Treatment is tailored to each patient based on cancer type, stage, location, tumor biology, overall health, and personal preferences. Treatment options may include one or a combination of the following:
- Surgery: Surgery is often used to remove tumors and affected lymph nodes while preserving appearance, speech, and swallowing whenever possible. GW surgeons specialize in minimally invasive and advanced surgical techniques.
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy radiation is used to destroy cancer cells and may be delivered as external beam radiation therapy, including highly precise techniques to minimize damage to healthy tissue.
- Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment used alone or in combination with radiation for advanced-stage disease.
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific pathways involved in cancer growth.
- Immunotherapy: Treatments that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, used for selected head and neck cancers.
- Reconstructive Surgery: Restores appearance and function following cancer surgery.
- Clinical Trials: Access to innovative therapies through clinical research studies at the GW Cancer Center.
Treatment decisions are made collaboratively between patients and a multidisciplinary team to provide personalized, evidence-based care.
