Head and neck cancer is not one diagnosis. Tumors can arise in the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, nasal or sinus region and other sites, and treatment can affect swallowing, speech, breathing and appearance. German specialist centers therefore combine ENT, oral and maxillofacial surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology and supportive rehabilitation. International patients should request diagnosis- and site-specific multidisciplinary review rather than selecting surgery or radiation by technology name alone.
Confirm the exact primary site and pathology
Heidelberg notes that most head and neck cancers are squamous-cell carcinomas, while salivary-gland and other rare tumors have different biology. Treatment planning should start with pathology, the exact anatomic site, stage and previous treatment rather than the broad label 'head and neck cancer'.
HPV status can matter in oropharyngeal cancer
For selected oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinomas, HPV-related biology can affect prognosis, staging and trial eligibility. Send the original pathology and HPV/p16 results when available rather than assuming that all throat cancers follow the same pathway.
Multidisciplinary review is especially important because function matters
Freiburg emphasizes the effects of head and neck tumors on swallowing, breathing and voice and discusses cases in an interdisciplinary tumor board. Heidelberg's center combines ENT, oral and maxillofacial surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology, while Charité documents a certified center spanning multiple specialist departments. The treatment recommendation should address both cancer control and functional consequences.
Surgery can require reconstruction
Heidelberg lists tumor resection together with reconstruction using the patient's own tissue or prosthetic approaches. Freiburg's maxillofacial surgery program also describes complex resection and reconstruction in the oral and facial region. Ask the center to explain resection extent, neck-node surgery, reconstructive plan and expected effects on speech, swallowing and appearance before travel.
Radiotherapy can be definitive or combined with surgery and systemic treatment
Heidelberg publishes precision radiotherapy options including IMRT, IGRT, brachytherapy and selected heavy-ion treatment, while Freiburg provides comprehensive radiotherapy within its head and neck center. Whether radiation is used alone, with systemic therapy or around surgery depends on the primary site, stage, pathology and prior treatment.
Systemic therapy differs between curative and recurrent or metastatic settings
Heidelberg describes chemotherapy and immunotherapy among available systemic treatments. The exact strategy can depend on disease setting, biomarkers, previous therapy and patient fitness. A recurrent or metastatic case should be reviewed separately from a newly diagnosed localized tumor.
Dental, nutrition, speech and swallowing planning can be part of treatment
Head and neck treatment can affect teeth, jaw function, swallowing, nutrition and speech. Heidelberg includes oral and jaw infection assessment in diagnostics, while Freiburg provides voice and swallowing training and psychosocial support. International patients should ask which supportive assessments are needed before radiation or surgery and what rehabilitation must continue after returning home.
Records to send before travelling
A complete review package should allow the German team to verify diagnosis, stage, anatomy and prior therapy before deciding which specialists need to see the patient.
- Pathology report and, if requested, slides or tissue blocks
- HPV/p16 and relevant molecular or biomarker results when available
- CT, MRI and PET/CT images in DICOM format with reports
- Endoscopy or panendoscopy reports and operative findings
- Previous surgery and reconstruction reports
- Radiotherapy plan, dose and fields if previously irradiated
- Systemic-treatment history and response
- Current swallowing, airway, nutrition and dental issues
- Medication list and major comorbidities
Plan rehabilitation and follow-up before returning home
Freiburg includes tumor follow-up as well as voice and swallowing support, and Heidelberg states that the department responsible for primary treatment coordinates aftercare. Ask for a written follow-up plan covering imaging, endoscopic review, nutrition, dental care, speech/swallow therapy and warning signs that require urgent local assessment.
Sources and review
This guide was last source-reviewed on 2026-08-31.
- Head and Neck Cancer – diagnostics and treatment — National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg ↗
- DKG-certified Head Neck Cancer Center — National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg ↗
- Center for Head and Neck Tumors — University Medical Center Freiburg ↗
- Head and Neck Tumors – certified center — Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin ↗