Head, Neck, Thyroid & Endocrine Cancer

Head and neck cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer. However, there are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the lips and mouth (oral cavity), larynx (voice box), nose and sinuses, pharynx (throat), salivary glands and nasopharynx (the area at the back of the nose and mouth).

We provide the best possible care for patients who are diagnosed with head and neck malignancies. We provide support, information, counselling and education to you and your relatives and carers throughout treatment.

A cancer diagnosis has a great impact on patients and carers, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of care for all our patients at every stage in their pathway.

What we do

The head and neck cancer team provide a diagnostic and treatment service for patients with suspected or confirmed head and neck cancer after referral from your GP or another healthcare professional.

More information:

• Maxillofacial
• Ear Nose and Throat

Treatment

Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:

• surgery
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy

Thyroid and Endocrine Cancer

The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate metabolism and a number of other functions. The RD&E’s department of thyroid and endocrine surgery sees, offers advice about and treats thyroid cancer, benign thyroid diseases, parathyroid and adrenal disease.

The thyroid gland is butterfly shaped and located in the neck. Thyroid cancer is quite rare, with around 3,500 people in the UK diagnosed with it each year.  It’s more common in women than men at a ratio of 3:1. Goitre is a general term for an enlarged thyroid gland.  There are a number of different causes for goitre, the vast majority of which are benign.

The thyroid and endocrine cancer service is built around the thyroid and endocrine cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) that includes surgeons, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists and specialist nurses.  All patients with a cancer diagnosis are discussed at a weekly team meeting that is peer review approved.  The team’s surgeons are all members of the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons, contributing to the national database through which activity and results are monitored.

Treatment

Treatment options will be discussed with you by one of our team but could include:

• surgery
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy