Head and Neck Cancer
Each year, approximately 12,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, including cancer of the larynx (voice box). Head and neck cancer is a general term used to describe cancers in this area. It is the fourth most common cancer among men in the UK.
Contact UsWhat is Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancer is a general term that covers many different types of cancer. Head and neck cancers include cancers in the mouth, tongue, nose or sinuses, throat, salivary glands, and the middle ear. The main types of head and neck cancer include nasal and paranasal sinus cancer, mouth and oropharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, salivary gland cancer, tonsil cancer, tongue cancer, throat cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer.
We work together to combine the highest levels of consultant-led care and patient choice with the most advanced knowledge and understanding of the disease and its forms.
Learn more about Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers are classified based on their location and the type of cell they originate from. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of these cancers. Squamous cells line the surfaces inside the head and neck, such as the mouth, nose, and throat. These cancers frequently spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, leading to swelling.
Common Types of Head and Neck Cancer:
● Mouth cancer (oral cancer)
● Tongue cancer
● Nasopharyngeal cancer
● Oropharyngeal cancer
● Hypopharyngeal cancer
● Laryngeal cancer (voice box)
● Nasal and sinus cancer (paranasal sinuses)
● Salivary gland cancer
● Middle ear cancer
Treatments available at Clatterbridge Private Clinic
Head and neck cancers are not common, so Clatterbridge Private Clinic is one of a few centres which specialises in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Clatterbridge Private Clinic offers several advanced and innovative treatments for head and neck cancer. Our expert consultants take the time to get to know you and your needs so they can create a tailored treatment plan which is most appropriate for your condition. All our treatments are delivered by specialist multi-disciplinary teams who are dedicated to providing exceptional care to each and every patient. The type of treatment you need will depend upon the type of head and neck cancer you have.
Surgery
Surgery is one of the main treatments for cancers of the head and neck. The type of surgery you will have will depend on the size and position on the cancer and the aim of surgery is to remove the cancer completely. At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we partner with a specialist surgical team working out of the Sefton Suite in Liverpool. Dr Jason Fleming a leading Head and Neck surgeon employs the only Da Vinci single port robot for Head and Neck surgery in the North of England, with all the benefits of a less invasive technique brings to recovery and outcomes. Your treatment can be provided before or after surgery, depending on the treatment plan our specialist team provides.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy can be used after surgery to prevent cancer returning, before surgery to shrink the cancer, or as an alternative if surgery is not an option. It can be used on its own, but it is often given in combination with chemotherapy which is known as chemoradiation treatment. At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we offer advanced radiotherapy techniques such as image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and three-dimensional radiation therapy (3D-CRT), all delivered by our expert radiographers.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It uses cytotoxic drugs to disrupt the cancer cell’s ability to grow and reproduce. It is usually given in combination with radiotherapy to treat locally advanced head and neck cancers, but it may also be used alone. Patients at Clatterbridge Private Clinic are treated within our state-of-the-art outpatient chemotherapy suite and have access to the latest drug regimes, some of which may not be routinely available on the NHS.
Targeted drug therapies
Targeted drug therapies exploit the behaviour of cancer cells in order to destroy them or slow their growth. These therapies use anti-cancer medicines to treat head and neck cancers and are given as injections or tablets. Clatterbridge Private Clinic is one of the only clinics in the northwest with access to the most advanced targeted drug therapies for the treatment of head and neck cancer, many of which are not available on the NHS.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. Clatterbridge Private Clinic is the only clinic in the northwest that provides a range of innovative immunotherapy outpatient treatments for head and neck cancers.
Head & Neck cancer specialists
At Clatterbridge Private Clinic, we have a team of expert consultants who specialise in the treatment of head and neck cancers and have advanced knowledge of the disease. Your consultant will get to know you and your needs, and talk you through your treatment options, discussing any potential side effects and what the treatment can be expected to achieve. They take the time to get to know you on a more personal level, and will be on hand throughout your journey with us to discuss your progress, provide updates, and answer any questions you may have.
