The Institute’s Head and Neck Cancer Program uses a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosing and treating malignancies arising in the head and neck, including the mouth and throat. Its goal is to provide state-of-the-science care for each patient.

Members convene weekly on Monday, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. to evaluate new patients referred to the Institute for second opinions or care. Team members review patients’ cases, X-rays and pathology slides on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Qualifications of Members
  
The Institute assembled a team of head and neck malignancy experts that makes its program among the finest in the nation. Included are nationally recognized experts in the treatment of head and neck malignancies and experts from national cooperative oncology research groups, such as the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).

Members represent the departments of medical oncology, head & neck surgery, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, speech/swallow therapy, dental/oral oncology and oral maxillofacial prosthetics.

Several members chair, or formerly chaired, the Head and Neck and Surgical committees and subcommittees. Members of the Head and Neck Oncology have defined concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for adjuvant surgical therapy and nasopharyngeal, unresectable and laryngeal cancers. These members are also leaders in gene therapy and rehabilitation for head and neck cancers.

Team members are well published on every aspect of the area, serving as authors and editors of books, chapters and leading articles on head and neck malignancies. They are actively involved in clinical research in head and neck malignancies as integral members of our National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Team Members

Ho-Sheng Lin, M.D., (Team Leader), Head and Neck Surgery
Hussein Aoun, M.D., Radiology
Michael Carron, M.D., Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
James Dworkin, Ph.D., Speech-Swallow Therapy
John Ensley, M.D., Medical Oncology
Adam Folbe, M.D., M.S., Head and Neck Surgery, Minimally Invasive
Kaleford Hong, M.D., Radiology
John Jacobs, M.D., Head and Neck Surgery
Harold Kim, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Karl Kish, M.D., Radiology
Fulvio Lonardo, M.D.,  Pathology
Mark Marunick, D.D.S., Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Robert Mathog, M.D., Head and Neck Surgery
Lynne Moseley, D.D.S., Oral Oncology/Dental
Michael Petrich, M.D., Radiology
Natasha Robinette, M.D., Neuroradiology
Wael A Sakr, M.D., Pathology
Mark Simpson, Ph.D., Speech-Swallow Therapy
Ammar Sukari, M.D., Medical Oncology
Paul Tranchida, M.D., Pathology
George Yoo, M.D.,  Head and Neck Surgery
Imad Zak, M.D., Radiology
Giancarlo Zuliani, M.D., Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery

Carrie Black, RN, MDT Coordinator
Courtney French, Physician Assistant
Ann Krul, Physician Assistant

The team also includes representatives from the Institute's Clinical Trials Office.

Clinical Trials

When appropriate, patients will be given the opportunity to participate in a number of national and local clinical research trials. The spectrum of investigations include combined modality treatments for locally advanced cancers of the head and neck, clinical trials of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy, novel radiation therapy approaches, such as intensive modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), gamma knife radiation therapy and studies of gene therapy.

Patient Participation

The Institute’s Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Oncology Team is most beneficial to:

• Patients with previously untreated local-regional cancers of the head and neck, proven or suspected;
• Patients who have undergone treatment for malignancies of the head and neck; and
• Any patient with cancer of the head and neck who specifically requests being seen by the multidisciplinary team at the Institute to initiate treatment or for a second opinion.

On Appointment Day

Each patient receives personal attention from the Institute’s Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Oncology Team staff and appropriate team member. A team physician evaluates the patient, reviews all records, and presents patient’s records, X-rays and pathology slides to the team.

After the team conference, this physician shares the team’s recommendations with the patient and family members the same day. Expedited appointments are available for tests and procedures that are required before a final recommendation may be made. Expedited consultations with additional team members (for example, surgeon or radiation therapist) are also available.

Appointments
 
Referring physicians or patients may call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266). A specially trained program coordinator answers questions and schedules appointments. Patients should bring the following to their appointments:

• Medical records from recent care provided at another medical facility;
• Head and neck X-rays, CAT scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and brain, bone scans, and whole body PET scan films and reports, if available;
• Pathology slides and reports; and
• Any recent blood tests; and EKG report.

The Institute’s Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Oncology Team program is located at 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan. Valet parking and ample security are provided.