Brown Cancer Center Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic
The James Graham Brown Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary
Head and Neck Cancer Clinic opened in October 2002 under the combined
direction of physicians from several specialties involved in the
care of head and neck cancer patients. These specialties include
surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology and dental
oncology. In addition, other services, such as speech pathology,
nutrition services and social services, are part of this team. Our
team works together to guide each patient through diagnosis, treatment
and recovery. This team has an unparalleled depth and breadth of
experience.
The clinic meets on Friday afternoons, evaluating all newly diagnosed
head and neck cancer patients. Representatives from each specialty
simultaneously see every patient. Following the clinic, these representatives
partake in a treatment planning conference. During this conference,
each case is presented, all members of the group discussed it and
then they make a joint treatment recommendation.
The Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic is an unmatched
team approach to cancer treatment. Patients with head and neck cancer
can go one location — our multidisciplinary clinic
— to visit all the medical experts they need to see on the
same day instead of arranging multiple appointments at multiple
locations. This approach also ensures that patients who need several
different therapies to treat their cancer will receive the ideal
combination. Patients leave with a treatment action plan and answers
— right away.
In addition, the clinic has allowed us to explore new and improved
treatment options through local and national clinical trials. The
Brown Cancer Center now is one of the top accrual centers for Head
and Neck protocols.
The Center opened up a second clinic – the Head and Neck
Cancer Follow-up Clinic – in January 2004. This clinic meets
on Monday afternoons and is responsible for the follow-up care of
complex patients. This clinic has been a vital resource for further
treatment planning in these complicated cases.