Cancer that forms in tissues of the oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, including the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils). Most oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the oropharynx).
Patients with oropharyngeal cancer will be cared for by the team from Penn's Center for Head and Neck Cancers.
The Abramson Cancer Center hosts a wide range of materials and activities that provide education and support to address key areas of concern for cancer patients and their loved ones. We are proud that many of our innovative patient education programs have been recognized by national groups, including the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Patient Education Network.
Our educational materials and support activities help people deal with the physical and emotional consequences of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. They also assist patients and families to resume active lives after treatment.
Our support group meetings provide information on topics of ... read more Support
Different treatments are available for those with oropharyngeal cancer. Some treatments are called standard. This means they are the currently used treatments. Some are being tested in clinical trials. A treatment clinical trial is a study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments.
When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. You may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment, while others are available during or after treatment.
Treatment options vary depending on your situation including the stage of the cancer and other factors that may be... read more Treatment
Different treatments are available for those with oropharyngeal cancer. Some treatments are called standard. This means they are the currently used treatments. Some are being tested in clinical trials. A treatment clinical trial is a study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments.
When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. You may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment, while others are available during or after treatment.
Treatment options vary depending on your situation including the stage of the cancer and other factors that may be... read more Treatment
Todd Sheridan's family members have always supported his love of hockey and were his biggest fan when his team won the Junior A National Championship. They again showed their deep devotion by bringing him to Penn for the best possible cancer care. Todd's physician at Penn diagnosed cancer of the tongue and neck, which had spread to his lymph nodes. A possible side effect raised by his physicians was nerve damage in his right arm, limiting the motion in his arm. Gregory Weinstein, M.D., his surgeon at Penn, performed the detailed surgery and was able to avoid that outcome. Three weeks after surgery, Todd was not only doing push-ups, but was practicing with his hockey team in Ontari. But his journey didn't end there. As a survivor, Todd talks personally about how cancer has had an impact on his life and how he was able to combine his experience and passions to benefit his community.
Watch Focus on Head and Neck Cancer Conference - Get information on the latest advances in head and neck cancer risk, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, symptom management and psychosocial issues.
Watch Focus on Thyroid Cancer Conference - Get information on the latest advances in thyroid cancer risk, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, symptom management and psychosocial issues.
Media Hub for Head and Neck Cancers - Watch Videos!
Clinical Briefing: Sorafenib for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Transoral Robotic Surgery: New Developments in Head and Neck Cancer [PDF]
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