The head and neck is the area below the base of the skull and above the collarbone, excluding the eyes, spine, and spinal cord, and is involved in speech, breathing, eating, chewing, swallowing, and appearance. Tumors that develop in this area are called head and neck tumors.
Because these organs are so vital to life, medical care involves a wide range of departments, including ENT/Head and Neck Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Dental and Oral Surgery, plastic surgery, Department of Radiation Therapy, Diagnostic Radiology, and Department of Rehabilitation, and cooperation between them is essential. In addition to doctors, cooperation from other professionals such as nurses, nutritionists, speech-language-hearing therapists, and dental hygienists is also essential for treatment.
We treat primarily benign and malignant tumors of the nasal sinuses, oral cavity, upper/middle/lower pharynx, and larynx. However, we also treat many conditions that require surgery elsewhere, such as tumors invading the skull base and upper mediastinum, thyroid tumors, and salivary gland tumors. The Head and Neck Oncology Center was established with the concept of providing care for head and neck tumor patients through collaboration across multiple departments and professions, transcending the boundaries of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and Dental and Oral Surgery. We believe that by regularly holding joint conferences across multiple departments and sharing medical techniques and knowledge, we can provide better care for patients. It is also important for the Center to ensure a consistent level of quality control in head and neck tumor care at Tokai University Hospital. In addition to treating diseases, we aim to utilize the expertise and technical strengths of each department to provide medical care as a team, aiming to "better cures" and maintain quality of life (QOL).