Key questions to ask about your treatment for head and neck cancer

“Head and neck cancer” refers to cancers that affect the nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, and other structures and tissues in the head and neck. This does not include cancers that affect the eyes, brain, thyroid, or esophagus (located below the throat). This also does not include skin cancers that occur on the face, head, or neck.

Treatment for head and neck cancers can involve several different therapies used in combination with one another. Surgery to remove tumors is a key part of many treatment plans. Radiation therapy, as well as systemic therapies like immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy drugs, are also used in treatment.

Different therapies are sometimes used in combination with one another. For example, a newer approach to treatment is using immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of immunotherapy) and chemotherapy together to shrink a tumor before removal with surgery.

What therapies are recommended will depend on many different factors about the cancer and about the person being treated. The type, location, and stage of the cancer are essential pieces of information. Lab work and pathology tests can provide information on how the cancer is growing and how aggressive the cancer is growing. A person’s overall health, age, and preferences are also important considerations.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a head and neck cancer, it’s important to understand your treatment options and how to discuss your treatment options with a healthcare team.

Below are some questions that may help.

Questions when you are discussing a systemic therapy

Systemic therapies can be thought of as medications—chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies. In other words, cancer treatments that travel through the bloodstream and act on cancer cells throughout the body.

Here are some questions to ask your healthcare provider when discussing a systemic therapy:

• What is the name of the medication and the dosage?
• How does the medication work?
• How is the medication administered?
• How often will this medication be administered?
• How long will I be taking this medication?
• What is the goal of this therapy? How will we know it is working? How will I be monitored during this part of treatment?
• What are the potential side effects? Is there a risk of serious side effects?
• How will I feel while taking this medication?
• Are there things I will need to avoid while taking this medication, such as certain foods or activities?
• Can this medication interact with other medications or supplements? Always tell your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including medications for other conditions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
• What will this therapy cost? Who can I talk to if I have concerns about the cost of treatment?

Questions when discussing surgery or another localized therapy

Mentioned above, surgery is a key part of treatment for many cases of head and neck cancer. Surgery is an example of a localized therapy, a cancer treatment directed at a specific tumor. Other examples of localized therapies include radiation therapy and cryoablation (which destroys cancer cells with extreme cold).

Here are some questions to ask your healthcare provider when discussing a localized therapy:

• What is the name of the procedure?
• What is removed during this procedure? Will I need reconstructive surgery?
• What is the goal of the procedure?
• What are the potential side effects or risks involved with this procedure?
• Do I need any tests or exams before this procedure?
• What healthcare provider will perform this procedure?
• Are there any alternatives to this approach to treatment?
• What will this procedure cost?
• What will the recovery process be like? How long will the recovery process take?
• Who can I talk to if I have concerns about the cost of treatment?

Remember, if you have questions about a diagnosis or treatment, need an explanation, or have concerns, your healthcare provider is your best source of information.