Soft Palate Cancer

Treatment

The treatment for soft palate cancer is individualized for each patient. Physicians base treatment plans on the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, the probability of curing the disease and the side effects of treatment. The integration of Mayo Clinic's clinical practice with research and education ensures that patients have access to the latest advances in medical and surgical care.

Radiation

Specialists often use radiation therapy to treat soft palate cancer. At Mayo Clinic, patients receive state-of-the-art radiation therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy or surgery. Radiation therapy can be used to treat soft palate cancers of all stages. Because radiation does not require the surgical removal of soft palate tissue, this therapy will likely result in satisfactory outcomes for speech and swallowing function after treatment.

Highly skilled radiation oncologists provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy at Mayo Clinic, including:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
• Radiosurgery
• Brachytherapy
• Small field conformal radiation therapy

A combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy has also been shown to be effective in treating and preserving the soft palate. A multidisciplinary team of oncologists evaluates patients with soft palate cancer and then tailors treatments to each patient's situation.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows the radiation oncologist to treat the cancer effectively while limiting radiation to important healthy tissues, such as the eyes, optic nerves, brain, brain stem, salivary glands and spinal cord. This ability is particularly critical for cancers located in the head and neck. IMRT also makes it possible to deliver high doses of radiation to inoperable tumors. IMRT has been utilized to preserve salivary gland function and prevent a dry mouth after radiation therapy. This therapy can be used alone or combined with chemotherapy in some soft palate cancer cases.

Radiation therapy used alone or with chemotherapy is the primary treatment for moderate or advanced cancers in order to preserve the soft palate and its function. Physicians at Mayo Clinic may recommend radiation if the patient is in poor general health and cannot undergo surgery. Radiation therapy can be used as ongoing or additional treatment after surgery to kill small cancer deposits in the neck or soft palate that cannot be seen and were not removed during the operation. It can also be used to ease the symptoms of advanced, inoperable cancers, such as pain, bleeding and difficulty swallowing. In this context, it is called palliative treatment.

Chemotherapy

Medical oncologists administer chemotherapy either through a vein or by mouth. Physicians prescribe chemotherapy to treat cancer that has spread extensively (metastasized) to organs beyond the soft palate. Chemotherapy may also be combined with radiation treatments to improve survival and preservation of the soft palate.

Surgery

Head and neck surgeons at Mayo Clinic surgically treat more than 400 head and neck cancer cases each year. In some cases of soft palate cancer, surgery may be the treatment of choice. In early or superficial cancers surgical removal can often be done as an outpatient procedure. When the cancer has spread to the neck lymph nodes, a lymph node dissection (neck dissection) may be necessary.

Mayo's surgical techniques include multiple new surgical procedures to remove the cancer and provide the best possible function. Innovative surgical approaches are used for soft palate cancers that extend to other areas. This helps to ensure te best chance of cancer removal and the optimal function for the patient.

Laser Microsurgery for Soft Palate Cancer

Skilled head and neck surgeons at Mayo Clinic perform transoral laser microsurgery. The procedure is typically used for small and medium-sized tumors in the soft palate. Transoral laser microsurgery has certain advantages over conventional surgery, including:

• Preservation of some normal tissue
• Less pain and swelling in some people
• Swallowing and speech optimization

Transoral laser microsurgery uses special instruments to view the soft palate through the mouth and nose. The surgeon directs the laser toward the tumor with the help of a micromanipulator fixed to a surgical microscope. Looking through the microscope, the surgeon divides the tumor into sections that can be removed. During the operation a surgical pathologist examines the cells at the edge of the tumor to detect how much tissue must be removed.

Reconstructive Surgery

Depending upon the location and spread of the tumor, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. For very extensive life-threatening cancer, removals of of the entire soft palate may be necessary. Physicians work to improve a patient's appearance and function by using tissue flaps and dental prosthetics. Reconstruction of the soft palate to restore speech and swallowing function is difficult after surgery for soft palate cancer is difficult, but experienced reconstructive surgeons and prosthodontists are available at Mayo Clinic.

Rehabilitative Services

Health care providers at Mayo Clinic offer many rehabilitative services to assist patients recovering from soft palate cancer treatment. These services include:

• Speech therapists help soft palate cancer patients overcome problems with speech and swallowing that may accompany surgery.
• Dietitians help patients choose foods that will reduce problems with chewing and swallowing.
• Physical and occupational therapists help patients adjust to returning to work and private life.
• The Nicotine Dependence Center can help patients wishing to discontinue tobacco use.