remove the primary growth. A neck dissection can remove lymph nodes in the neck when this is needed. Radiotherapy uses focused energy to treat cancer cells and may be given after surgery or as the main treatment for some tumours. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are medicines that may be used before or after local treatment, or when cancer needs treatment throughout the body.

Head and neck treatment can affect swallowing, speech, saliva, taste, breathing, or appearance. Nutrition support helps maintain intake when eating becomes difficult, while cancer rehabilitation can address movement, communication, swallowing, and daily activities.

Ask which part of treatment is intended to remove or control the tumour and which part is intended to reduce the chance of cancer returning. Before treatment, discuss dental assessment, swallowing and speech support, nutrition, smoking or tobacco cessation, and how treatment could affect work and eating. Keep a written list of medicines and tell the team about dental problems, hearing concerns, and other health conditions. A multidisciplinary team may coordinate surgery, medicines, radiotherapy, nutrition, and rehabilitation.

Seek urgent medical advice for trouble breathing, inability to swallow liquids, heavy bleeding, rapidly increasing swelling of the face or neck, or new confusion. During treatment, contact your oncology team promptly for fever, repeated vomiting, dehydration, severe mouth or throat pain, or an inability to eat and drink. Use the emergency service if breathing is severely impaired.

Which treatment is recommended first, and what is its purpose? Will I need surgery, radiotherapy, medicines, or a combination? How might treatment affect swallowing, speech, teeth, or nutrition? Who can help with rehabilitation? What symptoms should prompt a same-day call?