Head and neck cancers can significantly impact your quality of life. These cancers are commonly linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, tobacco use, or a combination of both. At Texas Radiotherapy, our advanced technology and specialized clinical experience allow us to achieve higher cure rates while minimizing side effects compared to conventional radiation centers.
Head and neck cancer encompasses several distinct types, including:
The most common form is oropharyngeal cancer, which arises in the tonsils and the base of the tongue. The majority of oropharyngeal cases are driven by HPV. Notably, HPV-associated cancers in non-smokers typically carry a significantly better prognosis and higher survival rates than comparable non-HPV-related cancers.
There are a number of symptoms associated with HPV-related cancers including but not limited to:
Most head-and-neck cancers are diagnosed via the following:
Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are commonly employed in treating head-and-neck cancers. Radiation therapy is frequently used as the upfront definitive treatment and sometimes also following surgery. Head-and-neck cancers can be very technically challenging to treat and require advanced radiation therapy techniques and proper expertise in order to achieve the best outcomes possible. At Texas Radiotherapy, we have superior technologies and Dr. Cavey has extensive experience in treating complex head-and-neck cancers, including recurrences and skull-base tumors.
Because head and neck cancers can affect your ability to communicate and eat, precision matters when it comes to treating the complex, delicate and vital tissues and structures of the head and neck. Texas Radiotherapy’s Radixact® System by Accuray provides a non-surgical option designed to maximize the radiation delivered to the cancerous tumor while minimizing dose to healthy tissues, such as those in the brain, spinal cord, salivary and parotid glands. This capability helps protect those healthy tissues and their related functions and preserve your quality of life. The Radixact® system can be used to treat the entire spectrum of head and neck tumors and may provide an effective alternative when surgery is not possible or when the tumor cannot be entirely removed, or to reduce the risk of higher toxicities associated with the use of conventional radiation therapy.
The Radixact® delivers external radiation therapy in an even more advanced fashion than the VMAT / RapidArc delivered by other linear accelerators in the market. With the helical delivery of the Radixact®, patient’s treatments are much more precisely delivered; high-doses are better confined to the target and dose to the surrounding normal tissues is reduced even further.
The following is a link to a clinical trial that compared TomoHelical versus RapidArc in patients with head-and-neck tumors. The study found that patients treated with TomoHelical had improved survival with less side effects than those treated with RapidArc.
Dr. Cavey uses the Radixact with TomoHelical™ . This equipment provides provides proven superior clinical outcomes compared to rapidarc for head and neck cancer.
Cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and neck require an extraordinary degree of treatment precision. Because vital functions—speaking, swallowing, taste, and salivary production—are concentrated in a compact anatomical space, radiation must destroy malignant cells while rigorously protecting delicate structures. At Texas Radiotherapy, Dr. Matthew Cavey leverages over two decades of clinical expertise, specialized engineering-level treatment planning, and advanced Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to maximize cure rates while actively preserving your quality of life.
Below are five essential questions patients and families ask when considering head and neck radiation therapy with Dr. Cavey.
Sparing functional anatomy requires meticulous, sub-millimeter beam sculpting. Using high-definition Image-Guided IMRT (and helical delivery platforms), Dr. Cavey customizes the radiation dose to wrap tightly around the tumor and affected lymph node basins while dropping off steeply before critical structures. We specifically contour and constrain dose limits to the parotid and submandibular salivary glands (to prevent permanent dry mouth), the constrictor muscles responsible for swallowing, the larynx (vocal cords), and the spinal cord. Preserving these tissues from day one helps protect your long-term speech and natural swallowing function.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers—commonly arising in the oropharynx (tonsils and base of the tongue)—are biologically distinct and generally demonstrate significantly higher sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy than non-HPV tumors. During your initial consultation, Dr. Cavey thoroughly evaluates your tumor’s HPV/p16 status alongside your staging scans. For select HPV-positive patients, clinical advancements allow for potential “de-escalation” strategies (reduced radiation doses or smaller treatment fields) designed to achieve high cure rates while reducing unnecessary acute toxicity.
Because radiation to the head and neck can affect saliva production and reduce blood supply to the jawbone, protecting your dental health is mandatory before therapy begins. Prior to simulation, Dr. Cavey coordinates an evaluation with your dentist or an oral oncology specialist. Any compromised teeth in the direct radiation pathway must be addressed or extracted ahead of time to prevent serious long-term complications like osteoradionecrosis (bone damage). Custom fluoride trays are often fabricated to preserve your enamel during and after treatment.
Head and neck radiation is intensive, and side effects like a sore throat (mucositis), thickened saliva, and altered taste typically peak during the second half of therapy. At Texas Radiotherapy, supportive care is proactive, not reactive. From your planning session, we initiate specialized mucosal mouth rinses, targeted pain regimens, and hydration strategies. We work closely with clinical dietitians and speech-language pathologists early in the process to maintain your caloric intake and keep your swallowing muscles active, minimizing the need for reactive feeding-tube placements.
Yes. Head and neck radiation requires close, constant physician surveillance. While our experienced radiation therapists deliver your daily fractions, Dr. Cavey sees you directly for formal weekly “on-treatment” clinical exams to assess your throat lining, check your skin, evaluate nutritional weight stability, and adjust pain medications in real time. If symptoms shift between weekly visits, our Fort Worth clinic team is on-site and directly accessible—you always have immediate access to your physician.
Consult Directly with Dr. Cavey
Treating head and neck cancers requires experienced hands, advanced technology, and compassionate support. Schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Cavey to review your pathology and imaging, discuss organ-sparing techniques, and design a personalized curative plan.
Schedule a Head & Neck Cancer Consultation or call our Fort Worth clinic directly at 817-796-6400
