This year, about 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed with some type of head or neck cancer. These include cancers of the sinuses, oral cavity (floor of the mouth, tongue, tonsils), oropharynx (throat), larynx (voice box) and upper esophagus. Many cancers of the head and neck can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early. Today’s most advanced treatment methods are available at Athens Cancer Center, which is the first radiation oncology group in Athens, Ohio. Our team of radiation oncologists at Athens Cancer Center are highly trained and skilled and have over 36 years of combined experience.
The next dimension in radiation therapy.
Comprehensive treatment planning for head and neck cancer is paramount, particularly because tumors that form in these regions can affect speech, swallowing and facial nerve function. At Athens Cancer Center, we develop treatment plans to not only destroy a tumor but also provide for functional rehabilitation of the patient.
For cancers of the head and neck, external-beam radiation therapy is one of three primary treatments. The other two are surgery and chemotherapy, which are often combined with radiation therapy for the best treatment results. One innovative external-beam radiation therapy offered at Athens Cancer Center is three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT). 3-D CRT combines multiple radiation treatment fields to deliver precise doses of radiation to head and neck tumors while at the same time minimizing the amount of radiation to nearby healthy tissue.
Athens Cancer Center will also utilize intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to treat cancers of the head and neck. IMRT takes 3-D CRT to a whole new level. It uses detailed 3-D imagery and powerful computer planning to conform radiation beams to precisely match the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. IMRT reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissue, thereby reducing the risk of mandibular fracture, spinal cord compression and painful soft-tissue fibrosis.
To learn more about Athens Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art treatment methods for head and neck cancer, please call 740-566-4600 today.