The St. Joseph Hospital Head and Neck Program provides innovative care that offers patients the benefits of the latest medical technology. For example, St. Joseph Hospital was among the first in Orange County to offer a fully integrated Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) system to improve outcomes for patients receiving radiation treatment. Our experienced surgeons also perform specialized reconstructive procedures to restore optimum function to areas of the head and neck that have been affected by cancer and its treatment.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
IMRT delivers a precise dose of radiation to the area being treated by breaking up the traditional beam into a number of pencil-sized rays. The strength and shape of these multiple beams can be easily modified and adjusted during treatment to dramatically reduce the dosage level of radiation reaching healthy tissue, while delivering a very high dose to the tumor.

Microvascular repairs
Microvascular reconstruction can provide improved function in many cases of head and neck cancer. Surgery and/or chemotherapy/radiation therapy may impair speech and swallowing while destroying tumor. Reconstruction can many times improve these side effects.

Specialized reconstructive procedures to promote functionality
In the past 20 years there have been major improvements in maintaining patient function after treatment for head and neck cancer. As a result of new cancer treatment techniques and reconstructive surgery when needed, fewer patients lose their swallowing and speech function. Through the efforts of our multidisciplinary approach, many patients are able to lead quality lives after treatment.