Referring Physicians: Head and Neck Cancer Services

If you're a patient looking for care, please visit our head and neck cancer services page.

This page is intended for referring physicians seeking advanced care and surgical options for patients with head and neck cancers.

RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center provides a wide range of treatments for head and neck cancer, including minimally invasive surgery, reconstructive surgery, advanced radiation and immunotherapy services and supportive therapy.

Our head and neck cancer team includes experienced medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, head and neck surgeons, plastic surgeons, speech therapists, nutritionists and other providers. Experts at RUSH MD Anderson treat a high volume of head and neck cancers.

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Treatment at RUSH MD Anderson?

RUSH MD Anderson head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists and other physicians can treat all types of head and neck cancers, including the most complex patients.

We can provide specialized care for patients seeking minimally invasive surgery for head and neck tumors, and patients seeking reconstructive surgery after head and neck cancer treatment. We also provide speech and swallowing support to help patients regain function after treatment.

Why Refer Patients Here?

Minimally invasive expertise: Our head and neck surgeons are leaders in minimally-invasive treatments for head and neck cancer. RUSH MD Anderson provides Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS), the new standard of care for removing benign and malignant tumors in the mouth and throat. Rush was among the first hospitals in Chicago to offer this treatment. TORS provides a faster recovery time with less scarring than traditional surgery.

Leading reconstructive surgeons: Our expert reconstructive surgeons repair defects to the face and neck caused by tumor removal. Microvascular reconstruction and state-of-the-art virtual surgical planning capabilities allow our surgeons to precisely correct defects from cancer treatment or contour irregularities.

Enhanced recovery after surgery: We use enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol to optimize patients’ experience. We are able to discharge most patients without opioids.

Therapeutic support: RUSH MD Anderson provides comprehensive support for patients after head and neck cancer treatments. Expert speech pathologists, occupational therapists and nutritional counselors provide frequent support during and after treatment to help patients maintain and return to normal function. For patients requiring total laryngectomy, we provide expert tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis care and management.

Among the best in the U.S.: Rush University Medical Center is ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for oncology and ear, nose and throat care by U.S. News & World Report.

What is the process for referring a patient?

To refer a patient to RUSH MD Anderson, call our Provider Express Line at (312) 947-4725. You can also refer patients online through our provider referral form. For more information about referring patients, you can visit our Referring and Transferring Patients page.