Head and neck cancer

About

Our head and neck cancer service manages the full spectrum of head and neck tumours and associated conditions. As regional secondary and tertiary head and neck cancer centre, the unit delivers diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services for head and neck malignancies and benign tumours. This includes mouth and throat cancers, salivary gland tumours, skull base cancers, skin cancers, and benign head and neck conditions. In addition, we treat salivary gland stones, and swallow and voice conditions.

We innovate and lead in techniques such as transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for cancers of the base of tongue and tonsils, salivary duct endoscopy, free tissue transfer, and base of skull approaches. We contribute to national research studies in immunotherapy, surgical technology and intensity modulated radiotherapy.

As regional head and neck cancer centre, supra-regional skull base surgery centre, and national centre for adult airway reconstruction, patients are referred to us from around London, across the UK and from other countries around the world.

Conditions and treatments

• Head and neck cancer
• Jaw cancers
• Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
• Mouth cancer
• Mouth ulcers
• Nasal cancer
• Neck cancer
• Parotid lumps
• Salivary gland cancers
• Salivary gland problems
• Salivary stones
• Skin cancer of head face and neck
• Skull base
• Sinus cancer
• Throat cancers
• Thyroglossal cysts
• Thyroid nodules and goitre

In most cases, the aim of treatment is to remove or destroy all of the cancer and to reduce the chances of it coming back. Treatment options vary depending on the size, location and stage of the cancer but generally include radiotherapy or surgery, or a combination of both.

If radiotherapy is suggested as the best treatment this may involve some chemotherapy, either before or during the radiotherapy.

Additional information

Fellowships and elective placements

The department of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery offers an advanced fellowship year in all aspects of ablative head and neck surgery. The fellowship is approved by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The post is advertised annually through NHS Jobs online.

Our service accepts elective placements. Please contact the medical electives department at imperial.electives@nhs.net for more information.

Further online resources

• Macmillan – Head and neck cancers
• Cancer Research UK – Head and neck cancers
• Mouth Cancer Foundation
• Let’s Face It support network
• Changing Faces
• National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs
• Throat Cancer Foundation
• NHS choices
• British Association of Head and Neck Oncology
• British Association of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ENTUK)