Ascension St. John provides comprehensive cancer care for head and neck cancers
At Ascension Saint John in Oklahoma, you’ll find specialists who are part of a national team of providers, sharing best practices, advanced treatments and the latest research for head and neck cancer — bringing the best of oncology care close to home.
Your ear, nose and throat (ENT) cancer specialists collaborate through multidisciplinary consultation appointments. In many instances, you may see multiple specialists (such as your surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist) during the same visit. Together, we work with you to create a care plan tailored to your condition and goals. This approach helps us deliver treatment options that are more timely and efficient.
Your care team may include board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons, ENTdoctors, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, oncology nurses, dietitians and cancer specialists.
Cancer is personal, and so is the way we care for you. You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor and an entire care team, connecting the dots for you. Your doctor and care team will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small. By getting to know you and working together, you get a care plan that’s customized to your needs. And with a plan, comes hope. Our goal is to help you recover faster so you can get back to your daily life.
Along the way, your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, physical therapy or other specialty services. You do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis or when you come to us during your care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator who helps you schedule appointments and connect with any other services you need.
At Ascension St. John, we deliver the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities, medication treatments and support services.
If you require surgery, our experienced endocrine and head and neck surgeons collaborate with other surgical specialists to deliver advanced care at every step. For throat cancer surgery and thyroid and parathyroid gland surgery, our surgeons use advanced techniques, including 3D imaging and endoscopic nerve monitoring technology to deliver leading-edge treatments that support your safety and may lead to a faster recovery.
There are several types of head and neck cancer (sometimes called oral cancer), and they all have different treatment plans.
Our team treats many types of head and neck cancers, including cancer that affects your:
This group of cancers often form in cells that line the moist surfaces within the head and neck.
Using tobacco and drinking too much alcohol may increase your risk of developing head and neck cancer.
Head and neck cancer does not include brain cancer or cancer of the eye.
Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, where it began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular and genetic studies to identify head and neck cancer subtypes and create a personalized care plan.
To diagnose head and neck cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:
If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
If you’re considered high-risk or have a family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend cancer genetic screening, testing and counseling to help better understand your risk for developing cancer.
Laser surgery is most often used to remove tumors in the larynx, or voice box.
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension St. John. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.
When you have received a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our head and neck cancer specialists in Oklahoma can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is non-invasive or invasive and to understand where the tumor began and whether or not the cancer has spread. Diagnostic blood testing, imaging and endoscopic procedures can help your doctor diagnose your condition and stage even the most rare cancers. And we use advanced genetic and molecular studies to recognize head and neck cancer subtypes to create a care plan for your type of cancer.
Head and neck cancer treatment options will vary based on the type and stage of cancer. At Ascension St. John, our care teams have access to non-surgical therapies and advanced ENT surgical treatments, including:
Please call us at 918 403-6284 for information on how to obtain a referral. If you are a provider referring a patient, call 918-403-6284.
Ascension St. John Medical Center
1923 South Utica Ave
Tulsa, OK 74104
Ascension St. John Jane Phillips
3500 Southeast Frank Phillips Blvd
Bartlesville, OK 74006
Ascension St. John Broken Arrow
1000 West Boise Cir
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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September 30, 2026
As Ascension St. John moves into its next century of care, we look back on the legacy of people that made it what it is today. For some, a career begins with a job offer. For Jane Hahn, it began with a calling.
August 26, 2026
As Ascension St. John marks 100 years in Tulsa, Sister Loretta Hall reflects on the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother legacy of compassionate care and service.
February 4, 2026
Ascension St. John workforce development manager felt called to come back to the place where she started her career to help the Tulsa community explore careers in healthcare.
Ascension St. John is adding a Level 1 trauma center to the area, bringing convenient advanced emergency care close to home.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
October 17, 2024
Ascension St. John is the robotics leader in northeastern Oklahoma.
August 20, 2024
Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Clark at Ascension St. John Scoliosis and Spine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses a personalized care team approach to patient surgery