Expertise & Collaborative Care
Our Shaw Cancer Center physicians are highly skilled across all specialties relevant to the care of our patients with cancer affecting the head and neck region. With the goal of providing individualized, comprehensive care to each patient, our medical oncologists and radiation oncologist will meet with each patient to formulate a cohesive treatment plan.
You're not alone in this journey; our team will assist you by helping navigate your care from diagnosis through treatment. They will assist you with scheduling doctor appointments, coordinating imaging with radiology, scheduling surgery, and communicating all your needs to your care team.
Radiation Oncology
Under the leadership of Dr. Patricia Hardenbergh, The Shaw Cancer Center utilizes state of the art technology to administer radiation therapy that targets and kills cancer. Each treatment plan is customized specifically for the patient’s anatomy. Types of radiation therapy we use to treat head and neck cancer include IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) as well as IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy).
Patients may undergo a PET/CT scan to aid in radiation treatment planning prior to starting radiation treatment. Patients receive a small dose of a radioactive drug, primarily composed of sugar, referred to as a tracer. Tumors consume this tracer, leading to the emission of signals that effectively illuminate the tumor. These images are then used in radiation treatment planning to deliver focused radiation beams directly to the tumor.
Shaw Cancer Center also utilizes immobilization techniques, including creation of masks that are molded and made for each individual patient. These techniques aid in ensuring that radiation is delivered to the same area that targets the cancer, each day of treatment.
Medical Oncology
Dr. Alec Urquhart and Dr. Erin Schwab direct care for patients who require or would benefit from systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Immunotherapies are antibody treatments that enlist the help of the immune system to target and treat cancer. Targeted therapies attack cancer cells by targeting specific mutations in certain cancers. In some cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given at the same time (concurrently), as chemotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy for some cancers of the head and neck region. This combination treatment can be used instead of surgery or after surgery to improve cure rates. Other times these treatments are used alone to control and treat metastatic cancer.
Nutritional Support & Speech Therapy
The Dietitians at Shaw work closely with patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers starting before treatment and at times, for months after treatment is completed to ensure optimal outcomes. Prior to starting treatment, most patients will need to meet with a dentist to ensure all dental needs are up to date. It is common practice that patients will receive a feeding tube prior to the start of treatment. The feeding tube is essential to provide an alternative method of feeding when it becomes difficult to get proper nutrition and hydration by mouth as treatment progresses. Additionally, a Speech Language Pathologist provides therapy to patients before, during, and after treatment to help maintain the highest level of swallowing function possible.
Head & Neck Cancers
A Full Range of Treatments to Consider.
Shaw Cancer Center providers will work with you to review all your treatment options and help guide you in choosing the treatment, or combination of treatments, that best suit your needs and goals. The range of treatments offered for head and neck cancer, depending on appropriateness for each patient, includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.Detecting cancer.
Shaw Cancer Center utilizes CT scans and MRIs to detect head and neck cancer. PET/CT can also be utilized in certain cases to determine if cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Personalizing treatment based on individual risk.
Our team uses predictive biomarkers and genetic and biologic characteristics of an individual patient to better personalize and optimize treatment for people with cancer.
Making surgery less invasive and more effective.
Your team of physicians work closely with a range of specialized head and neck cancer surgeons in the Vail Valley and Denver area to help determine what type of surgery is recommended.
Precisely planning radiation to reduce side effects.
Shaw Cancer Center’s radiation oncologist is an expert in planning radiation treatment that targets head and neck cancer and spares normal healthy tissue. We offer the latest in cancer radiation options.
Support & Services During Your Journey
We offer a network of support to help you with your physical, mental and spiritual needs in an effort to enhancing your well-being throughout every step of your treatment and recovery.- Fit for Survival Program
- Led by a team of exercise physiologists, this program facilitates strength training and aerobic exercise to, not only increase overall well-being, but to help mitigate adverse effects associated with cancer treatment.
- Physical Therapy
- Our relationship with Howard Head Sports Medicine allows us to provide various muscle strengthening to aid in your recovery.
- Jack’s Place
- A12 bedroom caring house for on site lodging accommodations for patients and their caregiver/significant other during their cancer treatment.
- Diet and Nutrition
- Our nutritionist will help with a plan tailored to your recovery goals.
- Psychosocial Support Services
- We offer a number of psychosocial services led by skilled cancer counselors and social workers Erin Perjeda, Kristi Grems and Sarah Roberts.
- Integrative Health Services
- Our integrative services are designed to help patients cope with the cancer experience and improve their overall sense of well-being. We offer massage, reiki and acupuncture.
- Genetic Counseling
- Our genetic counselor can help guide patients through the process of better understanding their cancer's impact on their family.