April 13th is the start of National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, a week-long observance that focuses on promoting education and awareness around the different types of cancers of the head, neck and mouth.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 68,000 men and women are expected to be diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer in 2015.
Tumors that develop in the head and neck, such as acoustic neuromas or skull base tumors, can develop in areas near nerves, blood vessels and critical anatomy like the spinal cord or brainstem. These tumors can also grow overtime and put pressure on the brain.
For some patients, a noninvasive and precise method of treatment may be needed to treat a head and neck tumor effectively while avoiding healthy tissue and critical anatomy. Unlike surgery, the CyberKnife® system delivers high-dose radiation to tumors noninvasively and with extreme precision, which helps reduce the risk of damaging important healthy tissue in the brain, neck or spine.
Treatment with CyberKnife is completed within five outpatient sessions lasting about 90 minutes or less, allowing patients to return to their normal routines after treatment while experiencing few to no side effects.
Contact us to learn about this noninvasive approach or read more about the history of CyberKnife treatment here.
This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.