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We provide interdisciplinary care of the head and neck cancer patient:
Specialized ~ Coordinated ~ Comprehensive
We provide patient-centered, interdisciplinary care of cancer and non-cancer conditions has drawn patients to our Center from all across the globe. From the start, every head and neck cancer patient is offered a coordinated plan of care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.
Our integrated approach combines all of these specialties to provide the latest advances in diagnostics, treatment, research, and support services: Speech-language Pathology, Otolaryngology Nurse Specialists, Oncology Registered Dietician, Oncology Social Work, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Oral Pathology, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, and Radiology.
Going beyond your physical needs to provide emotional and practical support.
Our care doesn't end with state-of-the-art surgery and advanced technology. The Milton J. Dance Jr. Head and Neck Center also provides a wide range of programs and services to improve our patients' quality of life. Patients and family members receive exceptional care through counseling and education, discharge planning, home health care coordination, support groups, head and neck cancer tumor board meetings, interdisciplinary patient care conferences, and more. Every step of the way, our patients experience compassion from people who care in a healing, supportive environment.
Collaborating with the Johns Hopkins Head & Neck Surgery Team.
The Milton J. Dance Jr. Head and Neck Center's interdisciplinary team works hand-in-hand with GBMC's on-site Johns Hopkins Head & Neck Surgery team-offering expertise in organ preservation, microvascular and laryngeal surgery, minimally invasive techniques, voice rehabilitation, and research-based clinical trials. In collaboration with Johns Hopkins, The Milton J. Dance Jr. Head and Neck Center also manages all types of laryngeal voice problems including benign and malignant lesions, neurological disorders, and vocal dysfunction due to behavioral causes.
For Cancer Patients
From the start, every head and neck cancer patient is offered a coordinated plan of care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. Each patients' physical and emotional needs are addressed through programs and services with the primary goal of optimizing patient's quality of life by providing team intervention through:
- Head and neck tumor board and patient care interdisciplinary conferences
- Speech pathology, nursing, psychosocial and nutritional rehabilitation services
- Counseling and education for patients and family members
- Discharge planning and home health care coordination
- Patient and family support groups
- Nutrition Lecture Series
- Ongoing patient educational programs
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Voice Screenings
 The Tumor Board and Patient Care Conferences
The Center's interdisciplinary team meets weekly to facilitate communication among the team regarding patients treatment planning and current status. This ensures communication among our professional team along with a coordinated ongoing plan of care for our patients. Team members include specialists from head & neck surgery, otolaryngology, radiation and medical oncology, oral maxillofacial prosthodontics, oral medicine and oral pathology, radiology, speech-language pathology, nursing, social work, nutrition and other allied health professionals.
The weekly team conference provides a coordinated and ongoing plan of care for our patients and includes:
- Presentation of all new patients and recommended treatment plans
- Status reports of all patients actively involved in the diagnosis or treatments stages
Our Team Approach
Patients and their families receive education and counseling during every stage of care. Individual and group support services are provided by a team that consists of the speech-language pathologists, head and neck nurse specialist, oncology social workers, and a registered dietitian.
Speech Pathology Services
Speech pathologists are an integral part of the team during the initial evaluation process, throughout treatment and post treatment. Our speech pathologists provide a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services addressing speech, language, voice, cognition and swallowing to improve patients' quality of life. State-of-the-art technology and a healing outpatient environment complement clinical services to provide comprehensive rehabilitation.
Head and Neck Nursing
The head and neck nurse specialist provides patient education and teaching to patients to help them better understand the side effects of surgical and non-surgical cancer treatments. This clinical expertise extends to patients in any stage of care - from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.
Oncology Social Work
Our oncology social work staff strives to assist patients, their families and caregivers by lending emotional support and practical problem-solving. Oncology social workers address patients' emotional and psychosocial needs, and provide information regarding the Center's support groups and other community resources. Discharge planning, counseling services, resource referral and support groups offer a time and place to positively impact the success of any treatment.
Nutritional Counseling
Nutritional counseling and education serves to ensure that head and neck cancer patients have an ongoing plan to their nutritional needs. Following surgery or while undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment, patients receive specialized nutrition education from a registered dietitian. Dietary intake is continually assessed to ensure each patient maintains a strong body that is supported during cancer treatment. Nutrition is optimized to manage side effects, and to support healing, recovery and return to a healthy diet.
Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine
Dr. Sciubba is a world-renowned Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist, who has published widely and presents nationally and internationally. He is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. He provides clinical expertise in oral mucous membrane diseases, jaw tumors, odontogenic tumors, assessment & treatment of facial pain, and salivary gland diseases.
Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Ghassan G. Sinada, DDS serves as dental consultant and prosthdontist for our head and neck cancer patients. He is an expert in the diagnosis, treatment planning and rehabilitation of oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with dental, oral and maxillofacial conditions.
What Can I Do to Help?
Patient & Caregiver Involvement
- Speak to children about the dangers of tobacco (at schools, youth groups, etc.).
- Organize community screenings.
- Get involved with local support groups
- Encourage friends and family to quit smoking and provide them with the resources to do it.
Research
Inquire about research opportunities through the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center at GBMC.
Donations & Contributions
Donations and contributions may be made to The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center at GBMC. Your donation is used to allow the Dance Center to provide community outreach, patient education and research in head and neck cancer. Please call 443-849-8451 or e-mail bmessing@gbmc.org for additional information.
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