Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes

Because each patient is different, their outcomes will be, too. And considering head and neck cancer can be difficult to treat, where you’re treated will also affect your outcomes. The Head and Neck Cancer Clinic at Winship is one of the top-performing academic programs in the country, providing truly integrated care, which is important when it comes to head and neck cancer outcomes. We’re also leaders in head and neck cancer research, developing the latest, most effective treatments with the fewest possible side effects. As a result, our head and neck cancer outcomes — including survival rates, recurrence rates and management of long-term side effects — are better than most other cancer centers in the U.S.

Winship is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia. Comprehensive Cancer Centers must meet rigorous standards that prove they have state-of-the-art facilities, offer cutting-edge treatments, deliver breakthrough research and conduct lifesaving clinical trials.

Because NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers like Winship represent the most innovative cancer centers in the nation, it’s not surprising that they also have the best survival rates. Research shows survival rates are up to 25% higher when starting treatment at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Researchers attribute these higher survival rates to surgical expertise, guideline compliance, access to clinical trials and team approaches to treatment planning — all of which are paramount at Winship.

Winship’s head and neck surgeons perform a high volume – the most in Georgia – of Transoral Robotic Surgeries (TORS), a minimally invasive surgical approach to removing tumors in the mouth and throat. Research shows that centers that perform a high volume of TORS procedures achieve better outcomes for patients with HPV oropharyngeal cancer compared to lower-volume centers.

Additionally, our head and neck pathologists provide real-time frozen section analysis during surgeries, enhancing decision-making and patient outcomes.

Being a head and neck cancer survivor increases your risk of developing a new head and neck cancer or another type of cancer in the future. That’s why Winship is dedicated to offering long-lasting treatment and post-treatment follow-up care and surveillance. We use advanced imaging techniques and sophisticated pathology evaluation to analyze your specific head and neck cancer to help us determine which treatment is most likely not only to increase your head and neck cancer prognosis, but also to prevent your disease from returning down the road.

After successful treatment, we have quality measures in place to confirm you are cancer-free, such as testing surrounding tissue after surgery to make sure there’s no remaining cancer. And once you’ve completed treatment at Winship, we will continue to monitor your condition and follow up with you for the rest of your life to ensure you remain cancer-free and assist you with managing any long-term treatment side effects.

When it comes to head and neck cancer outcomes, it’s important to consider the side effects associated with both the cancer and the treatment, namely difficulty with eating and swallowing or changes in speech and hearing, depending on the location of your cancer. Rest assured, your head and neck cancer team will include speech therapists, audiologists, dietitians and others to help you cope with the challenges you may encounter during treatment and beyond.

At Winship, you will receive the most powerful and precise treatments available with the least adverse side effects. And we will work with you on symptom management as well as coping with the psychological and emotional aspects of head and neck cancer treatment for as long as you need us.