Head and neck cancer
Specialist assessment and multidisciplinary treatment for patients with suspected or confirmed head and neck cancer, with the multidisciplinary team at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre.
What we treat
- Cancers of the mouth, tongue, tonsils and throat (oropharynx)
- Cancers of the voice box (larynx) and hypopharynx
- HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer
- Thyroid and salivary gland cancers
- Skin cancers of the head and neck requiring specialist surgical management
- Cancers presenting as a neck lump or enlarged lymph nodes
- Head and neck cancers requiring complex surgery and reconstruction
Head and Neck Cancer Clinic
Specialist head and neck surgeons assess each patient, and treatment recommendations are made through a weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting of ENT and head and neck surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses and allied health professionals. Treatment may involve surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy or a combination, depending on the diagnosis and the patient’s circumstances.
Our surgical expertise includes transoral robotic surgery (TORS), thyroid and salivary gland surgery, neck dissection, laryngeal surgery and complex reconstruction, including microvascular free-flap surgery.
URGENT — suspected or confirmed cancer
Referrals for suspected or confirmed head and neck cancer should be clearly marked URGENT and sent through St Vincent’s Hospital’s referral process; the referral form and how to send it are on the St Vincent’s Hospital ENT page.
Include relevant clinical findings, imaging, pathology and biopsy results where available; referrals should not be delayed while awaiting investigations. Private referrals go directly to the surgeon’s rooms.
For urgent clinical advice or concerns requiring immediate assessment, phone St Vincent’s Hospital switchboard on (02) 8382 1111 and ask for the on-call ENT registrar. Email alone should not be relied on for time-critical concerns.
Patient information: Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
Our surgeons
The department’s consultant surgeons work across the full breadth of otolaryngology, head and neck and skull base surgery. Each consults publicly through St Vincent’s Hospital and privately in their own rooms.