Luc G. T. Morris, MD, MSc

Pictured: Luc G. T. Morris

I am a surgical oncologist specializing in tumors of the head and neck, both benign and malignant. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, our head and neck team includes more than 40 leading specialists. All of us have dedicated our careers to helping patients with head and neck diseases. I work closely with superb experts in radiation and chemotherapy, endocrinology, imaging, pathology, dentistry, and speech and swallowing rehabilitation. My responsibility is to lead your treatment team, and develop the most-effective strategy possible.

I decided to become a head and neck surgeon in medical school, when I began to realize how surgery can improve the lives of many patients — not only when we pursue cure of cancer, but also when we improve quality of life. For certain tumors, I perform minimally invasive surgery using endoscopic techniques, which improves outcomes and speeds recovery. Recognizing that every person is unique, my patients and I develop a customized plan of treatment together.

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Personalizing cancer treatment on a broad scale is the goal of my research. As part of a cancer genetics laboratory group in Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, I am studying the head and neck cancer genome, discovering new genes that drive these cancers and affect the success of treatment. In addition to my medical degree, I also earned a graduate degree in biostatistics, to help bridge the gap between laboratory results and clinical trials. Ultimately, our research seeks to empower doctors and patients to select a course of treatment that is tailored to every patient’s unique situation.

Location

New York City

Appointments for New Patients

646-497-9161

Phone

212-639-3049

Clinical Expertise

Head and Neck Surgery/Oncology; Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery’ cancers of the Oral Cavity (mouth), Pharynx (throat), Larynx (voice box), esophagus, Trachea, Parotid and Salivary Glands, Nose, Sinus and Skull Base; Skin Cancers; Melanoma; Tumors of the ear Canal and Temporal Bone; Minimally Invasive Transoral Surgery of the Larynx and Pharynx.; Benign and Malignant Tracheal Disease; Tracheal Stenosis; Subglottic Stenosis

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, New York University School of Medicine; MSc, Columbia University

Residencies

NYU Medical Center

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery

See My Colleagues in:

Department of Surgery›Head and Neck Service

Publications by Luc G. T. Morris

Visit PubMed for full listing of Luc G. T. Morris journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

benign (beh-NINE)

Not cancerous. Benign tumors may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body. Also called nonmalignant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

biostatistics (BY-oh-stuh-TIS-tix)

The science of collecting and analyzing biologic or health data using statistical methods. Biostatistics may be used to help learn the possible causes of a cancer or how often a cancer occurs in a certain group of people. Also called biometrics and biometry.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cavity (KA-vih-tee)

A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cure (kyoor)

To heal or restore health; a treatment to restore health.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus)

The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetics (jeh-NEH-tix)

The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genome (JEE-nome)

The complete genetic material of an organism.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

head and neck cancer (... KAN-ser)

Cancer that arises in the head or neck region (in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx [voice box]).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

imaging (IH-muh-jing)

In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as x-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves), and radio waves.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

larynx (LAYR-inx)

The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called voice box.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)

Cancerous. Malignant cells can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncologist (on-KAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oral (OR-ul)

By or having to do with the mouth.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pharynx (FAYR-inx)

The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The pharynx is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called throat.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

quality of life (KWAH-lih-tee ... life)

The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out various activities.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

radiation (RAY-dee-AY-shun)

Energy released in the form of particle or electromagnetic waves. Common sources of radiation include radon gas, cosmic rays from outer space, medical x-rays, and energy given off by a radioisotope (unstable form of a chemical element that releases radiation as it breaks down and becomes more stable).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

rehabilitation (REE-huh-BIH-lih-TAY-shun)

In medicine, a process to restore mental and/or physical abilities lost to injury or disease, in order to function in a normal or near-normal way.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

sinus (SY-nus)

A cavity, space, or channel in the body. Examples include hollow spaces in the bones at the front of the skull, and channels for blood and lymph. Sinuses may also be found in the heart, brain, and other organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgeon (SER-jun)

A doctor who removes or repairs a part of the body by operating on the patient.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

thyroid (THY-royd)

A gland located beneath the larynx (voice box) that makes thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The thyroid helps regulate growth and metabolism. Also called thyroid gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

trachea (TRAY-kee-uh)

The airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs). Also called windpipe.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

View Luc G. T. Morris's laboratory research.