Long Term Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Written by: James Suen, MD It is a privilege for me to share some of my experiences that may or could affect your health. I have had the opportunity t...
#lifeAhead
This April marks Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, and we're commemorating survivorship by spotlighting the inspirational journeys of two of our members. Their stories serve as a testament to the fact that there IS #lifeAhead after a cancer diagnosis. Click below to delve deeper into our campaign, discover valuable resources for raising awareness, and find out how you can contribute through donations this month.
Our Mission
SPOHNC is dedicated to raising awareness and meeting the needs of oral and
head and neck cancer patients through its resources and publications.
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) pronounced "Spunk" is a nonprofit organization involved in the development of programs of support. As such it can have an enormous positive impact on meeting the psychosocial needs of patients as well as preserving, restoring and promoting physical and emotional health.
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) has over 100 Chapters throughout the United States and continues to grow. Connecting with a local chapter is an invaluable first step in the healing process.
Please call SPOHNC directly at 1-800-377-0928 or email: info@spohnc.org for additional Chapter meeting information in your area.
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) has over 100 Chapters throughout the United States and continues to grow. Connecting with a local chapter is an in-valuable first step in the healing process.
Find A Local Chapter Near You!
1-800-377-0928
News From SPOHNC,
is a newsletter for cancer survivors, family, friends and health professionals. Timely articles help to increase awareness of the many ongoing issues related to oral and head and neck cancer while offering information, support and encouragement.
Become a member and receive a FREE directory filled with products that help with the side effects of treatment.
View Previous Issues
Next Generation Cell Therapies Fighting HPV Positive Head and Neck Cancers – (Spring 2022)
– Ricardo F. Zwirtes, MD, VP of Clinical Development at SQZ Biotechnologies
Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Approach to Treatment and Future Directions (October/November 2021)
– Dan P. Zandberg, MD
Scientific Progress in Managing Treatment Side Effects for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors (May/June 2021)
– Ron J. Karni, MD
Cell Free HPV DNA: A new diagnostic and predictive test for HPV oropharynx cancer – (April 2021)
– Marshall Posner, MD & Eric Genden, MD, MHCA, FACS
The Challenges of Telemedicine for Head and Neck Oncologic Patients During COVID-19 – (March 2021)
– Karthik Rajasekaran, MD & Vasiliki Triantafillou, MD
Coronavirus and COVID-19: What People With Cancer Need to Know (June/July 2020)
– Merry Jennifer Markham, MD, FACP, FASCO
The Financial Burden of Head and Neck Cancer (February 2020)
– Grace Smith, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H
Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer (April 2019)
– Geoffrey Neuner, MD
How Integrative Oncology Services Can Help Those Affected by Head and Neck Cancers (March 2019)
– Santosh Rao, MD
Head and Neck Cancer Pain: Opioid Use and Alternatives (February 2019)
– Jessica McDermott, MD
Acupuncture Following Head and Neck Cancer Treatment (October 2018)
– Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Tips for Traveling with a Feeding Tube (May 2018)
– The Oley Foundation
Head and Neck Cancers – Major Changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition Cancer Staging Manual (February 2018)
Personalized Cancer Therapy (April 2017)
– Jeffrey Myers, MD, PhD, FACS
HPV Vaccine and Oropharyngeal Cancer (April 2015)
– Carole Fakhry, MD
Head and Neck Lymphedema: Shedding Light On a Unique Condition (March 2015)
– Leila G. Little, MS, CCC-SLP, CLT
– Jan S. Lewin, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Caring for Yourself and Advocating for Change as a Caregiver – (November/December 2022)
– Margaret L. Longacre, PhD, MSHE
Depression in Head and Neck Cancer Patients – (Summer 2022)
– Aru Panwar, MD, FACS & Rodolfo Manosalva, MD
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Support Because “Together WE Heal” (December 2021)
An Essay On Hope (Winter 2020/2021)
– David Hood
Taking The Healing Aspect of Music Further (November 2019)
– Sara Chigani, MA, MT-BC
Journaling Your Cancer Journey Benefits of Expressive Writing for People with Cancer (December 2019)
– Lynne Eldridge, MD
Returning to Work After Cancer Treatment: Ways to Ease Your Transition (March 2018)
– Nicole Van Hoey, PharmD
Reconnecting with your Spiritual Self…In Spite of the Holidays (December 2017)
– Alan Wright, Chaplain
April Awareness for Oral, Head and Neck Cancer (March 2017)
The Importance of Support
Holding On To Hope (December 2015)
– Clare Butt, RN, MSN, AOCN, PhD
Dental Implants After Head and Neck Cancer – (Fall 2022)
– Ryan S. Lee, DDS, MPH, MHA, AGD, FICOI, DIDIA
Oral/Head and Neck Cancer Treatment and Salivary Dysfunction (November 2021)
– James J. Sciubba, DMD, PhD
Prevention/Reduction of Oral Side Effects and Quality of Life (February 2016)
– Susan E. Calderbank, DMD
Hearing Loss in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors – (March 2022)
– Nicole C. Schmitt, MD and Katharine Fernandez, AuD, PhD
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients – (February 2022)
