Helping Head and Neck Cancer Patients Access Care Sooner
Published Monday, August 10, 2026
Pictured (L-R) Dr. Margaret Anthes performing a mock demonstration of the rhinolaryngoscope on Mellissa Linke, Manager of Radiation Therapy, Surgical Oncology & Tamarack House at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Approximately 60 to 70 head and neck cancer patients are seen at Regional Cancer Care Northwest each month for follow-up care. Supporting that care every day is donor-funded equipment, helping cancer care teams assess tumours before treatment, monitor changes during treatment, and evaluate recovery afterward.
A rhinolaryngoscope is a small camera that allows physicians to view the upper aerodigestive tract from the nasal cavity to the vocal cords. According to Dr. Margaret Anthes, a radiation oncologist at our Cancer Centre, today's scopes provide high-definition digital images that can be recorded.
That visualization is especially important before, during, and after cancer treatment. Physicians combine information from the rhinolaryngoscope with other diagnostic imaging to help plan treatment and assess how tumours change over time.
The Cancer Centre holds three clinics each month for head and neck cancer patients. These multidisciplinary clinics bring together specialists including radiation oncologists, surgeons, nurses, dentists, speech language pathologists, and, when needed, medical oncologists and dietitians.
"Because it's a multidisciplinary clinic, it's one appointment for the patient instead of booking several different ones with different specialists," said Mellissa Linke, Manager of Radiation Therapy, Surgical Oncology & Tamarack House.
Having enough rhinolaryngoscopes helps ensure clinics have enough scopes available while others are being sterilized between patients. That helps streamline care.
Thank you for supporting the Health Sciences Foundation through donations, Foundation events, and Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases. Your generosity continues to enhance care for head and neck cancer patients at our Hospital.