Treatment Options for Head and Neck Cancers

We offer a variety of minimally invasive, highly effective treatments for head and neck cancers.

Our team of head and neck cancer specialists uses the least invasive, most effective options possible to treat many different types of head and neck cancers.

How does Henry Ford treat head and neck cancers?

Successfully treating head and neck cancer often requires a combination of treatments, including:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Immunotherapy

Our doctors have pioneered innovative surgical techniques to treat head and neck cancers. Some of these techniques include:

• Photodynamic therapy
• Transoral robotic surgery (TORS)
• Transoral laser surgery, which uses minimally invasive laser surgery to remove head and neck tumors

A New Standard: Immunotherapy Before and After Surgery

For eligible patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, we now offer immunotherapy as a core part of curative treatment, given around the time of surgery, not just if cancer returns. Based on recent landmark clinical trial results, this is the first approach in nearly two decades to show a meaningful improvement in survival for this group of patients. Our team is among the first in the region to bring this to patients.

Your care team will talk with you about whether this approach is right for you.

Personalized Monitoring With MRD Testing

We offer MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) testing to all of our head and neck cancer patients. This highly sensitive blood test detects tiny fragments of tumor DNA in your bloodstream, sometimes called a "liquid biopsy," and can identify early signs that cancer may still be present or returning, often before it appears on a scan.

We use MRD testing to monitor how well your treatment is working, catch any potential recurrence as early as possible, and help personalize your follow-up care.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Your doctor will work with you to discuss your options and recommend the best treatments. Then, together, you’ll create a personalized treatment plan for your cancer. Our care for head and neck cancers includes: