Head and neck cancer

North Devon District Hospital 

Main switchboard on 01271 322577

Head, Neck and Thyroid Clinical Nurse Specialists:

Exeter and North Devon:

Tel:  01392 402215

Email:  adminhncns@nhs.net

Multi -disciplinary Team

Consultants Secretaries contact details:

Mr Smith and Mr Husband: Secretary 01392 402804

Mr Barrett: Secretary 01392 403725

Mr Mclaren: Secretary 01392 406405

Mr McLennan: Secretary 01392 403320

Miss McLennan – Dalal: 01392 402216

Mr Stenhouse: Secretary 01392 402216

Dr Hwang: Secretary 01392 404578

Dr Park: Secretary 01392 404018

Head, Neck and Thyroid Clinical Nurse Specialists:

Tel:  01392 402215

Email:  adminhncns@nhs.net

Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapists:

North Devon: 01271 322388

ndht.speechandlanguagetherapy@nhs.net

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Main switchboard on 01392 411611

Head, Neck and Thyroid Clinical Nurse Specialists:

Tel:  01392 402215

Email:  adminhncns@nhs.net

Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapists:

Exeter: 01392 402489

Multi -disciplinary Team

Consultants Secretaries contact details:

Mr Smith and Mr Husband: Secretary 01392 402804

Mr Barrett: Secretary 01392 403725

Mr Mclaren: Secretary 01392 406405

Mr McLennan: Secretary 01392 403320

Miss McLennan – Dalal: 01392 402216

Mr Stenhouse: Secretary 01392 402216

Dr Hwang: Secretary 01392 404578

Dr Park: Secretary 01392 404018

Head, Neck and Thyroid Clinical Nurse Specialists:

Tel:  01392 402215

Email:  adminhncns@nhs.net

Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapists:

North Devon: 01271 322388

ndht.speechandlanguagetherapy@nhs.net

Head and Neck Surgeon

Head and Neck Surgeons (also known as Otorhinolaryngologists, Otolaryngologists or ENT Surgeons) are Surgical Specialists who diagnose, evaluate and manage a wide range of diseases of the head and neck, including the ear, nose and throat regions

Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgeons 

Consultants in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) deal with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck

Clinical Oncologists

A Clinical Oncologist is a Doctor who uses chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a range of other treatments to care for patients with cancer.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Plastic Surgeons perform reconstructive plastic surgery which restores form and function following illness or trauma

Pathologists

Histopathologists are doctors who diagnose and study diseases using expert medical interpretation of cells and tissue samples. They are integral to cancer management through staging and grading of tumours.

Radiologists

Clinical Radiologists are Doctors who use images to diagnose, treat and manage medical conditions and diseases

Clinical Nurse Specialists 

Your Clinical Nurse Specialist will be your nurse specialist, offering information and support and co-ordinate your care acting as a link between the hospital and community services.

Your CNS will be able to:

• Act as a point of contact within the team for you and your family
• Have a specialist and in-depth knowledge of your disease and pathways
• They will often have additional training and qualifications relevant to your cancer type and are advanced practitioners with a wide range of high-level clinical skills
• Co-ordinate care between various teams in the hospital and keep your GP informed.
• Be a source of information, advice and support throughout your cancer journey.
• Point you in the direction of other help or support you may need.
• Be your advocate in meetings where your case is reviewed and where treatment plans are discussed.
• Talk through information you are given in clinic or on the ward to make it more understandable and help you to reach informed decisions about your treatment and care.
• Provide long term cancer follow up care
• Give advice about life style and diet changes that may help you. 

Cancer Support workers

(CSW) – Offers support based on 'what matters to you most'. They help write a personalised care and support plan, signposting you to services both inside and outside the hospital such as our cancer centres: Force, Fern, and ELF.

Dieticians

Nutritional support and intervention are an integral component of head and neck cancer management. Patients can be malnourished at presentation, and the majority of patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer will need nutritional support. As nutrition plays an essential role in helping you to heal and recover more quickly your Dietician will complete a full nutritional assessment pre-treatment and provide dietary advice and support throughout the whole cancer journey. You are seen both as an inpatient and/or outpatient in regular clinics either individually or along with other members of the support team.

