Any type of cancer that occurs within the face, neck, or upper airway (nose, mouth, and throat) are considered head and neck cancers. As a group they are rare and thus most often benefit from the expertise of our highly specialized academic center, USF Health.  Our Otolaryngology team has expertise in the comprehensive management of these cancers.  We also offer complex reconstructive surgical procedures meant to improve appearance, quality of life, and function after cancer treatment.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

A variety of treatments are available including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and newer therapies such as immunotherapy.  Due to the complex nature of the head and neck region, a combination of multiple treatments is often necessary.  Our Otolaryngologists have advance training in the surgical treatment of these cancers.  Treatment of head and neck cancers can range from relatively  minimally invasive procedures to complex cancer resections and reconstructions.  Our oncologic surgeries are performed at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), rated one of the top medical centers in the Tampa Bay Region according U.S. News and World Reports.

USF Health and TGH - Head and Neck Cancer Program

Our Head and Neck Cancer program is integrated with the TGH Cancer Center.  Our multi-disciplinary team from a range of departments including surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, speech language pathologists, pathologists, radiologists, and physical therapists care for each of our patients.  

This allows us to create a personalized cancer care plan, selecting the most appropriate course of treatment, aimed not only at promoting a cancer cure but also optimizing post-treatment quality of life.  We will be involved throughout your cancer journey, even if the selected treatment does not require the surgical expertise of our Otolaryngologists. 

In addition to cancer, our surgeons manage a variety of complex conditions, that also arise in the head and neck region. 

• Oral cavity (mouth) cancer 
• Oropharynx (throat) cancer 
• Larynx/hypopharynx (voice box) cancer 
• Nasopharynx cancer 
• Nose, sinus, and skull base cancer 
• Salivary gland cancer 
• Benign head and neck conditions
• Advanced skin cancer

We care for patients with the following benign conditions:   

• Osteomyelitis and osteoradionecrosis of the jaws 
• Cervical (neck) lymph node enlargement 
• Congenital neck cysts and masses 
• Vascular tumors of the head and neck 
• Adult tracheal and airway stenosis (narrowing)

We provide the following treatments:

• Surgical removal of lip, mouth, tongue and throat cancers 
• Mandible (Jaw) removal and reconstruction 
• Trans oral laser surgery for selected head and neck cancers 
• Trans oral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancers 
• Pharyngectomy and laryngectomy 
• Removal of complex skin cancers of the head, face, and neck 
• Maxillectomy and skull base surgery 
• Neck tumor and lymph node removal 
• Advanced microvascular reconstructive surgery