Head and Neck Surgery

The doctors in Wayne Health’s division of Head and Neck Surgery are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the head and neck. Physicians are board-certified Otolaryngologists who have years of experience in the management and rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients.

Working with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, our physicians evaluate new patients, review their reports and tests, and discuss their diagnosis and treatment at a Tumor Board meeting at either Karmanos Cancer Institute or Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn, to reach consensus on a treatment approach.

We are skilled in the latest treatment methods, including endoscopic and robotic procedures that are less invasive and help shorten recovery time. Many of our patients are evaluated and treated at Karmanos Cancer Institute or another of our affiliated hospital locations.

Our primary focus is on providing outstanding patient care. Our physicians believe it is important for patients to play an active role in their diagnosis and treatment.

• Cancers of mouth, throat or voice box
• Benign tumors of the head and neck
• Cancer of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx
• Thyroid cancer, benign thyroid tumors, goiter, parathyroid tumorsHead and neck sarcomas
• Skull base and sinus tumors
• Vascular tumors
• Paragangliomas Carotid body tumor
• Lymphomas
• Facial Trauma
• Airway Obstruction and Tracheotomy
• Airway stenosis
• Vocal Cord Paralysis

Head and neck cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells that usually starts in the mouth, nose, or throat area. These cancers can spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, or to distant areas of the body. Most head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco or alcohol use or infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).

Treatment for head and neck cancer depends on what type of cancer you have and how far it has spread. You may need surgery to remove the cancer. You also may take medicines (chemotherapy) or get radiation treatments to kill the cancer cells, or you may need all three treatments.

Cancer treatments can make you feel very tired and sick to your stomach and may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Treatments can also make it hard to chew, swallow, or even talk. Your care team can help. Your doctor may also have you work with a dietitian or a speech and swallowing therapist.

People with head and neck cancer often experience the following symptoms or signs. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom or sign on this list, please talk to your doctor. Early detection significantly increases success rates for head and neck cancer.

• Swelling or sore that does not heal (the most common symptom)
• Red or white patch in the mouth
• Lump, bump, or mass in the head or neck area (with or without pain)
• Persistent sore throat
• Foul mouth odor not explained by hygiene
• Hoarseness or change in voice
• Nasal obstruction or persistent nasal congestion
• Frequent nose bleeds and/or unusual nasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
• Double vision
• Numbness or weakness of a body part in the head and neck region
• Pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaws or tongue
• Ear and/or jaw pain
• Blood in the saliva or phlegm (mucus discharged in the mouth from respiratory passages)
• Loosening of teeth
• Dentures that no longer fit
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

Oral Cancer

Your dentist or doctor may look closely at your lips, mouth, or throat to check for signs of oral cancer. Other tests may be needed if there are possible signs of cancer. These tests may include a biopsy, an X-ray, or an MRI

How is Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your and your family’s medical history and will do a physical exam. You may also get:

• A complete blood count, to check the number of white and red blood cells.
• A chest X-ray.
• A biopsy. The doctor may remove part or all of a lymph node to check for cancer. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if you have the cancer.
• A PET scan, a CT scan, or a PET-CT scan.
• A bone marrow biopsy.

Physicians and researchers at Wayne Health are also faculty members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine who conduct research and clinical studies. This makes the latest treatments and clinical trials available to you sooner than other health providers without a medical school affiliation.

As a world leader in head and neck cancer, our physicians participate in numerous clinical trials on the detection and treatment of head and neck cancer.

For more information, please visit the links below at the WSU School of Medicine.