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 specialists work as a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care that takes all of your needs into consideration.
Care for people with throat cancer is coordinated through the Head and Neck Cancer Center. This collaboration brings together ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists with other experts, including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and rehabilitation specialists.
Other providers and services are available as needed. For instance, your doctor can coordinate access to palliative care services, which focus on providing relief from pain and other symptoms caused by cancer or cancer treatment, and patient education centers to help you understand more about your condition and your treatment options.
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.
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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 offered to people with throat cancer includes a variety of surgical procedures from minimally invasive surgery to extensive excisions with full reconstruction. Radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also offered.
- 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 certain voice box cancers.
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Latest in radiation therapy techniques. People who receive care at Mayo Clinic receive state-of-the-art radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. Radiation oncologists tailor treatment sessions for each person.
Radiation oncologists also use advanced treatments, including proton therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery and brachytherapy to deliver precise doses of radiation to cancer cells with minimal exposure to surrounding normal tissue.
- Dedication to research. Mayo Clinic doctors are committed to continuously seeking innovative ways to reduce posttreatment side effects and improve overall quality of life for people with throat cancer.
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. Each year, Mayo Clinic doctors care for more than 1,850 people with throat cancer. This experience means your doctors are equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide you with the best care.
- Nationally recognized expertise. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets the strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which 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.
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. 15, 2022