Head and neck cancers
Treatment for head and neck cancers
Treatment for head and neck cancers depends on the type, stage, grade and your own preferences. Learn about each approach, possible side effects, and how to make informed decisions with your specialist treatment team.
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Sources and references 
Treatment considerations
Sometimes it is difficult to decide on the type of treatment to have. You may feel that everything is happening too fast, or you might be anxious to get started.
Check with your specialist how soon treatment should begin, as it may not affect the success of the treatment to wait a while. Ask them to explain the options, and take as much time as you can before making a decision.
Know your options – Understanding the disease, the available treatments, possible side effects and any extra costs can help you weigh up the options and make a well-informed decision. Check if the specialist is part of a multidisciplinary team and if the treatment centre is the most appropriate one for you – you may be able to have treatment closer to home, or it might be worth travelling to a centre that specialises in a particular treatment.
Record the details – When your doctor first says you have cancer, you may not remember everything you are told. Taking notes can help. If you would like to record the discussion, ask your doctor first. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend go with you to appointments to join in the discussion, write notes or simply listen.
Ask questions – If you are confused or want to check anything, it is important to ask your specialist questions. Try to prepare a list before appointments (see suggestions here). If you have a lot of questions, you could talk to a cancer care coordinator or nurse.
Consider a second opinion – You may want to get a second opinion from another specialist to confirm or clarify your specialist’s recommendations or reassure you that you have explored all of your options. Specialists are used to people doing this. Your GP or specialist can refer you to another specialist and send your initial results to that person. You can get a second opinion even if you have started treatment or still want to be treated by your first doctor. You might decide you would prefer to be treated by the second specialist.
It’s your decision – Adults have the right to accept or refuse any treatment that they are offered. For example, some people with advanced cancer choose treatment that has significant side effects even if it gives only a small benefit for a short period of time. Others decide to focus their treatment on quality of life. You may want to discuss your decision with the treatment team, GP, family and friends.
Treatment options
Head and neck cancers may be treated in different ways, depending on the type, location and stage of the cancer, your general health and what is important to you.
The key treatments for head and neck cancers are:
- surgery – removes cancer or repairs a part of the body affected by cancer; sometimes used as the main treatment
- radiation therapy – the use of targeted radiation to kill or damage cancer cells; sometimes used as the main treatment
- chemotherapy – the use of drugs that kill cancer cells or slow their growth; usually combined with radiation therapy, which is known as chemoradiation
- immunotherapy – the use of drugs that use the body’s own immune system to fight cancer
- targeted therapy – the use of drugs that target specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer from growing and spreading.
You may have one or more treatments. You may be able to have new treatments through clinical trials. Treatment will be tailored to your situation. Most head and neck cancers and some complex skin cancers of the head and neck should be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting in a specialised head and neck cancer centre.
How to prepare for treatment
It is important to look after your health before treatment begins. This will help you cope with side effects and can improve treatment outcomes.
Stop smoking
If you smoke, aim to quit before starting treatment. If you keep smoking, you may not respond as well to treatment, side effects may be worse and you will have a higher risk of a new cancer. See your doctor or call Quitline on 13 7848.
Begin or continue an exercise program
Exercise will help build up your strength for recovery. Talk to your doctor, physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist about the right type of exercise for you.
See a dentist
Treatments for head and neck cancer can affect your mouth, gums and teeth. Your specialistmay refer you to a dentist or oral medicine specialist who understands the treatments you will be having. You will need a full check-up and an oral health care plan covering any dental work you need and how to care for your mouth.
Improve diet and nutrition
A dietitian can suggest ways to get the right nutrition before, during and after treatment by changing your diet or taking liquid nutritional supplements. This will help maintain your weight and muscle mass, improve your strength and energy levels, and may mean the treatment works better.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol irritates mouth sores from the cancer or treatment.
Key points about treating head and neck cancers
Before treatment
- You can prepare for treatment by stopping smoking, avoiding alcohol and getting regular exercise.
- It is a good idea to see a dietitian and adentist before treatment begins.
Surgery
- Surgery is commonly used to remove many types of head and neck cancers.
- For cancers that are easy to reach, surgery is usually straightforward. Most people recover quickly and manage any side effects well.
- For some head and neck cancers, surgery may be more extensive and lead to long-term side effects.
- Lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery (neck dissection).
- Some people need to have reconstructive surgery to help maintain function and appearance.
Radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy is a common treatment. It may be used alone, in combination with chemotherapy (chemoradiation), or after surgery.
- Before radiation therapy, you may be advised to see a dentist to reduce the chance of future problems with your teeth and jaws.
- During radiation therapy, you will need to wear a specially made plastic mask to keep you still during treatment.
Drug therapies
- Chemotherapy is most often used in combination with radiation therapy (chemoradiation).
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are sometimes
used for people with advanced head and neck cancer.
Treatments for head and neck cancers
Sources and references
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.
We thank the reviewers of this booklet: Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Dr Cynleen Kai, Radiation Oncologist, GenesisCare, VIC; Dr Naveed Alam, Thoracic Surgeon, St Vincent’s Hospital, Epworth Richmond, and Monash Medical Centre, VIC; Helen Benny, Consumer; Dr Rachael Dodd, Senior Research Fellow, The Daffodil Centre, NSW; Kim Greco, Specialist head and neck cancers Nurse Consultant, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Marco Salvador, Consumer; Janene Shelton, xxx Foundation Australia – Specialist head and neck cancers Nurse, Darling Downs Health, QLD; Prof Emily Stone, Respiratory Physician, Department of Thoracic Medicine and xxx Transplantation, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; A/Prof Marianne Weber, Stream Lead, head and neck cancers Policy and Evaluation, The Daffodil Centre, NSW.
We would also like to thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
References
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (US), NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Head and Neck Cancers, Version 2.2025.
- J-P Machiels et al., “Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx: EHNS–ESMO–ESTRO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment
and follow-up”, Annals of Oncology, vol. 31, iss. 11, 2020, pp. 1462–75. - P Bossi et al., “Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: ESMO–EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”, Annals of Oncology, vol. 32, iss. 4, 2020, pp. 452–65.
- C Resteghini et al., “Sinonasal malignancy: ESMO–EURACAN Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”, ESMO Open, vol. 10, iss. 2, 2025.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer Data in Australia 2025, AIHW, Canberra, viewed 29 October 2025, aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-in-australia.
Head and neck cancers
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