Throat cancer care at Mayo Clinic
Individualized approach
Doctors at Mayo Clinic provide care for you as a whole person. They take the time to get to know you to provide exactly the care you need.
Your Mayo Clinic care team
Mayo Clinic doctors work as a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care that takes all of your needs into consideration.
At Mayo Clinic, care for people with throat cancer is coordinated through the Head and Neck Cancer Center. This collaboration brings together oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
All Mayo Clinic campuses offer diagnosis and treatment for all types of throat cancer. Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota has specialty clinics for oropharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer.
Advanced diagnosis and treatment
Mayo Clinic doctors have a wide variety of treatment options to consider when creating a personalized treatment plan. Options include the latest innovations and clinical trials.
- Innovative surgical techniques. Mayo Clinic surgeons are experienced in using minimally invasive transoral robotic surgery to remove throat cancers. Doctors at Mayo Clinic helped develop this surgical approach. Mayo Clinic also offers transoral laser microsurgery for voice box cancers.
- Latest in radiation therapy techniques. Mayo Clinic offers state-of-the-art radiation therapy techniques, such as proton therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. These methods deliver precise doses of radiation to cancer cells while limiting harm to nearby healthy tissue. Mayo Clinic doctors participated in research suggesting that newer approaches, such as proton therapy, may reduce side effects while effectively treating throat cancer.
- Dedication to research. Mayo Clinic doctors are committed to continuously seeking innovative ways to reduce side effects after treatment and improve overall quality of life for people with throat cancer.
- A full range of treatment options to consider. Mayo Clinic doctors work with you to review all of your treatment options and choose the treatment that best suits your needs and goals. The range of treatments for throat cancer includes a variety of surgical procedures from minimally invasive surgery to extensive operations with full reconstruction. Radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also offered.
Supportive care during and after treatment
Treatment for throat cancer can cause side effects and complications that affect daily life, such as changes in speech, swallowing, eating or comfort. Your Mayo Clinic care team will talk with you about what to expect and help you plan for these changes. If side effects occur, your care team works closely with you to manage symptoms. Your team can connect you with services that can help you stay as active and independent as possible.
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery for many people. At Mayo Clinic, doctors and healthcare professionals with expertise in cancer rehabilitation work with you based on your needs. You may work with specialists in speech and swallowing therapy, nutrition, or physical therapy. These services focus on helping you adapt, improve function and build confidence in daily activities over time.
Mayo Clinic also offers palliative care as an added layer of support throughout your treatment. Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. A team of specially trained doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals works with you, your family and your other doctors to improve comfort and quality of life. This type of care focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms, while also addressing emotional and practical concerns. Palliative care can be provided at any stage and alongside other cancer treatments.
Expertise and rankings
A team approach
Mayo Clinic doctors with training in a wide array of specialties collaborate as a multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated, comprehensive care.
Mayo Clinic doctors are respected for the excellent care they provide for people with throat cancer. At Mayo Clinic, you can expect:
- Personalized care. Mayo Clinic specialists in the Head and Neck Cancer Center work as a team to make sure all of your individual needs are addressed in your care plan. Other experts are included as needed.
- Experience you can trust. Mayo Clinic doctors care for many people with throat cancer. People who receive care at experienced centers may have access to a wider range of treatment options and a team of specialists who work closely together. This coordinated approach can make a difference in treatment planning and outcomes.
- Nationally recognized expertise. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets the strict standards for a U.S. National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center. These standards recognize scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked as the top hospital in Minnesota and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, is ranked as the top hospital in Arizona.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.
Sept. 01, 2026