Providence Cancer Institute Franz Head and Neck Clinic
We offer world-class care for patients with benign and malignant tumors of the oral cavity (mouth), tongue, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), nose, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands and thyroid gland, as well as tumors at the skull base.
Providence Cancer Institute Franz Head and Neck Clinic
We offer world-class care for patients with benign and malignant tumors of the oral cavity (mouth), tongue, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), nose, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands and thyroid gland, as well as tumors at the skull base.
Meet the Team
At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
At Providence Cancer Institute, physicians, dentists, nurses, speech pathologists, audiologists, nutritionists and social workers work together to provide a personalized plan for your cancer. This approach not only improves outcomes, but also helps to ensure that you maintain a positive quality of life throughout your treatment.
You will have access to:
- Unique therapies and clinical trials
- Expert care from our head and neck specialists
- Comprehensive services including reconstruction, rehabilitation and oral oncology all in a single, convenient location
- Dentistry
- Head and neck surgery
- Hyperbaric medicine
- Laryngology
- Medical oncology
- Microvascular surgery
- Neurotology
- Nutrition services
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Oral medicine
- Oral oncology
- Otolaryngology
- Radiation oncology
- Social services
- Speech-language pathology
- Single-site consultation and assessment
- Second opinions
- Biologic and immunologic therapies
- Chemotherapy
- Brachytherapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic radiation therapy
- Comprehensive reconstruction with microvascular free tissue
- Cancer risk assessment and counseling
- Cancer genetic counseling
- Multidisciplinary cancer care
- Cancer support groups
- Oncology social work
- Oral oncology and oral medicine
- Cancer information and referral
- Extensive experience in evaluation and treatment of a variety of head and neck tumors involving the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, nose, paranasal sinuses, thyroid and salivary glands, cutaneous malignancies and periorbital tumors
- Voice and swallowing rehabilitation
- Transoral robotic surgery
- Computer-assisted surgical resection and reconstruction
- Microvascular free tissue transfers
- Minimally invasive endoscopic skull base surgery
- Targeted radiation therapy
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck cancer
- Immediate reconstruction and placement of dental implants
- Craniofacial implants and prosthetic rehabilitation
Head and neck cancer includes several types of cancer that begin in the head, neck or throat.
Oral cavity cancer, also called oral cancer or mouth cancer, starts in the mouth. It includes the lips, the cheeks, or the front of the tongue. These tumors can involve the mandible and can affect speech and swallowing.
Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the middle part of the throat. It includes the base of the tongue, soft palate and tonsils. There are many types of cancer of the oropharynx. Most of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of these tumors is on the rise.
Nasal cavity cancers start inside the nose. Paranasal sinus cancers most often start in the maxillary sinuses in the cheeks and below the eyes on either side of the nose. These tumors can also involve the skull base, the orbit, or nerves that given sensation to the face. A number of different cancers originate in this area, including squamous cell carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, or adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Laryngeal cancer begins in the larynx, or voice box. Almost all laryngeal cancers develop from squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells in the inner lining of the tissue. A tumor in this area can affect the voice, swallowing or the airway.
Hypopharyngeal cancer affects the lower part of the throat. Like laryngeal cancer, it most often develops from squamous cells lining the throat.
Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx, a box-like chamber. It is the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of the skull. It is very rare in the United States.
Salivary gland cancer affects the glands that rest on the sides of the face (parotid), below the jaw (submandibular), and inside the mouth and nose (minor salivary glands) that produce saliva. Salivary gland cancer is rare in the United States.
Many types of head and neck cancers can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. In some cases, a mass in the neck can be the earliest sign of a problem. Cancers rarely originate in the soft tissues, nerves, or blood vessels in the neck.
When you first hear the words “it’s cancer,” the road ahead may seem overwhelming. But from that moment on, Providence Cancer Institute surrounds you with people to help you through the journey. Treating your cancer is not only about treating the disease; it is also about supporting you as a whole person – body, mind and spirit. Here are some of our key support services to help you get through your treatment and emerge as healthy as possible.
- Oncology nurse navigators work directly with your oncologists, surgeons, and care team to help you better understand and follow your treatment plans. The compassionate guidance of nurse navigators has been shown to improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Learn more about nurse navigators. - Oncology social workers are trained counselors who help patients and families cope with the emotional stresses and practical concerns associated with cancer. Providence cancer patients and their families can benefit from our social work services.
Learn more about what an oncology social worker can do for you. - Oncology nutrition. Cancer and cancer treatments can affect the way your body tolerates certain foods and uses nutrients. Our registered dietitians specialize in cancer nutrition and are here to help.
Learn more about oncology nutrition. - Integrative medicine offers an excellent complement to conventional medicine to help patients achieve optimal health. Programs and services include acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy, therapeutic massage and more.
Learn more about integrative medicine. - Palliative care is a type of health care that focuses on improving your physical, emotional and spiritual health while you receive cancer treatment giving special attention to relieving pain and other distressing symptoms.
Learn more about palliative care. - Cancer rehabilitation combines evidence-based cancer rehabilitation practices with services to address side effects and symptoms. The result is our patients recover their energy, well-being and quality of life more completely and quickly.
Learn more about cancer rehabilitation.
In addition to providing expert cancer care, Providence Cancer Institute provides an extra dimension of care through our many support services and cancer resources.
- Support groups provide education and support for cancer patients and their loved ones. Support groups are led by our professional staff and are offered as a free service to any person with cancer in our community.
- Peer support is offered by trained volunteers who provide one-on-one peer support for patients with cancer and/or their caregivers. It is an opportunity to talk about your fears or concerns with someone who comes from a place of understanding your journey.
Learn more about support groups and peer support. - The Living Well Guide is designed to provide our patients with one reference for all contact numbers, support services and self-care information.
- The Living Well Through Cancer Treatment and Beyond Video Series will give you information, support and hope. Each video features patients who share their stories and experiences with helpful advice from cancer care experts.
Learn more about Living Well Guide & video series.
Both the Living Well Guide and the video series are available in several languages.
- Childcare
- Financial resources
- Guest housing
- Lending libraries
- Rehabilitation services
- Transportation resources
- Wellness classes
- Screening and prevention
Why Choose Us for Your Cancer Care?
Part of Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon
Providence Cancer Institute is a leading provider of cancer care in Oregon, and part of the largest community-based cancer-care network in the United States. Regardless of where you go for care, you have an entire team of cancer experts working together to provide a personalized, whole-person approach to your care. At Providence we see more than a cancer diagnosis, we see the life in you and are committed to helping you live well again.
Find Clinical Trials
Are you looking for a clinical trial for yourself or for a patient? We’d love to help you find one!