See your doctor urgently if you have: a neck lump > 3 weeks, persistent unexplained hoarsness, painful or difficult swallow, continuous pain in one ear, unexplained weight loss, new oral ulcer > 3 weeks, new lump, red or white patch on the lip or in the mouth.
You will be assessed urgently within 14 days of receiving a referral by one of our head and neck team members, including a discussion of your symptoms and examination including, where appropriate, an endoscopic examination of your throat.
Your specialty doctor will organise the appropriate investigations urgently, which may include a short diagnostic examination under general anaesthetic to biopsy any area of concern, scans of the area and possibly a needle biopsy. You will then be reviewed with the results either in person or by remote telephone consultation.
Our multidisciplinary team will discuss your results and then your Consultant will make a management plan together with you for the best course of treatment which may involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these. This decision will depend on the size, location and type of tumour. In certain situations it may be beneficial for you to have an additional pre-treatment appointment (insert hyperlink here) with further members of the cancer team and this will be discussed with you in clinic.
Once your treatment is complete you will enter a scheduled programme of surveillance and follow up to ensure you remain cancer free, and address any symptoms or concerns that you may have. In most cases this involves a 5 year period of review, with progressively longer intervals between appointments. It is important for you to contact us should you experience any new or concerning symptoms.
Sally Lane: 0151 529 5256 (Direct Line) or 0151 525 5980 Bleep 2023
Lesley Dempsey: 0151 529 5256 (Direct Line) or 0151 525 5980 Bleep 5018
Terence Lefebure: 0151 529 5256 (Direct Line)