Throat cancer and voice box cancer

Our physicians and surgeons are expertly equipped to treat and surgically remove tumors from the throat, voice box and tonsils, while preserving your ability to speak and function normally. We work as a team, incorporating specialists in ear nose and throat surgery, medical and radiation oncology, reconstructive surgery, oral surgery as well as dentistry. Our goal is to create a personalized treatment plan for the stage and type of your oral cancer. We do our best to treat your cancer and return you to your daily activities as quickly as possible.

If you have been diagnosed with the type of HPV that increases your risk for throat cancer, we work closely with you so treatment can be tailored to your specific situation. Our overarching goal is to detect your throat cancer or voice box cancer early, tailor your treatment, and increase your chances for a positive and long-term outcome.

Choose Duke for your throat or voice box cancer treatment because we offer:

• Nationally-ranked cancer program. We are consistently ranked among the best cancer programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, as a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, our throat cancer and voice box cancer team is recognized for exploring new treatment opportunities through ongoing clinical trials. We offer you the latest research discoveries before they are available elsewhere.
• Techniques to preserve function. Our physicians are specially trained in surgical and medical techniques that preserve the structure of your voice box, as well as your ability to speak.
• Access to ongoing research. You may be eligible to participate in ongoing research that may help you or others with oral cancers.
• A comprehensive team. Our specialists - otolaryngologists who are experts in head and neck surgery, medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, dentists, reconstructive surgeons and oral surgeons - work together to ensure you receive the best possible care. Specially trained nurses, occupational therapists and speech pathologists who help you recover and resume your daily activities.
• Advanced surgical skill. Our surgical specialists are expertly equipped to remove tumors in the head and neck, and use a variety of tools, including laser surgery and robotic surgery, to increase surgical precision and remove hard-to-reach tumors in the throat and voice box.
• Experienced radiologists. Our radiologists are specially trained to read images for throat and cancer voice box cancer, and have experience based on doing just that on a regular basis. We use MRI and CT which produce superior quality images with lower doses of radiation exposure.
• Support to you and your family. Our comprehensive support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of cancer treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View all of our cancer support groups in our event calendar.  
• Comforting environment. Our Duke Cancer Center features spacious waiting areas, a Quiet Room, large infusion rooms, and a rooftop garden area where patients - based on their treatment regimen - can receive chemotherapy outdoors.