Programs and Services

Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Program

A Multidisciplinary Approach that Treats the Whole Patient
Cancer of the head and neck is relatively uncommon, but its treatment may have a major impact on the function and appearance of the individual patient. Because of the variety of treatments available and the importance of coordination between specialists, head and neck cancer is best treated by an experienced team of physicians, dentists and allied health care professionals.

This is why the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Program at the University of Connecticut Comprehensive Cancer Center was created in 1989. The only service of its kind in Hartford County and the northern half of Connecticut, the Program's multidisciplinary team has seen hundreds of patients with head and neck cancer for evaluation and treatment.

The Head and Neck Cancer Program treats all types of head and neck cancer, excluding the brain and central nervous system, and includes specialists from the following disciplines: head and neck surgical oncology; radiation oncology; medical oncology; oral and maxillofacial surgery; oral diagnosis; rehabilitation services; nutrition; and social work. Specialists in neurologic surgery, plastic surgery, oculo-plastic surgery and dermatologic surgery are readily available to assist, as necessary.

The Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Program includes:

• Head and Neck Surgery: including major resections of the oral cavity, pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer; combined craniofacial resections for nasal and sinus cavities; neck dissection; Moh's surgery for skin cancer.
• Radiation Therapy: including brachytherapy (radiation implants); stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy; linear accelerator based radiotherapy.
• Chemotherapy: including neoadjuvant (induction) chemotherapy; concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy; clinical trials with and without radiotherapy.
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: including local or regional pedicled flaps; microvascular free tissue transfer (free flaps).
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: plate reconstruction of the mandible; bone grafts; dental implants.
• Rehabilitative Services: including speech and swallowing therapy; physical therapy; occupational therapy; prosthodontics.
• Medical Nutritional Therapy
• Social Services

What to Expect During Your Appointment
Patients seen in consultation by members of the Head and Neck Cancer Team will typically be examined by all the various participating disciplines during their initial visit. The team then discusses various treatment options in a conference, and returns to the patients to convey its recommendations. This multidisciplinary approach greatly facilitates initial treatment planning, and allows the patient and family to be presented with a choice of treatment options, if available. In addition to optimizing coordination of standard therapies, this approach also helps ensure patients access to the latest clinical trials and protocols, if applicable. Reports summarizing findings and recommendations are sent quickly to referring physicians and dentists, as well as primary care physicians.

To arrange for a consultation with the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Program or for more information, please contact the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at 860-679-2100 or 800-579-7822 or email us at cancer@uchc.edu.