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Head and Neck Cancer Since the incidence of head and neck tumors is twice the national average in our region, the Head and Neck Cancer Program is an important part of Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.   Each new patient is evaluated by the appropriate surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and then a treatment plan is recommended to the patient and referring physician. This multidisciplinary coordination is more convenient for patients. It also makes physician consultation planning and disease management decisions more effective.   Some of the treatment options offered for head and neck cancer patients include 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy.   Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Team Mercedes Porosnico, MD Dale Browne, MD Whit Mims, MD Christopher Sullivan, MD Daniel Fried, MD Kathryn Greven, MD Janet Horton, MD Hematology and Oncology Otolaryngology Otolaryngology Otolaryngology Radiation Oncology Radiation Oncology Radiation Oncology Highlights: Video: Oral Cancer Removal and Palate Reconstruction - May 9, 2008  See the video of Dr. Dale Browne and his patient, Shelly Brown after her successful cancer removal and tongue reconstruction. Ms. Brown is a young woman who lost half of her tongue to cancer, but has recovered and now sings in her church choir. http://www1.wfubmc.edu/pr/HeadNeckCancerScreen_WXII-0408.wmv Head and Neck Cancer Clinic The Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic is typically the point of entry for head and neck cancer evaluation and management at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.  Video Oral Cancer Removal and Palate Reconstruction Webcast VIEW WEBCAST Patients undergoing surgery for removal of cancer from the mouth often have large openings in the palate (roof of the mouth) where the cancer had been, leaving them unable to eat, drink or speak normally unless the defect is somehow repaired. One solution is the surgical reassignment of a muscle normally used for chewing to fill the space left in the palate, a procedure that has been advanced at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and has produced excellent results for head and neck cancer patients. Voice Box Surgery Webcast VIEW WEBCAST The surgery is called medialization laryngoplasty with arytenoid adduction. The procedure is used to restore the voice in patients who have lost all or most of their voice due to vocal cord paralysis or paresis (partial paralysis), cancer, intubation or trauma. During medialization laryngoplasty, a surgical-grade plastic implant is shaped and precisely placed to reposition and strengthen the affected vocal cord. The arytenoid adduction is used if needed to close the back part of the larynx. Innovative Surgery Allows for Normal Life Five years ago, Sandra Scott was facing cancer surgery that would remove a large part of her palate, with the possibility that she would be unable to eat, drink or speak normally unless the resulting opening could be successfully repaired. Excellent Outcomes with Palate Reconstruction Surgery The use of the temporalis muscle to fill defects in the palate left by tumor resection has produced excellent outcomes for patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction procedures at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.