Cancers of the head and neck take many forms, including cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, thyroid, skin, salivary glands and swallowing passages. All require coordinated, individualized treatment that targets the disease while ensuring the highest-possible quality of life for patients — before, during and after treatment.
The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in the greater Washington area provides a full range of treatment and post-treatment services.
Patients at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., receive state-of-the-art multidisciplinary care that is close to home, with access to all the expertise and research of Johns Hopkins, including participation in clinical trials, led by Johns Hopkins and the National Institutes of Health.
Services include:
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology: Surgeries for head and neck cancers are performed at Suburban Hospital and at the Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center in Bethesda.
Medical Oncology: The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital provides the very latest in oncology treatments, with access to clinical trials, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and other advanced therapies.
Radiation Oncology: Traditional radiation treatments are offered at radiation oncology centers in Bethesda and at Sibley. Proton therapy, offered at the Johns Hopkins Proton Therapy Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, may be appropriate for some head and neck cancers. This new form of radiation treatment more precisely targets tumors while sparing nearby healthy tissues and organs.
Speech and Swallow Therapy: Johns Hopkins speech language pathologists at Sibley Memorial and Suburban hospitals help patients keep or regain speech and swallowing function.
Lymphedema Program: Johns Hopkins physical and occupational therapists at Sibley Memorial Hospital treat swelling from head and neck cancer treatment.
Endocrinology: Thyroid experts in head and neck endocrine surgery at Sibley Memorial and Suburban hospitals treat patients with thyroid or parathyroid cancers.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: The Johns Hopkins Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which has a location at the Johns Hopkins Health Care and Surgery Center in Bethesda, provides world-class facial cosmetic surgery, facial reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Nutrition: Nutritionists or dietitians work closely with the care team and with patients in all stages of care and recovery.
