Minimally Invasive Throat Cancer Surgery

After a diagnosis is made and the stage (extent) of the cancer determined, your doctor will suggest appropriate treatment options. The goal of treatment is to eradicate the cancer and prevent it from spreading. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, often applied in combination.

Types of Surgery

If your doctor recommends surgery, there are two primary types: open and transoral (through the mouth). Tumor size, stage and location determine the type of surgery required. While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual.

Traditional Open Surgery
Traditional open surgery to remove throat cancer typically requires your surgeon to make a long incision through the jaw and throat. Your surgeon may also need to break the jawbone to access the tumor. This approach can result in difficulty eating, speaking and/or swallowing. Reconstructive or plastic surgery may be needed to rebuild the bones or tissues removed during treatment.

Transoral Surgery
If your doctor recommends surgery to treat throat cancer, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Transoral Surgery. The da Vinci System enables your doctor to perform this delicate operation for early-to-moderate stage cancer. It can help avoid aspects of traditional surgery that can lead to reconstructive surgery. da Vinci Surgery can offer throat cancer patients numerous potential benefits over traditional treatments, including:

• Significantly less blood loss
• No visible scarring or disfigurement
• No tracheotomy
• Minimization or elimination of need for chemoradiation therapy
• Fewer complications
• Shorter hospital stay
• Fast recovery, return to normal speech and swallowing
• Excellent cancer control

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is patient and procedure-specific.