If you are diagnosed with a cancer of the head or neck, you can rely on the expert and compassionate care of Jefferson University Hospital physicians and staff.

We share in a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of cancers that affect the esophagus, nose, mouth, voice box, and thyroid. We are also experienced in a specific type of benign tumor, acoustic neuromas, that affects the hearing and nerves that control balance, as well as in parotid tumors that occur in the salivary glands.

Team Approach to Patient Care
The close relationships we share with our colleagues in neurosurgery, plastic surgery and ophthalmology enable the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery to provide the most comprehensive cancer care for patients. Jefferson otolaryngologists participate in a weekly tumor conference where patients are discussed with members of Jefferson University Hospital’s Kimmel Cancer Center—radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons and nurses. In these meetings, we develop a team approach to the care of our patients, with a focus on providing an individualized plan that offers patients the very best outcome.

Clinical Trials Access
Clinical trials are conducted when a new treatment method shows promise. Academic medical centers like Jefferson University Hospital are where one is most likely to find a clinical trial program. The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery collaborates with the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University Hospital on several ongoing clinical trials for head and neck cancers. The advantage for patients who participate in clinical trials is that they may be the first to benefit from a new or improved therapy. Many patients feel that their participation is making an important contribution to medical science. Please feel free to ask us if you would like to know more about any of the trials we are currently conducting at Jefferson.

Helping Hands to Lend Support
In addition, the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University Hospital offers a number of services to support your emotional concerns as well as physical needs. These include access to several types of patient and family support programs: a smoking cessation program, the Buddy Program for newly diagnosed patients, a laryngectomee support group that meets monthly, and a Patient Advocacy Committee that helps the Kimmel Cancer Center stay in touch with the issues that most affect patients.

NIH-Funded Research Center
Jefferson University Hospital’s Kimmel Cancer Center has over 200 researchers devoted to the fight against cancer and receives significant funding from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and many other public and private sources. Through our own dedicated laboratory and full-time research staff, members of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery have collaborated with Kimmel Cancer Center investigators in studies designed to learn more about head and neck cancer and autoimmune disease.

In addition, the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has been funded by the National Institutes of Health to support research into non-surgical approaches to the treatment of thyroid cancer and autoimmune disease. Our promising discoveries have been presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Visit the Kimmel Cancer Center for more information.

Nutritional and Mind/Body Approaches to Care
Jefferson also offers a Center for Integrative Medicine that provides nutritional and mind/body approaches to cancer care. For details, please click here.