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.
Our locations
Clinical trials
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
Study of MK-4830 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants...
The occurrence of the following toxicities, if assessed by the investigator to be possibly, probably, or definitely related to study treatment administration: Grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity (not laboratory) Grade 4 hematologic ...
Recruiting
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
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Best in the West in ear, nose & throat
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Best hospital in Northern California
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Best in Northern California in cancer care
Support services
Plan your visit
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.
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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.
Hospital Stays
Checking into the hospital? Find helpful information by clicking on the relevant “Your Hospital Stay” booklet: Mission Bay, Parnassus or Mount
Zion.
Your Doctor Visit
See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.
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