Cancer Health Center
Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment - Stage I Oropharyngeal Cancer
When radiation is given, careful choice of radiation technique by a radiation oncologist experienced in managing head and neck cancers is essential. The choice of treatment is dictated by the anticipated functional, cosmetic, and socioeconomic results of the treatment options as well as by the available expertise of the surgeon or radiation therapist. Treatment is individualized for each patient.
STANDARD TREATMENT OPTIONS:
Surgery or radiation are equally successful in controlling this stage of oropharyngeal cancer.
- Radiation may be the preferred modality where the functional deficit will be great, such as the tongue base or tonsil.[1]
- Surgery may be the preferred modality where the functional deficit will be minimal, such as tonsil pillar.
TREATMENT OPTIONS UNDER CLINICAL EVALUATION:
- Radiation clinical trials evaluating hyperfractionation schedules should be considered.
Current Clinical Trials
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with stage I oropharyngeal cancer. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.
General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI Web site.
References:
WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER
Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment Topics
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