Laser tech is relieving painful side effects for head and neck cancer patients at Ohio State. Some common treatments for head and neck cancers, including chemotherapy and radiation, can cause mucositis — painful sores and inflammation in the mouth and throat. OSUCCC – James specialists are among the only doctors in the country using laser mucositis therapy to provide relief to affected patients. “The lasers reduce inflammation they promote healing, but most importantly, they relieve pain, Matthew Old, MD, says. “After the procedure, many patients are able to get through therapy and maintain their nutrition, which is key and critical for them.” More about head and neck cancer Head and neck cancers are complex diseases. Each patient’s cancer is different, behaving differently in the bodies they’re in and calling for a tailored, individualized treatment plan for each patient. To deliver the most effective head and neck cancer detection and treatment, our internationally renowned experts identify and understand cancer at the biologic and genetic levels, unlocking the molecular code of a patient’s disease and pinpointing what makes each cancer grow — then discovering what stops it. Our team of head and neck cancer subspecialists spans a broad range of disciplines: from medical and radiation oncologists to head and neck surgeons, dentists, voice and swallowing specialists, molecular and biological pathologists, genetic scientists and more — all specializing in a specific type of head and neck cancer research, prevention, detection, treatment and cure. It’s that subspecialization and singular focus that enable us to discover, develop and deliver the most targeted therapies for each individual head and neck cancer patient. And that means our collective expertise leads to improved outcomes, faster responses, fewer side effects and more hope for cancer patients everywhere. Learn about the different types of head and neck cancer, and symptoms, treatment and more.