– Ziad K. Mirza, MD, CPE, CMD, FACP, MBA, ABIM, ABPM/UHM
Understanding Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome – (September 2022)
– Michael Stubblefield, MD
Baroreceptor Reflex Failure in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (February 2021)
– Neerav Goyal, MD, MPH
Physical Therapy From Diagnosis and Beyond (March 2020)
– Lisa M. Miller, DPT
Swallowing Assessment for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: Expectations and Outcomes (September 2020)
– Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, BRS-S
My Therapist Has 4 Legs (December 2018)
– David E. Williams, MD
Art Therapy (December 2018)
– Ashley Jones, MA
Reconstruction for Cancer of the Oral Cavity (November 2018)
– Joshua E. Lubek, MD, DDS, FACS
Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Part II: Other Essentials (November 2017)
– Liza Murray, APRN
– Allen M. Chen, MD
Cure is Not Enough: Why Survivorship Matters for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (September 2017)
– Liza Murray, APRN
– Allen M. Chen, MD
Swallowing Dysfunction After Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Patient Considerations and Practical Suggestions (November 2016)
– Jehee Choi, MD and Allen Chen, MD
Physical Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (March 2016)
– Leslie Waltke, PT, DPT
Rehabilitation of the Oral Cancer Patient with Dental and Maxillofacial Implants (November 2015)
– Joseph I. Helman, DMD
Facial Reanimation Surgery Following Facial Nerve Injury (September 2015)
– Bradley Mons, DO, Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon
Exploring Innovation in Cancer Therapy with Nanophysics (October 2020)
– Laurent Levy, PhD
Less Intensive Treatment May Be Possible For Some Patients with HPV Associated Head and Neck Cancer (October 2019)
– Robert Ferris, Md, PhD
Why Are Clinical Trials Important? (October 2016)
– Robert Ferris, Md, PhD
NIDCR Research to Help Cancer Survivors Overcome the Problem of Dry Mouth (May 2016)
– Geriann Piazza, M.A.
Proton Therapy to Reduce Side Effects in Head and Neck Cancer (April/May 2020)
– Brian C. Baumann, MD; Kelly M. MacArthur, MD
Proton Therapy Success with Head and Neck Cancer (May 2019)
– Steven J. Frank, MD
An Enlightening Summer Research Experience: Using Light Treatment for Oral Cancer Care (September 2019)
– Jaeyoung Choi and Praveen Arany, BDS, MDS, MMSc, PhD
Three Dimensional Printing for Head and Neck Cancer Surgery (September 2018)
– Monika E. Freiser, MD, MPH
Potential Side Effects of Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer (April 2018)
– Dan Zandberg, MD
Standard of Care vs. Reduced Dose Chemoradiation After Induction Chemotherapy in HPV + Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Patients (October 2017)
– Krzysztof Misiukiewicz, MD
– Marshall Posner, MD
– Eric Genden, MD
Chemoradiation Increases Survival for a Subset of Elderly Head and Neck Cancer Patients (September 2016)
– Sana Karam, MD, PhD
Transoral Robotic Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer (April 2016)
– Matthew Pierce, MD, Jessica H. Maxwell, MD, MPH, Bruce Davidson, MD, FACS
Immunotherapy (October 2015)
– Marshall Posner, MD
– Krzysztof Misiukiewicz, MD
Expert Nutritional Counseling for the Holidays and New Year (December 2016)
– Jessica Iannotta, MS, RD, CSO, CDN
– Chelsey Wisotsky, MS, RD, CDN, CSO
Choosing the Right Tube For You (February 2015)
– Lauren Schwartz, MD
Adding Dental Coverage to Medicare Could Be Crucial For Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Survivors (September 2021)
– Wey-Wey Kwok, JD
Disability Benefits for Oral Cancers and Cancers of the Head and Neck (May 2017)
– Disability Benefits Help
Cancer Coverage Under Medicare (May 2015)
– Danielle Kunkle
Supportive Care
Clinical Trials
Your Cancer Story
Supportive Care
A Valuable Resource
In this section, you will find valuable information on how to find a local chapter near you, how to connect to our National Survivor Volunteer Network, as well as useful resources and links from Diet and Nutrition to Cancer Centers, Professional Societies and much more.
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial Information
This information is intended to help clarify the purpose and process of these important studies. This includes information on the different types of clinical trials, what happens in them, the clinical trial process, information on clinical trial phases and more.
Recent Blog Entries
Written by: James Suen, MD It is a privilege for me to share some of my experiences that may or could affect your health. I have had the opportunity t...
Written by: Dr. London, MD Sinonasal malignancies, tumors that arise inside the nose and nearby sinus area, are an uncommon subset of head and neck ca...
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) Launches #lifeAhead to Celebrate Survivorship this Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness...
Written by: Ryan S. Lee, DDS, MPH, MHA, FAGD, FICOI, DIDIA Yes, You May Be a Candidate, with Caveats and Clinical Considerations! (Part 1 of 2) Every ...
Written by: Ricardo Zwirtes, MD Vice President of Clinical Development, SQZ Biotechnologies As we continue to search for more effective treatments for...
Written by Dan P. Zandberg, MD Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer that originates in the head and neck. The most frequent primary sites...
Written by Marshall Posner, MD & Eric Genden, MD, MHCA, FACS A large shift in the causes and natural history of head and neck cancer has radically...
Testimonials