Head & Neck Cancers

Cánceres de cabeza y cuello

Experiencia y Cuidado Colaborativo

Our Shaw Cancer Center physicians are highly skilled across all specialties relevant to the care of our patients with cancer affecting the head and neck region. With the goal of providing individualized, comprehensive care to each patient, our medical oncologists and radiation oncologist will meet with each patient to formulate a cohesive treatment plan.

You’re not alone in this journey; our team will assist you by helping navigate your care from diagnosis through treatment. They will assist you with scheduling doctor appointments, coordinating imaging with radiology, scheduling surgery, and communicating all your needs to your care team.

Oncología radioterápica

Bajo el liderazgo de Dra. Patricia Hardenbergh, The Shaw Cancer Center utilizes state of the art technology to administer radiation therapy that targets and kills cancer. Each treatment plan is customized specifically for the patient’s anatomy. Types of radiation therapy we use to treat head and neck cancer include IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) as well as IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy).

Patients may undergo a PET/CT scan to aid in radiation treatment planning prior to starting radiation treatment. Patients receive a small dose of a radioactive drug, primarily composed of sugar, referred to as a tracer. Tumors consume this tracer, leading to the emission of signals that effectively illuminate the tumor. These images are then used in radiation treatment planning to deliver focused radiation beams directly to the tumor.

Shaw Cancer Center also utilizes immobilization techniques, including creation of masks that are molded and made for each individual patient. These techniques aid in ensuring that radiation is delivered to the same area that targets the cancer, each day of treatment.

Oncología médica

Dr. Alec Urquhart and Dr. Erin Schwab direct care for patients who require or would benefit from systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are antibody treatments that enlist the help of the immune system to target and treat cancer. Targeted therapies attack cancer cells by targeting specific mutations in certain cancers. In some cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given at the same time (concurrently), as chemotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy for some cancers of the head and neck region. This combination treatment can be used instead of surgery or after surgery to improve cure rates. Other times these treatments are used alone to control and treat metastatic cancer.

Nutritional Support & Speech Therapy

The Dietitians at Shaw work closely with patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers starting before treatment and at times, for months after treatment is completed to ensure optimal outcomes. Prior to starting treatment, most patients will need to meet with a dentist to ensure all dental needs are up to date. It is common practice that patients will receive a feeding tube prior to the start of treatment. The feeding tube is essential to provide an alternative method of feeding when it becomes difficult to get proper nutrition and hydration by mouth as treatment progresses. Additionally, a Speech Language Pathologist provides therapy to patients before, during, and after treatment to help maintain the highest level of swallowing function possible.

Una gama completa de tratamientos a considerar.

Shaw Cancer Center providers will work with you to review all your treatment options and help guide you in choosing the treatment, or combination of treatments, that best suit your needs and goals. The range of treatments offered for head and neck cancer, depending on appropriateness for each patient, includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.

Detectando cáncer.
Shaw Cancer Center utilizes CT scans and MRIs to detect head and neck cancer. PET/CT can also be utilized in certain cases to determine if cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

Personalizar el tratamiento según el riesgo individual.
Nuestro equipo utiliza biomarcadores predictivos y características genéticas y biológicas de un paciente individual para personalizar y optimizar mejor el tratamiento para personas con cáncer.

Hacer la cirugía menos invasiva y más efectiva.
Your team of physicians work closely with a range of specialized head and neck cancer surgeons in the Vail Valley and Denver area to help determine what type of surgery is recommended.

Planificar con precisión la radiación para reducir los efectos secundarios.
Shaw Cancer Center’s radiation oncologist is an expert in planning radiation treatment that targets head and neck cancer and spares normal healthy tissue. We offer the latest in cancer radiation options.

Soporte y Servicios Durante Tu Viaje

Ofrecemos una red de apoyo para ayudarte con tus necesidades físicas, mentales y espirituales, con el fin de mejorar tu bienestar en cada etapa de tu tratamiento y recuperación.

  • Programa Supervivencia
    • Dirigido por un equipo de fisiólogos del ejercicio, este programa facilita el entrenamiento de fuerza y el ejercicio aeróbico para, no solo aumentar el bienestar general, sino también para ayudar a mitigar los efectos adversos asociados con el tratamiento del cáncer.
  • Fisioterapia
    • Nuestra relación con Howard Head Sports Medicine nos permite ofrecer varios ejercicios de fortalecimiento muscular para ayudar en tu recuperación.
  • El Lugar de Jack
    • Casa de acogida de doce habitaciones para alojamiento in situ para pacientes y sus cuidadores/parejas durante su tratamiento contra el cáncer.
  • Dieta y Nutrición
    • Nuestra nutricionista te ayudará con un plan adaptado a tus objetivos de recuperación.
  • Servicios de Apoyo Psicosocial
    • Ofrecemos una variedad de servicios psicosociales dirigidos por consejeros oncológicos y trabajadores sociales calificados: Erin Perjeda, Kristi Grems y Sarah Roberts.
  • Servicios de Salud Integrativa
    • Nuestros servicios integrativos están diseñados para ayudar a los pacientes a afrontar la experiencia del cáncer y mejorar su bienestar general. Ofrecemos masajes, reiki y acupuntura.
  • Asesoramiento Genético
    • Nuestro consejero genético puede ayudar a guiar a los pacientes a través del proceso de comprender mejor el impacto del cáncer en su tratamiento actual, las futuras pruebas de detección de cáncer y la familia.