Head and Neck Cancer Doctors, Surgeons & Other Experts
Overview
Your care team will include head and neck cancer doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. They’ll use only the latest treatments. They’ll support you during and after your care.
MSK has head and neck cancer experts in:
- Mouth (oral) cancer.
- Nasal cavity and sinus cancer.
- Salivary gland cancer.
- Throat cancer.
- Thyroid cancer.
- Tongue cancer.
- Primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid tumors.
Your care team will meet regularly to talk about your treatment. You’ll have a wide range of experts on your team. They’ll give you the best possible treatment and care.
Head and neck cancer treatment team
Your MSK care team will diagnose the head and neck cancer type, stage, and genetic mutations (changes) that caused the cancer.
Next, you’ll work with a treatment team led by 1 or more doctors who are experts in the type of head and neck cancer you have. At MSK, your treatment team has many experts, such as a:
- Medical oncologist (cancer doctor).
- Surgical oncologist (surgeon who treats cancer).
- Radiation oncologist (doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer).
Each member of your team has a special set of skills. They all work together to make a plan that will lead to the best possible results for you.
A head and neck surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the head and neck. This includes the tonsils, tongue, mouth, lips, larynx, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid gland.
A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer.
A head and neck medical oncologist is a cancer doctor who specializes in head and neck cancers. This includes cancers of the tonsils, tongue, mouth, lips, larynx, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, and thyroid gland.
A dental oncologist is a general dentist with special training in managing oral problems from cancer, treating cancer, or both.
A maxillofacial (max-ill-o-FAY-shul) prosthodontist (pros-thoh-DON-tist) is a dentist with special training in treating problems of the face, jaw, and nearby soft tissue. They’re trained in making a prothesis (pros-THEE-sis), an artificial (man-made) piece that replaces a body part. It’s also called a prosthetic.
An oral and maxillofacial (max-ill-o-FAY-shul) surgeon is a doctor with special training in treating many problems and injuries that affect the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face.
An endocrinologist (EN-doh-krih-NAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in endocrine problems. These disorders affect glands and organs that make hormones. They include diabetes, infertility, and thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary gland problems.
A neurosurgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord or spine, and nerves).
A plastic and reconstructive surgeon is a doctor with special training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. These procedures restore function and appearance.
MSK has experts in more than 400 cancers. People cared for at MSK and other expert cancer centers regularly do better than at community hospitals. MSK offers clinical trials that test new treatments, often not available elsewhere. We have one of the country’s largest cancer clinical trials programs.
Head and neck cancer diagnostic team
At MSK, head and neck cancer treatment starts with the correct diagnosis.
Your diagnostic team is responsible for identifying the type, location, and stage of the head and neck cancer. To make a diagnosis, we use tests such as an endoscopy procedure, X-rays, CT scans, a biopsy, or genomic testing. Once we have this information, we share it with your treatment team to find the best care plan for you.
Nurse practitioner Yingzhi Wu (left) consults with medical oncologist Dr. Lara A. Dunn.
A radiologist is a doctor with training in using imaging to diagnose and treat disease. Imaging includes X-rays, sonography, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to make a diagnosis from cell and tissue samples. They analyze the samples to learn more about a health condition, such as cancer.
Head and neck cancer support team
To us, you’re more than a diagnosis. You’re a person with a life beyond cancer. We want to help you get back to it.
That’s why your MSK care team includes experts who focus on helping you and your family face challenges. There will be hurdles that come up while you’re in our care, and after active treatment ends. We’re here to support you.
A social worker is a healthcare provider with special training in helping people cope with problems in their lives. They support your emotional health by providing counseling and practical help.