Head and Neck Cancer Program

Head and Neck Cancer Program
2340 Clay St., 2nd Floor.
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-600-3800
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The Head and Neck Cancer Program offers access to some of the most up-to-date cancer treatments and innovative care available. The Program provides diagnostics and staging, as well as, treatment for cutaneous malignancy, particularly melanoma of the head and neck. Mark I. Singer M.D., FACS, the Program's director is renowned for his extensive knowledge, research and teaching in otolaryngology and head and neck melanomas.

Head & Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, throat, larynx, and neck lymph nodes. These cancers can affect speech, appearance, swallowing and breathing. Annually, nearly 1.4 million Americas are diagnosed with cancer. Although head and neck cancers represent only about 4% of diagnosed cancer cases and are treatable, disfigurement and loss of basic functions can be devastating. Working with a patient-centered cancer team who addresses treatment, reconstruction, and rehabilitation provides patients the peace of mind, knowing that healing their cancer is just the first step to recovery. Returning patients to their full potential with a natural appearance is our ultimate goal.

Head and Neck Melanoma

Over the past decade there has been a substantial increase in head and neck melanoma attributed largely to an increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and earlier recognition. The skin of the head and neck is exposed on a daily basis making this area of the body vulnerable to melanoma. People with fair or red hair, blue eyes, and light-colored skin who burn easily in the sun are at higher risk for developing melanoma. However, it has been estimated that one of every 75 persons born after the year 2000 will develop melanoma at some point in their life. Melanoma is less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, but it is far more serious. Nearly 30% of melanomas occur in the head and neck area and, as with most cancers, early detection and treatment result in optimal long-term outcomes.

Leading-edge Diagnostic Tools

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: sentinel lymph nodes, identified through lymphoscintography, are removed by the surgeon and examined in the pathology lab for the presence of cancer cells. This biopsy is performed based on the theory that cancer cells spread or metastasize in an orderly fashion away from the primary tumor to the sentinel lymph nodes and then further into other nearby lymph nodes. A negative biopsy result implies that the cancer has not spread into the lymph system; a positive test indicates the cancer has spread. Sentinel node biopsy provides oncology surgeons more precise cancer staging.

Lymphoscintography: is a nuclear medicine scan of the lymphatic system used to identify sentinel lymph nodes. A small amount of radioactive dye is injected in the skin near the melanoma. As the dye moves through the lymphatic system the sentinel lymph glands absorb the dye and can be easily identified and removed in the operating room.

PET/CT Imaging: housed within the Nuclear Medicine Department, the PET/CT scanner electronically fuses positron emission tomography (PET) scans with computed tomography (CT) images. PET scans show how the body metabolizes a low dose of radioactively-labeled glucose. Since malignant tumors use more glucose than normal tissue or benign tumors, PET scanning has become the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing and staging cancers. CT scanning provides clear anatomical views of the body's internal structure. When PET images are combined with images obtained with a 64-slice CT, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the body's inner structures is produced.

Micro-reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Micro-reconstructive surgeons use an operating microscope to rebuild tissue and reconnect blood vessels and nerves in the head and neck area. Vessels and nerves in these areas of the body are so small that the help of a surgical microscope is necessary to place the sutures in the walls of the blood vessels and nerve coverings. Micro-reconstructive surgeons are expert at rebuilding excised diseased tissue from autologous healthy tissue harvested from remote areas of the body.

Some of the world's foremost specialists in reconstructive, replantation, and transplantation microsurgery for fingers, hands, extremities, and facial parts practice at California Pacific. Since its inception in 1970, the Microsurgery Service has performed thousands of amazing reconstructive procedures, giving new hope to patients.


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