Speech and Language Therapists

The Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapists provide assessment, advice, rehabilitation and support for those who experience difficulty with speech, voice, general communication, eating/drinking or swallowing. You will be seen routinely as an inpatient and also via regular weekly clinics, which are run alongside the CNS.

Therapeutic Radiographers

If radiotherapy is part of your treatment the Head and Neck Radiographer can help you by offering support and information throughout your treatment; particularly with regards to side-effects and symptom control, referring you to other members of the Head and Neck team as appropriate. The head and neck radiographer will be present at your initial radiotherapy consultation and will review your care throughout your treatment.

Due to the diversity of Head and Neck Cancer there is no one standardised treatment as each individual person has a treatment plan specific to them. However, listed below are some common treatments that you may have. This list however is not inclusive so please discuss with a member of your Cancer team if you would like more information. It additionally links you to a reputable website that provides very good information.

Glossectomy: A glossectomy is an operation to remove part of, or all of the tongue. More detailed information can be found here.

Oropharyngectomy: This is the removal of part of the oropharynx, which is usually done for cancer of the oropharynx. More information can be found here

Mandibulectomy: A mandibulectomy is the removal of all or part of your lower jaw. More detailed information can be found here.

Maxillectomy: A maxillectomy is the removal of all or part of the maxilla. More detailed information can be found here.

Neck Dissection: A neck dissection involves removal of lymph nodes that have become involved in and spread from the cancers. More detailed information can be found here.

Parotidectomy: A parotidectomy is the removal of some or all of a parotid gland. More detailed information can be found here.

Thyriodectomy: Thyroidectomy is the removal of the whole of, or part of the thyroid gland.

More detailed information can be found here.

Tonsillectomy: A tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils. More detailed information can be found here.

Tracheostomy: A tracheostomy is an opening made in the trachea for breathing and is usually done at the same time as surgery for cancer. A tracheostomy tube is a special tube that is inserted into the opening. Instead of having air going through the mouth and nose when breathing, a tracheostomy allows air to go in and out through the tube instead. More detailed information can be found here.

Total laryngectomy: This is the removal of all of the larynx. More information can be found here

Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy is the targeted use of X-rays to destroy cancer cells. More detailed information can be found here.

Chemoradiotherapy: Having chemotherapy at the same time as radiotherapy is called chemoradiation. Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. More detailed information can be found here.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that works by stimulating the immune system to fight against cancer. More detailed information can be found here.

Trans-oral robotic surgery: Sometimes, oropharyngeal cancers can be removed through the mouth without any external cuts using a robotic system or by using laser surgery. More information can be found here

Having a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and one of the most challenging and difficult things you will hear. There are many different reactions to a cancer diagnosis and you may experience a range of different emotions, which can be difficult to manage. You might not have any emotions and feel numb; there is no right or wrong way to feel and we each have different reactions and ways of coping with cancer.

It is important to talk through these emotions with your family and friends. They may have some of the same feelings and as each individual and family unit are unique you may experience different physical and emotional situations and problems.

To help you with this we will set out a personalised plan of care to support you from diagnosis onwards. This will include:

1. Holistic Needs Assessments and Care Planning
2. Treatment Summaries
3. Cancer Care Reviews
4. Person Centred Follow Up

Your cancer team are here to help with any concerns regarding your diagnosis. Talk with your cancer team regularly about how you are feeling. There are many things that can make a difference to support you and your family before, during and after treatment. There are a number of support services, available for you.

Delivering the best outcomes for our patients is our absolute priority and want every patient to have the very best treatment and care. So please seek support or advice and share your journey with us, you are not alone. 

A diagnosis of cancer can feel overwhelming and confusing. At this time, many people find it difficult to take in all the information or concentrate fully on what their cancer team is explaining.

You may have a lot of questions. You may not know what questions to ask, but it is important that you understand what a diagnosis of cancer means for you and what your treatment options are. Please click here on how to make the most of your appointments.

To help have a better understanding of the different sites within the head and neck area, a list and description is provided below, with links to a reputable website that gives very good information on each specific anatomical location.

Nasopharyngeal Cancer (Nose and cavity behind the mouth)

The nasopharynx connects the nose (nasal) cavity to the space behind the mouth (the oropharynx). The nasopharynx allows air breathed into the nose to go down through the voice box and into the lungs. It also allows phlegm (mucus) from the nose to be swallowed or spat out. Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth (the pharynx). More detailed information can be found here.

