Head & Neck Cancer Treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center

An estimated 40,000 men and women in this country develop head and neck cancer annually, and 20,000 more will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. 

We treat all cancers of the head and neck region

The most typical head and neck cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. The area in which they begin (called the primary site) identifies these cancers. The common primary sites are:

Oral cavity – Includes lips, front two-thirds of the tongue, gums, lining inside the cheeks and lips, bottom of the mouth under the tongue, hard palate (bony top of the mouth), and small area behind the wisdom teeth.

Salivary glands – There are many salivary glands. The major ones are in the floor of the mouth and near the jawbone.

Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity – The paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces in the bones of the head surrounding the nose. The nasal cavity is the hollow space inside the nose.

Pharynx – The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus and the trachea. The pharynx has three parts:

  • Nasopharynx – upper part, behind the nose
  • Oropharynx – middle part, including soft palate, base of the tongue and tonsils
  • Hypopharynx – lower part

Larynx – also called the voicebox. A short passageway formed by cartilage just below the pharynx in the neck. It contains the vocal cords. It also has a small piece of tissue, called the epiglottis, which moves to cover the larynx to prevent food from entering the air passages.

Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult (Unknown) Primary – This occurs when squamous cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes of the upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of the head and neck.

Thyroid cancer –  We treat patients who have failed standard treatments for the disease.

We Specialize in Head and Neck Cancer

There are more than 100 different types of cancer. To ensure that we are always leading care at the cutting edge, UCCC has expert teams that each specialize in a small number of different cancer types. Because we are sub-specialized in Head and Neck cancer , we have treated the most common and the rarest types of cancer. And more experience equal better outcomes.

We’re the Region’s Only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

The University of Colorado Cancer Center  is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Rocky Mountain Region—and one of only 39 in the United States.

  • This designation means that we are recognized as leaders in providing outstanding cancer care and cancer-related education, and in driving new research
  • No other cancer center in the region offers the expertise we do

We’re One of the Nation’s Best Cancer Centers

U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the University of Colorado Cancer Center’s adult patient care center at University of Colorado Hospital among the best cancer programs in the nation.

  • 5280 Magazine consistently votes our cancer doctors among the best in Colorado
  • We have more cancer doctors listed among Best Doctors in America than any other cancer center in the region