Head and Neck Cancer Center
at Boston University
The Head and Neck Cancer Center at Boston University is a regional tertiary referral center for New England. The Center has established the first Transoral Davinci Robotic Head and Neck Surgery Program. In addition we have established the first Cyberknife Head and Neck Radiosurgery Program in the region. The Center has been the leader and pioneer in minimally invasive endoscopic transoral laryngeal surgery and minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery and also the development of the CO2 laser for use in the head and neck.
The Head and Neck Cancer Center at Boston University staff provide comprehensive care to patients who have benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck. The head and neck cancer center offers a multidisciplinary approach to the management of all types of head and neck cancer. Experts from a variety of specialties including Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Reconstructive Facial Plastic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Dentistry, Prosthetics, Speech and Swallow rehabilitation, Audiology, Nutrition, and Radiology provide the latest in diagnostic and treatment options for patients affected by these cancers. All patients are discussed at our weekly multidisciplinary Head and Neck Tumor Conference.
The process of referring a patient requires just a single telephone call to our Head and Neck Cancer Referral Hotline. Patients with a diagnosis or strong suspicion of cancer are given priority appointments within several days. All diagnostic studies including videolaryngosopy, transnasal esophagoscopy, in-office brush biopsy of laryngeal cancer, PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography) and Quantitative MRI (Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans are available on-site.
A special Patient Navigator follows and assists patients and families through the complex process of consultations, diagnostic testing, treatment and follow up.
Our head and neck cancer multidisciplinary team has at its disposal state-of-the-art techniques for treatment as well as cosmetic and functional reconstruction, including: Davinci Robotic Surgery, Cyberknife Radiosurgery, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Pulsed Dye and KTP Lasers for laryngeal dysplasia, minimally-invasive techniques such as laser endoscopic partial laryngectomy, microvascular free flap reconstruction, and a variety of organ preservation protocols utilizing combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Many treatment options are available not only to treat cancer but also to improve quality of life for cancer patients.
To view ongoing clinical trials, and other clinical and basic science research in the head and neck cancer center, click here
Physicians or patients may call for an appointment at
Patient stories (pdf)