Types of treatment used for head and neck cancer

There are three main types of treatment for head and neck cancer:

— surgery

— radiotherapy

— chemotherapy

— Two other treatments may sometimes be used:

— photodynamic therapy (PDT)

— biological therapies

Sometimes the treatment of head and neck cancers will involve two or more treatments combined together.

— For most people, the treatment is aimed at:

— removing the visible cancer

— reducing the chances of the cancer coming back

Cancers affecting the head and neck are uncommon and therefore people with this type of cancer are usually treated in specialist cancer hospitals (centres). This may mean that you have to travel for your treatment.