Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • All CitiesAll Cities
  • Services
  • Cancer Services
  • Head and Neck Cancer
Content

Alta Bates Summit Head and Neck Cancer Services

A diagnosis of head and neck cancer can be frightening. At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, your team of oncologists and rehabilitation specialists will work together to make sure you get the best, most effective treatments available today, as well as any help you need to regain your appearance or physical function.

Doctor comforting patient

Connect with a Head and Neck Specialist

Featured Services

  • Cancer Support Groups
  • Genetic Testing and Counseling
  • Nurse Navigator Program
  • Pain Management and Palliative Care
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

OpenView more services offered in the Sutter network.

Head and Neck Cancer within the Sutter Health network

The Sutter Health network has doctors and services in more than 100 California cities.

    CloseView more services offered in the Sutter network.

    Treating Head and Neck Cancers

    Being diagnosed with a head and neck cancer can be life-changing. So many day-to-day functions depend on that area of the body: eating, drinking, speaking, swallowing and breathing.

    At Sutter cancer centers, you partner with a primary oncologist (cancer specialist) as well as an entire team of doctors, therapists and other health professionals who are dedicated to making sure you get the best treatment possible, as well as any rehabilitation and support services needed.

    Before you begin treatment, a group of doctors with expertise in several types of cancer treatment (sometimes called a tumor board) will meet to discuss your test results and diagnosis, and will collaborate on a treatment plan for you.

    Diagnostic Testing

    Across the Sutter Health network, we offer a variety of diagnostic procedures, including:

    • Endoscopy — Your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) to perform an exam.
    • Videostroboscopy — A special endoscope is used to look at your vocal cords and see how well they are functioning.
    • Biopsy — Your doctor removes a tissue sample to send to a pathology lab for analysis. Samples are obtained using a surgical knife or by inserting a thin, hollow needle into the area and withdrawing tissue (fine needle aspiration).

    Imaging

    Several types of imaging exams can help to diagnose head and neck cancers, including CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, bone scan and PET scan. A special type of rotating X-ray machine, called a panorex, may be used to get a comprehensive X-ray of your jaws and teeth.

    Woman getting head scan

    Another imaging test often used to diagnose head and neck cancer is a barium swallow (upper GI series). It can help your doctor to see where problems are located in your throat.

    Medical Therapy

    Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor might suggest one of several chemotherapy options.

    In some cases, chemotherapy will be the main treatment, rather than surgery. Or chemotherapy may be used after surgery, often in conjunction with radiation therapy, to try to destroy any cancer cells left behind.

    Another treatment option is targeted therapy. These drugs attack specific characteristics found on your cancer cells, such as proteins that help the cells divide.

    Radiation Therapy

    Radiation therapy is used as the primary treatment for some small cancers of the head and neck. It is also often used after surgery, to treat any additional cancer cells left behind, and sometimes before surgery to shrink a tumor.

    Surgical Treatment

    Surgery is often used to remove tumors found in the head and neck area. Surgeons in the Sutter Health network use a variety of procedures including:

    • Cordectomy — The vocal cords are removed (or a portion of them).
    • Laryngectomy — Part or all of the voice box (larynx) is removed. If the entire larynx is taken out, the surgeon will need to perform a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure that connects your windpipe to a hole in the front of your neck, allowing you to breathe.
    • Laser Therapy — Tissues are vaporized or cut out with the use of a high-intensity laser light that sits on the end of an endoscope.
    • Mohs Micrographic Surgery — The surgeon removes a thin layer of tissue, which is then immediately examined under a microscope. If cancer cells are present, the surgeon removes another layer, which is then examined. This is repeated until the surgeon has removed a layer that contains no cancerous cells.

    In some cases, your surgeon may perform a robot-assisted procedure, which allows very precise movements in less accessible areas and also makes smaller incisions.

    Additional Services

    Treatment for head and neck cancer can be disruptive, possibly altering your appearance as well as how you breathe and eat. Your doctor will talk with you about reconstructive surgery options.

    Your doctor may also talk with you about pain management and palliative services, which can help keep you feeling as well as possible. In addition, special services and support professionals can help you cope with the many changes in your life, with support groups, nutritional counseling, behavioral health services and more.

    Health and Wellness

    In Your Corner

    Nurse consoling patient

    Get Personalized Help and Information

    Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming. Sutter Health network care navigators can help you find your way.

    Doctor conducting medical research

    Considering a Clinical Trial?

    Learn what a clinical trial is (and isn’t) and why you might consider participating in one.

    Pet therapy dog

    Helpful Resources for Cancer Patients

    We offer many classes and services for our patients, from support groups to healing yoga sessions.

    Health and Wellness

    Staying Active When You're Being Treated for Cancer

    Stay Active

    You might not feel like running a marathon, but some gentle exercise can be good for you. Learn how a walking program can help.

    Stay Active

    Head and Neck Cancer Research

    Sutter Health Head and Neck Cancer Research

    Sutter Health Head and Neck Cancer Research Sutter Health Head and Neck Cancer Research

    Doctors at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

    The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
    Ajay K. Upadhyay, M.D., FACS, FRCS

    Ajay K. Upadhyay, M.D., FACS, FRCS

    • Cancer Surgery

    Christian P. Conderman, M.D.

    Christian P. Conderman, M.D.

    • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

    Bao D. Dao, M.D.

    Bao D. Dao, M.D.

    • Medical Oncology

    LeAnn M. Blankenship, M.D.

    LeAnn M. Blankenship, M.D.

    • Medical Oncology

    Tsuan T. Li, M.D.

    Tsuan T. Li, M.D.

    • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

    Rita O. Kwan-Feinberg, M.D., MPH, FACS

    Rita O. Kwan-Feinberg, M.D., MPH, FACS

    • Cancer Surgery

    Hank K. Ng, M.D.

    Hank K. Ng, M.D.

    • Medical Oncology

    Christine M. Kim, M.D.

    Christine M. Kim, M.D.

    • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

    Rex E. Moulton-Barrett, M.D.

    Rex E. Moulton-Barrett, M.D.

    • Otolaryngology ENT - Head and Neck Surgery

    View All Related Doctors

    Services Near You

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Herrick Campus

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Herrick Campus

    2001 Dwight Way

    Berkeley, CA 94704

    (510) 204-4444

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Summit Campus

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Summit Campus

    350 Hawthorne Avenue

    Oakland, CA 94609

    (510) 655-4000

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Alta Bates Campus

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Alta Bates Campus

    2450 Ashby Avenue

    Berkeley, CA 94705

    (510) 204-4444

    View All Related Locations

    About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences