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Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers account for about 2.8 percent of all new cancer cases. Head and Neck cancers comprise malignancies involving the oral cavity, throat, lips, mouth, nose, oropharynx, larynx, skin, as well as the thyroid, parathyroid, parotid and salivary glands. Tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) increase the risk of head and neck cancers. Approximately 1.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with oral cavity and pharynx cancer at some point during their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Head and Neck Cancers We Treat

Below are the Head and Neck cancers commonly treated through Sarasota Memorial's Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. If you’re seeking care for a specific or rare cancer that isn’t on this list, please call 941-917-7777, and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.

Navigating Head & Neck Cancer

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•    Head and Neck Cancers including HPV-Related
•    Thyroid Cancer
•    Parathyroid Cancer
•    Tongue Cancer
•    Throat Cancer
•    Glottic Cancer
•    Laryngeal Cancer
•    Hypopharyngeal Cancer
•    Oropharyngeal Cancer
•    Oropharynx Cancers
•    Nasal Cancer
•    Parotid Gland Tumors
•    Salivary Gland Cancer
•    Sarcoma of the Head and Neck
•    Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck including Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Sarasota Memorial’s integrated cancer care program uses a multidisciplinary team-based approach to leverage our specialists’ collective experience and expertise in diagnosing and treating even the most challenging Head and Neck cancers.

The program features an infusion center, offering traditional chemotherapy and the latest targeted therapies, as well as a radiation oncology center. Surgical and interventional options using the most innovative, minimally invasive tools and techniques like DaVinci Robotic-assisted surgery, are provided in the new 8-story oncology tower on Sarasota Memorial’s main campus. The tower has 56 private inpatient suites dedicated to cancer treatment and recovery, the latest treatment and surgical technology, 9 new operating rooms, and a full array of patient navigation, counseling and support services.

Surgical Treatments for Head and Neck Cancers

•    Scarless transoral thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy
•    Neck dissection for thyroid cancer lymph node metastases
•    Thyroidectomy
•    Parathyroidectomy
•    GammaTile Therapy
•    Glossectomy
•    Tumor Excision 
•    Maxillectomy
•    Mandibulectomy
•    Palatine Tonsillectomy
•    Transoral Robotic Radical tonsillectomy
•    Transoral Robotic Lingual Tongue 
•    Total laryngectomy/total laryngopharyngectomy
•    Tracheostomy
•    Tracheoesophageal puncture 
•    Orbital exenteration 
•    Rhinectomy
•    Auriculectomy
•    Sentinel lymph node biopsy
•    Sialendoscopy 
•    Parotidectomy
•    Submandibular gland excision 
•    Excision substernal goiter
•    Microvascular free flap reconstruction (anterolateral thigh, fibula, scapula, radial forearm, and temporoparietal fascia free flaps)
•    Regional pedicled flaps (facial artery myomucosal flap, submental artery island flap, temporalis flap, pectoralis major flap)

Non-surgical treatments for Head and Neck Cancers

Cancer Care Beyond Treatment

At the Jellison Cancer Institute, we treat more than just the disease. Our care focuses on the whole person, helping patients—and their families—through the physical, emotional and mental effects of cancer. This integrated cancer care approach includes:

Cancer Review Board

Sarasota Memorial’s team of cancer specialists meets weekly to review patient cases and to collaborate on the best treatment strategies for each case. This team includes oncology surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional and diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, certified oncology nurses, supportive care clinicians and other specialists. Collaboration ensures our patients have very best care and most treatment options available.

Accreditation & Honors

The Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial carries the nation's highest level of accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). It has maintained continuous CoC accreditation since 1988.

More Resources for Patients and Caregivers

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Cancer info office, call 941-262-7500