Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Head and neck cancer
Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care delivers comprehensive care for head and neck cancers.
Advanced care for head and neck cancer in Wisconsin
Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care delivers comprehensive care for head and neck cancers.
Head and neck cancer care in Wisconsin
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.
Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person – your physical and mental health. We also provide compassionate, personalized support for your family and caregivers. At Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Center, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our cancer providers are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
Types of head and neck cancer we treat
There are several types of head and neck cancer (sometimes called oral cancer), and they all have different treatment plans.
Our specialists in Wisconsin treat many types of head and neck cancers, including cancer that affects your:
- Lymph nodes in the neck
- Thyroid and parathyroid gland
- Mouth, tongue, lips, gums
- Nose and sinuses
- Salivary glands
- Throat, including tonsils
- Vocal cords and surrounding structures
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 symptoms
Common symptoms of head and neck cancer include:
- A lump in the neck
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Voice changes or hoarseness
- A mouth sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
- Persistent ear pain
How we diagnose head and neck cancer
Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, where it began and whether 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. We use advanced genetic and molecular studies to recognize head and neck cancer subtypes and create a personalized care plan for you.
To diagnose head and neck cancer, your doctor at Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care may recommend testing, such as:
We offer biopsy tests and the latest endoscopic procedures to evaluate your mouth, sinuses, thyroid and parathyroid glands, throat and esophagus for cancer cells.
If you are high-risk or have a family history of cancer, we deliver cancer genetic screening, testing and counseling to help you and your doctor better understand your risk for developing cancer.
Getting a regular oral exam by your doctor or dentist may help find head and neck cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Doctors and dentists may use an infrared light to help visualize abnormal cells in the mouth and throat. During an endoscopic procedure, a lighted scope helps your doctor view your throat past your tonsils. When you choose ear, nose and throat specialists at Ascension Wisconsin for your care, you are connected to all the care you need — from routine screenings to advanced care.
How we treat head and neck cancer
At Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care, we deliver the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities, medication treatments and support services.
Our experienced endocrine and head and neck surgeons collaborate with other surgical specialists to deliver advanced care before, during and after head and neck cancer surgery. 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.
Head and neck cancer treatment options will vary based on the type and stage of cancer. At Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care, our care teams have access to non-surgical therapies and advanced ENT surgical treatments, including:
Your medical oncologist works with your head and neck cancer surgeon to provide chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy to help stop cancer spread. These therapies work to destroy cancer cells, slow tumor growth and help your immune system better recognize and fight cancer.
Using advanced endoscopic technology and laser energy, our surgeons can remove or treat abnormal tissue through the mouth or nose without external cutting. This minimally invasive treatment can help reduce recovery time while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
Lymph node surgery may be recommended to treat head and neck cancers that have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Our experienced surgical teams use advanced techniques to remove affected lymph nodes while working to preserve surrounding healthy tissue whenever possible.
Advanced radiation therapy is used to target and destroy cancer cells while avoiding damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Your cancer care team and cancer surgeon work together with plastic surgeons who provide reconstructive facial and soft tissue surgery, as needed, after your primary cancer treatment. Options may include scar reduction, nose and cheek implants, skin grafts and more. Your care team works with you to create a care plan to help you to look and feel more like yourself again.
This high-dose radiation targets head or neck tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Using advanced imaging and technology, our specialists can treat your cancer with fewer treatment sessions.
Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups and spiritual care. At Ascension Wisconsin sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and their loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. Call 262-204-7409 for more information.
This treatment option is focused on removing cancerous tissue in the head or neck while preserving as much healthy tissue and face or neck function as possible. Our experienced surgeons use advanced surgical techniques and technology to target infected tissue.
Speech therapists deliver personalized therapies to help improve vocal cord recovery, swallowing and how your facial muscles respond.
Ask about virtual care (telehealth or online) appointments as part of your ongoing care. You can have these virtual visits from the comfort of your home. You'll be able to talk with your doctor one-on-one via video from your phone or computer and get the care that's right for you.
Cancer prevention and wellness care
At Ascension Wisconsin, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring an individual’s risk for developing cancer. Through our personalized Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program, we’ll work closely with you to create a care plan that includes targeted screenings, testing and follow-up care based on your individual risk. Talk with your doctor or contact the Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program at 262-785-2273.
Clinical trials
If you want to learn more about other cancer care options or would like to participate in one of our ongoing clinical trials, talk to your doctor to see what is available for you.
How to get care
At Ascension Wisconsin, you get an entire team dedicated to your care. You may have a lot of concerns and questions. Your doctor and care team are ready to listen and answer your questions. Working together, we offer services that help support your treatment plan, including managing pain and other symptoms, medications, appetite changes, difficulty swallowing, sleeplessness, fatigue and mood changes. Your care team stays connected throughout your care to discuss your treatment and progress.
Get a second opinion
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 Wisconsin. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options.
When you have received a new head and neck cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our cancer specialists in Wisconsin can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Financial assistance for cancer care
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care navigator can connect you to a financial counselor who will assess benefits and insurance coverage so you can focus on your well-being. We also help find financial resources to offset out-of-pocket costs, when possible.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
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