Head and Neck Surgery

UC Irvine Medical Center provides leading-edge comprehensive care for adults and children affected by cancer of the head and neck. The head and neck surgical oncologists at UC Irvine are Otolaryngologists (ENT physicians) who have received additional specialized training in head and neck oncology and reconstruction.  We provide state of the art multidisciplinary management of patients with head and neck tumors.    

     Select a surgeon »
   
Services

Our head and neck surgeons provide consultative and therapeutic services for cancer of the head and neck. UC Irvine Medical Center surgeons are experts in minimally invasive techniques and tissue-sparing approaches to minimize the trauma of head and neck cancer surgery. They work in close collaboration with our multidisciplinary cancer team at the renowned Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center on the UC Irvine Medical Center campus. More »

Head and neck cancer

Caring for head and neck cancer patients requires a team of healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines. The commitment of a skilled team of surgeons, radiation therapists, medical oncologists, and support staff is required for optimal treatment.  Treatment often involves multiple therapeutic modalities, and requires expertise and coordination.  After treatment, skilled practitioners who can work to rehabilitate speech and swallowing function, and close follow-up to detect early recurrences or second primary tumors is critical.

The Head and Neck Oncology Program at UC Irvine Medical Center is dedicated to meeting these challenges and finding the best curative and palliative solutions for each and every patient. Our multidisciplinary team has advanced training in the latest surgical, radiologic and chemotherapeutic approaches to diagnose and treat head and neck cancer. The team includes board-certified specialists in otolaryngology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology, pathology, anesthesia and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Speech pathologists, dietitians, case managers and social workers provide vital support to the team. The result is leading-edge care delivered in a compassionate environment that values each patient as an individual and respects their needs and desires.

Research and clinical trials

Our physicians are also deeply committed to research. As a university-based medical center, we participate regularly in clinical trials and are considered leaders in new surgical approaches to treat conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat, head and neck.