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Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program

The UCSF Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program provides comprehensive world-class care for people with head and neck cancer. We evaluate and treat more than 600 patients every year. Our expertise covers the full range of treatments, from conventional chemotherapy and radiation to cutting-edge approaches, such as targeted therapies, which attack cancer cells without harming healthy cells, and immunotherapies, which recruit the patient's immune system to fight the cancer.

To determine the best treatment for an individual, our doctors work closely with colleagues from related specialties, including radiation oncology, otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, endocrinology, dental oncology and nutrition therapy. Partnering with many types of experts is essential to giving our patients the best possible outcomes, in both their cancer prognosis and their long-term quality of life.

We're also committed to developing new and better treatments for head and neck cancers through medical research. Interested patients may have the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial, a study of a promising experimental therapy. For information, visit UCSF's clinical trials website.

Learn more about clinical trials and how they work.

Our locations

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    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of Adjuvant Cemiplimab Versus Placebo After Surgery and Radiation Therapy in Patients Wit...

    For patients who do not have a tumor recurrence or death, DFS will be censored on the date of last disease assessment.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Preoperative Immunotherapy in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

    Intratumoral CD3+ T-cells will be identified by immunohistochemistry in pre- and post-treatment tumor specimens. The analysis population for the primary outcome will be all patients who received at least 2 weeks of neoadjuvant the...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of REM-422 in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

    Frequency and severity of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) will be evaluated according to the NCI-CTCAE version 5.0 and number of participants with Dose Limiting Toxicities will be assessed to determine Safety and Tolerab...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of TransCon TLR7/8 Agonist With or Without Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced or M...

    Treatment emergent and treatment related adverse events (assessed by CTCAE v5.0), serious adverse events (SAEs), adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, deaths

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors, RET Fusion-Posi...

    Incidence rate and category of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) during the first 28-day cycle of LOXO-292 (selpercatinib) treatment

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Pepinemab in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma ...

    TEAE's are defined as Adverse Events (AEs) with onset after date-time of first dose, or medical conditions present prior to the start of IMP but increased in severity or relationship after date-time of first dose of IMP.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    NT-I7 for the Treatment of Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck Undergoing Surger...

    The proportion of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 adverse events assessed according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 will be reported with exact binomial 95% confidence intervals. Sa...

    Recruiting

    Awards & recognition

    • n7-2x

      One of the nation's best for ear, nose & throat care

    • usnews-neurology

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care

    Support services

    Support Group

    Art for Recovery

    Creativity can help people with serious illnesses cope, heal and express what they're going through. Find out about our program and how to join.

    Fitness

    Cancer Exercise Counseling

    Our one-on-one exercise training sessions, customized for your needs and abilities, can complement other cancer treatments and speed your recovery.

    Patient Resource

    Cancer Nutrition Counseling

    UCSF Health offers free nutrition counseling to our patients with cancer, as well as nutrition seminars that are open to anyone. Learn more.

    Fitness

    Core & More Class for Cancer Patients

    A strong body helps you fight cancer and enjoy life. Join this class to stabilize your core, strengthen your muscles and improve overall fitness. For cancer patients and caregivers!

    Patient Resource

    Friend to Friend Specialty Shops

    A one-stop boutique for patients with cancer. Get professional help with wigs, prostheses, sun-protective clothing, makeup, skin care and more.

    Class

    Meditation & Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients

    Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. UCSF and non-UCSF patients are welcome.

    Patient Resource

    Oncology Social Work

    Social workers offer support, problem-solving, help accessing UCSF cancer-related resources and more. Find out how to contact the social worker for your clinic.

    Patient Resource

    Patient & Family Cancer Support Center

    The center offers wellness programming, community, support groups, classes, workshops and more at no cost to people facing cancer and their loved ones.

    Support Group

    Peer Support Programs for Cancer

    Patients are matched with peer support volunteers according to criteria such as diagnosis, cancer stage, age or gender. Speak to someone who's "been there."

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • Recent test results related to your condition
    • List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes

    International Services

    If you live outside the United States and are coming to UCSF for medical treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

    Learn more

    Interpreting Services

    UCSF offers interpreters in various languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), as well as services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.

    Learn more

    Hospital Stays

    Make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible by finding out how to prepare and what to expect.

    Learn more

    Your Doctor Visit

    See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.

    Learn more

    Related clinics

    Head & Neck Surgery Cancer Program

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St., Fifth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Cancer Immunotherapy Toxicity Evaluation (CITE) Program

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Cancer Symptom Management

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic

    2320 Sutter St., Suite 102
    San Francisco, CA 94115

    Oral Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St., Fifth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94115

    Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery

    2380 Sutter St., Third Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94115

    Psycho-Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Clinic

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St., Fifth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center in Berkeley

    Berkeley Outpatient Center

    3100 San Pablo Ave., Suite 280
    Berkeley, CA 94702

    Can't find what you're looking for?

    UCSF Help Center

    (888) 689-8273

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