What is the first treatment for head and neck cancer?

Head and neck cancer can begin in different areas, including the mouth, throat, voice box, nose or nearby structures. The team considers the exact site, tumour size, lymph nodes, spread, swallowing and speech function, and your general health. These details determine whether removing the tumour, treating it with radiotherapy, or combining treatments offers the most appropriate starting plan.

Surgery may include tumour removal and, when lymph nodes are involved, neck dissection. Radiotherapy can be used alone or alongside chemotherapy. Immunotherapy may be considered for particular disease settings. Nutrition and speech or swallowing support can begin before treatment, not only after side effects appear.

Ask the team to show where the cancer is and explain the purpose of each proposed treatment. Arrange dental review when advised, because mouth care can affect radiotherapy planning. Tell the team about weight change, loose teeth, swallowing difficulty, medicines and tobacco or alcohol use. A nutrition specialist can help protect eating and hydration during treatment.

Discuss how treatment could affect voice, swallowing, taste, appearance and work. Cancer rehabilitation may help with speech, swallowing, movement and fatigue during recovery. Write down appointments and bring someone who can help remember the options.

Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing neck or facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, severe dehydration, or sudden confusion. During treatment, contact the oncology team promptly for a high fever, worsening mouth sores that prevent drinking, or repeated vomiting. Breathing problems require emergency services.

Ask which area is affected, whether lymph nodes need treatment, and whether the first step is surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Ask about dental care, nutrition, speech and swallowing support, expected appointments, and symptoms that should prompt a same-day call.