Head and Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers are a group of diseases involving abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth in head and neck tissues. These include the larynx, pharynx, salivary (parotid) glands, oral and nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses.
This year, over 68,000 people will develop a type of head and neck cancer. More men than women are diagnosed with oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers.
Precise head and neck cancer tests are crucial for treatment planning, and City of Hope is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and specialized staff to ensure an accurate, comprehensive diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
Head and neck cancers are particularly unique and complex, requiring a personalized treatment plan for optimal clinical, quality-of-life and cosmetic outcomes. At City of Hope, our multidisciplinary team of medical experts across different fields — including surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology and supportive care medicine — will review your individual case and determine the best course of therapy.
At City of Hope, head and neck cancer clinicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new therapies for better survival and quality of life post-treatment. Our patients have access to a wide variety of clinical trials, including new chemotherapy and targeted therapies, novel surgical techniques, innovative radiation approaches and new prevention strategies.
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after your head and neck cancer treatment.
Patient Stories
Our Expertise
- Innovative, minimally invasive surgical approaches that reduce discomfort, blood loss and recovery time
- TORS (transoral robotic surgery) and TLM (transoral laser microsurgery) using orally inserted therapy tools, eliminating the need for external incisions, scarring and other complications
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures that can restore appearance and function often performed in the same operation as the cancer removal surgery
- Highly precise radiation delivery that uses advanced imaging technology to guide radiation dose and focus, increasing its cancer-fighting effectiveness while minimizing exposure in normal tissues
- Individually customized chemotherapy, immune therapy and targeted therapy regimens
- Comprehensive rehabilitation program to help restore normal functions (eating, speaking, swallowing) after treatment
Additionally, City of Hope patients have access to our extensive team of supportive care experts, who will help you and your caregivers achieve and maintain a better quality of life during and after your cancer treatment.
City of Hope is a nationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of head and neck cancers. For over a decade, U.S. News & World Report has named City of Hope one of the top cancer hospitals in America.
Our physicians have been consistently named "America's Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly and are active participants in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which sets evidence-based best practices for detecting, evaluating and treating head and neck cancers nationwide.
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
Head and Neck Cancers Care Team
Medical Oncologist
Joel Epstein, D.M.D., M.S.D., is the director of oral health services in the division of head and neck surgery. He is also a dentist and professor of oral medicine.
George Bernard Semeniuk, III, M.D., is a hematologist/oncologist specializing in leukemia, lymphoma and hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Victoria M. Villaflor, M.D., is a medical oncologist and section chief of head & neck medical oncology in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, specializing in cancers of the "aerodigestive" system: head & neck cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and other malignancies.
Radiation Oncologist
Arya Amini, M.D., is a radiation oncologist and associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope.
Bihong (Beth) Chen, M.D., Ph.D., is a radiologist and researcher with a focus in neuroimaging, neuroradiology and body interventional radiology.
Garth Green, M.D., brings nearly 25 years of radiation oncology experience to City of Hope South Bay.
Sean Maroongroge, MD, MBA, is a radiation oncologist and assistant clinical professor at City of Hope’s Duarte and Orange County campuses, where he is involved in many stages of patient care, from tumor detection through treatment and survivorship. He is an expert in treating head and neck
Surgical Oncologist
Thomas J. Gernon, M.D., is an otolaryngologist specializing in the treatment of head and neck cancers, particularly HPV-related malignancies, at City of Hope in Duarte and South Pasadena.
Ellie Maghami, M.D., is a head, neck and thyroid cancer surgeon and The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Endowed Professor in Head and Neck Cancer.
John Yim, M.D., is a breast cancer, thyroid cancer and endocrine disorders surgeon.