Hypopharyngeal Cancer (lower part of the throat)

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a throat cancer that forms in the hypopharynx (lower part of the throat). Most hypopharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, arising from the cells lining the inside of the throat. Hypopharyngeal cancer often occurs in pockets on either side of the hypopharynx (called the piriform sinuses). The symptoms and treatment options for hypopharyngeal cancer depend on the location of the cancer as well as several other factors such as, how large it is, and how far it has spread. More detailed information can be found here.

Oropharyngeal Cancer (directly behind your throat, this includes your tonsil)

The oropharynx is the middle part of the throat that is directly behind the mouth. The oropharynx has two main jobs, it allows air to pass from the nose and mouth, through the voice box and windpipe, into the lungs and it pushes foods and drinks from the mouth, down the food passage to the stomach. The base of the tongue helps stop foods and drinks from entering the voice box and lungs. Cancer that starts anywhere in the oropharynx is called oropharyngeal cancer. More detailed information can be found here.

Laryngeal Cancer (Voice box)

The larynx (or voice box) is an organ in the front of the neck. The larynx is made up of cartilage (a firm tissue), muscles and ligaments which move to make different sounds and protect your lungs when swallowing. The cartilage in front of the larynx is what is sometimes called the Adam’s apple. The larynx has 3 parts which doctors may refer to when describing where a cancer is located within the larynx, supraglottic, glottis and subglottic. More detailed information can be found here.

Oral Cancer (Mouth)

The mouth (or oral cavity) is the area between the lips and top of the throat (or oropharynx). Cancer can affect different parts of the mouth, including, front of the tongue, bottom of the mouth (under the tongue and above the lower jaw), jaw bones, upper and lower gums (gingiva), lining of the lips and cheeks, front of the top of the mouth (hard palate) and behind wisdom teeth. More detailed information can be found here.

Salivary Gland Cancer (where saliva is made)

The salivary glands make spit (saliva) and release it into the mouth to keep the mouth and throat moist which help with swallowing and digesting of food. There are major (large) and minor (small) salivary glands, which cancer can affect. More detailed information can be foundhere.

Nasal and Sinus Cancer (large air-filled cavity behind the nose)

The nasal cavity is the large, air-filled space behind the nose. Paranasal sinuses are small air-filled spaces at the front of the skull and surrounding the nasal cavity. They are found on the cheeks (the maxillary sinuses), above the eyes (the frontal sinuses), between the eyes (the ethmoidal air cells or sinuses) and behind the ethmoidal aircells (sphenoid sinuses). Nasal and paranasal cancers are relatively rare. The most common location of paranasal sinus cancer is the maxillary sinus. More detailed information can be found here.

Thyroid Cancer (The thyroid gland lies at the base of the neck)

The thyroid gland lies at the base of the neck. It is shaped like a butterfly and wraps around the windpipe (trachea) beneath the voice box (larynx). There are four main types of thyroid cancer, Papillary, Follicular, Medullary and Anaplastic. More detailed information can be found here.

After a diagnosis of cancer is confirmed, your cancer team will discuss your case in the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting.The Head and Neck multi-disciplinary team is a highly-skilled team of clinical experts; all of whom work closely together. This is needed because the diagnosis, treatment and care of a person with head and neck cancer can be complex and requires input from a variety of specialist healthcare professionals. This ensures that gold standard treatment is provided which is carefully tailored to each individual patient in order to obtain the best clinical outcomes. After this meeting your cancer team will discuss your treatment options with you and help you to think about your choices. It’s important to take time to think about your next steps and make the decisions about your care that is right for you and your loved ones.

There are many different treatment options. Your cancer team will be there throughout your cancer pathway to provide support, discuss options, act as your advocate and be a point of contact for you and your loved ones. Some of these treatments are detailed in ‘Treatments’.

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information. Find out more

Please take a look at the Force webpage for more information on our charities

Catalogued are some leaflets and documents which you and your loved ones may find useful and informative at different stages of your cancer pathway.

At Diagnosis 

My Care - Cancer Care Companion

This exciting digital support tool has been designed to enhance personalised care and support for people living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Please click here for more information

Macmillan Cancer Support Information leaflets 

Understanding Head and Neck Cancer

Holistic Needs Assessment

Understanding cancer of the larynx (voice box)

Understanding Radiotherapy

Understanding Thyroid cancer

Royal Devon MDT Head and Neck 

During Treatment

Look good feel better. Facing Cancer with confidence 

Look good feel better is a National Cancer Charity which aim to support women, men and young adults through their diagnosis. It can be accessed here.  

