Head & Neck Cancer

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center understands that you need a comprehensive and highly trained team of specialists to offer innovative head and neck cancer care. At Hollings, our team of head and neck cancer specialists work together each day to treat patients like you. And with a wide range of expertise, we don't just rely on existing treatments — our team is continually searching for new, better ways to meet your needs.

We’re Here For You

At Hollings, we know a cancer diagnosis can be a life changing event. We are here to support you through your journey. Call 843-792-9300 and make an appointment. Experience what sets us apart.

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graphic that says Hollings Cancer Center is rated by U.S. News & World Report as a high performing hospital for cancer in 2022-23

In good hands

You know you're in good hands at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Here, you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment, including clinical trials, advanced surgical techniques, support services and survivorship planning. You can rest easy knowing we hold national rankings for cancer care and take a leadership role in cancer research and prevention.

The Hollings difference

Treatment and Support

Hollings offers you state-of-the-art treatment close to home. Using the latest advancements, our head and neck cancer specialists and nurse navigators will come up with a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan for you that may include:

Radiation Therapy

State-of-the-art radiation therapy, including the TrueBeam STx, TomoTherapy^®Hi-Art^® Treatment System and Leksell Gamma Knife^® Perfexions™.
Brachytherapy to implant radioactive seeds at the tumor site to provide targeted radiation.

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

The MUSC Health Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Clinic, adjacent to the Wellin Clinic, bridges medicine and dentistry together in the collaborative arenas of patient care, research and teaching. Our clinic team works to create prosthetic eyes, ears, nose, teeth and palates, greatly improving your quality of life and functional outcomes. The division’s mission is to be the leader in promoting the highest standards of excellence for those afflicted with head and neck cancer by improving the quality of life and function through patient care, teaching and discovery of knowledge.

Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing

Specialists in voice, speech and swallowing disorders from MUSC Health’s Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing work closely with Head and Neck Tumor Center surgeons. Using the most advanced techniques, these specialists help you to regain speech and improve swallowing following surgery.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Transoral robotic surgery of the mouth, throat and voice box.
Minimally invasive surgery for tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, mouth, throat and base of the skull.

Nurse Navigator Support

Our head and neck cancer nurse navigator, Savannah A. Zimmerman, MA, BSN, RN, CCTC, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Dr. Rodney Schlosser looks at video screen showing patient scans with a colleague

HPV is associated with forms of head and neck cancer and can be prevented by ensuring you are up to date on vaccinations. Hollings offers you HPV vaccines in the clinic and through our mobile health unit.

Our team of world-renowned specialists has various ways to screen for head and neck cancer including a comprehensive exam and innovative digitally recorded endoscopic video imaging.

Our team of head and neck cancer specialists is constantly striving to improve treatment options and outcomes for you. By using team science, our doctors and scientists collaborate to look at ways to solve problems and overcome barriers.

Recent projects include:

Identifying and trying to solve treatment delays and barriers for head and neck cancer patients.
Developing a new tool to predict delays in post-surgical radiotherapy.
Improving the timeliness and equity of care in South Carolina.

In addition, Hollings’ dedicated Head & Neck Transdisciplinary Cancer Team brings together expertise from different disciplines in basic and clinical research for monthly meetings to collaborate on ongoing head and neck cancer research.

As South Carolina’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers you clinical trials and treatments that aren’t available anywhere else in the state. These opportunities provide you with access to the latest medications, therapies, and surgical techniques that can improve your outcomes. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current head and neck cancer clinical trials.

“ I can’t control what happens in the future. I have no way of knowing if that cancer is coming back. What I can control is what I do now. I can try and remain healthy and active in the event I have to battle cancer again someday. ”

Bruce Dales, adenoid cystic carcinoma survivor
Bruce's story

“ I’m living proof that if cancer research didn’t exist, I probably wouldn’t be here. That’s why I believe it’s important to continue conducting research to keep discovering more modernized ways to combat cancer. ”

Tony Pesavento, laryngeal cancer survivor
Tony's story