Head and Neck Cancers Program

The Flex^® Robotic System is a minimally invasive surgical technology that allows surgeons to access hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and throat in order to remove tumors. The flexible endoscope allows surgical oncologists to both view and operate on areas of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx without the need for external incisions. It offers a wide range of benefits, including shorter hospital stays, reduced post-surgical pain and quicker recovery, and is just an example of the comprehensive, innovative care we provide.

At City of Hope Atlanta, our physicians and clinical staff have decades of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of head and neck cancer types, including oral cavity cancers, sinus and salivary gland cancers, laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers, and metastatic neck cancers.

We offer a comprehensive range of services, including:

• State-of-the-art robotic and minimally invasive surgery options, including transoral robotic-assisted surgery and transoral laser microsurgery, which are performed using orally inserted medical instruments and do not require external incisions
• Expertise in both simple and complex head and neck cancers, including large or disfiguring tumors, as well as tumors located near vital organs or structures
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery expertise that can help restore appearance and function after tumor surgery
• A rehabilitation program that helps patients restore function after surgery or other treatment
• Highly targeted radiation therapy options, which minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue
• Personalized drug therapy regimens that often combine chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy options
• Access to a robust national clinical trials program with more than 400 studies enrolling 6,000-plus patients annually
• Survivorship support for all patients
• Supportive care, including dietary and nutritional support, behavioral health services and occupational and physical therapy

Treatment offerings may vary by location.

The head and neck cancers and conditions we treat are wide and varied. They include:

• Oral cavity cancers
• Lip cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Sinus cancers
• Metastatic neck cancers

City of Hope has a longstanding history as a leader in developing and delivering innovative cancer treatments for head and neck cancers, including advanced and metastatic disease. Our research has also led to many groundbreaking therapies that have since become standard of care for head and neck cancers and other malignancies. Some of our distinctions include:

• Nationally recognized leader in head and neck cancers, founded on more than a century of expertise in providing leading-edge treatment for a wide range of life-threatening diseases
• A national network of comprehensive cancer centers and outpatient locations, offering the ability to deliver groundbreaking, often-lifesaving care for patients through collaboration between physicians and experts across the country
• Clinical expertise in all types and stages of head and neck cancer
• Expertise in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery techniques for head and neck cancer, with a team of surgeons who have performed more than 11,000 robotic procedures
• Accelerated access to new therapies, thanks to a bench-to-bedside approach powered by three state-of-the-art, good manufacturing practice- (GMP-)certified facilities
• A robust clinical trials program focused on developing new treatment options for head and neck cancers and other diseases

When you refer a patient to the head and neck cancers program at City of Hope Atlanta, our multidisciplinary team works together to ensure he or she receives the clinical care needed as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Our physician team includes surgeons with specific training and expertise in head and neck cancers, medical and radiation oncologists, and supportive care and rehabilitation specialists. Below are some of the key members of our head and neck cancers team.

City of Hope Atlanta’s head and neck cancers program is home to a multidisciplinary team of head and neck cancer experts who work together to provide evidence-based care that combines research discoveries with leading-edge treatment options. Our physicians, clinicians and support staff collaborate on every case to optimize clinical outcomes. Our program is also:

• Certified by the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program, which is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to quality along nationally approved standards
• Accredited by the College of American Pathologists, including recognition for biorepository services for tissue collection, preparation, sampling and processing at our laboratory, making it one of fewer than 100 such sites in the United States
• Given the 5-star rating for patient experience from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2025)
• Named an Accreditation Program for Excellence^® (APEx) by American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) for providing high-quality and safe radiation care to patients
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology, which evaluates radiation programs on its clinical operations, treatment delivery, patient outcomes and quality assurance