Macmillan Cancer Support Information leaflets 

Body Image and Cancer

Cancer and Complimentary Therapies

Coping with Fatigue

Healthy Eating and Cancer

The Building up diet

The Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust hold many trust Information leaflets.

Parotidectomy

Selective Neck Dissection

Submandibular gland removal 

Information on Free Prescriptions 

Prescriptions are free of charge if you are receiving cancer treatment. A form for an exemption certificate can be supplied from your GP. This certificate lasts five years bit can be renewed as often as needed. Ask your GP for FP92A form then fill in, or click here for your form.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy transport and accommodation 

If you are undergoing Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy we can help with transport and parking permits or can provide accommodation if required. Please enquire with the Radiographer if this is needed.

Look good feel better, facing cancer with confidence – Support for men 

Look Good Feel Better has been offering a service for men living with cancer. It can be accessed here.

Following treatment 

Macmillan Cancer Support Information leaflets 

Managing the late effects of Head and Neck cancer treatment

Untire

Untire helps to reduce fatigue in cancer patients and survivors and improve their quality of life. Click here for more information

Best Supportive Care 

Hospiscare

Hospiscare support more than 2,000 adults every year, across Exeter, Mid and East Devon who are living with a life limiting illness.

North Devon Hospice

North Devon Hospice are a local charity providing specialist care and support to people who are affected by a life-limiting illness.

Thyroid Cancer Support Group

For more information & to register interest, please contact Dani, Head & Neck Support Worker, Musgrove Park Hospital on 0782 651 3896 or  Daniella.clarke-trott-cracknell@somersetft.nhs.uk

Theswallows.org.uk

The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group

forcecancercharity.co.uk

Supporting people affected by cancer since 1987 - FORCE Cancer Charity

www.royaldevoncharity.org.uk/fern-centre/

Fern Centre - Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

FORCE Cancer Charity

FORCE works locally to support anyone affected by cancer and will work closely with the people involved in your treatment.

The Swallows

The Swallows are a Head and Neck cancer support group that offer fantastic support 24/7 and will signpost if that’s what you need. The Swallows was formed by like-minded cancer patients to help and support fellow sufferers and their carers.

shinecancersupport.org

Home | Shine Cancer Support

www.changingfaces.org.uk

Changing Faces | Visible Difference & Disfigurement Charity

www.butterfly.org.uk

Welcome to Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust

www.throatcancerfoundation.org/hpv/frequently-asked-questions-about-hpv

Frequently asked questions about HPV - Throat Cancer Foundation

www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Sun-protection-fact-sheet.pdf

Sun-protection-fact-sheet.pdf

www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/How-to-reduce-the-risk-of-developing-skin-cancer-PIL-Jan-2025.pdf

How-to-reduce-the-risk-of-developing-skin-cancer-PIL-Jan-2025.pdf

Head and Neck Cancer

This is an Australian website which provides a vast in a depth and easy to understand over view of Head and Neck Cancers and their management

ENT UK https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions

ENT UK has worked with ENT UK members and authors to develop our patient information e-leaflets. The e-leaflets are written by experienced surgeons with expert knowledge of each subject.

OUTpatients The UK’s LGBTIQ+ cancer charity https://outpatients.org.uk/

OUTpatients is the UK’s only LGBTIQ+ cancer charity. We’re proudly led by and for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer, and work hard to support and advocate for our community.

Mouth cancer foundation https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/

Dedicated to raising awareness, educating and promoting the early detection of mouth cancer as well as supporting those affected by it.

Op COURAGE

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families. 

Talkworks

Talkworks is a free, confidential talking therapy service helping you to feel better and giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental wellbeing. 

The Laryngectomy Site

Information and guidance for patients before during and after a laryngectomy.

The National Associate of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC)

NALC is a nationwide organisation of almost 80 clubs offering a range of services to Laryngectomees and their families and carers.

Young Tongues

The Young Tongues is a peer to peer support group made up of young people who have been diagnosed with Tongue Cancer or a cancer diagnosis that involves similar treatment.

Please find all our latest groups and events here