Services

The Multidisciplinary Program for Treatment of Diseases of the Head and Neck

Curative management of tumors of the oral cavity, larynx, skull-base, thyroid and parathyroid glands typically requires multimodality therapy that spans not only surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, but also speech and swallowing therapy, skilled nursing, nutritional support, and physical rehabilitation.

The Mount Sinai Hospital has been nationally recognized for the management and reconstruction of head and neck cancer for nearly half a century. In addition to the coordinated expertise of its teams of surgeons, physicians, and support staff, the Multidisciplinary Program for Diseases of the Head and Neck offers innovative clinical trials, while also pursuing basic science research aimed at improving early detection and intervention.

The mission of the program is to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for patients afflicted with head and neck tumors, applying-and continuing to enhance-the most current approaches to:

• Head and neck cancer surgery
• Head and neck reconstructive surgery
• Thyroid and parathyroid surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Radiation oncology
• Medical oncology
• Oral surgery/Dentistry
• Endocrinology
• Speech and language pathology
• Cytopathology and surgical pathology
• Diagnostic and interventional Radiology
• Physical and Occupational rehabilitation
• Nutritional support services

Tumors of the Head and Neck

Mount Sinai's multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team has gained national recognition for its expertise and innovation, particularly in head and neck microvascular reconstruction. The surgical, radiation oncology, and medical oncology experts work closely with the rehabilitation therapists to restore form and function following treatment.

Tumors of the Skull Base

Tumors of the skull base are managed by head and neck, otologic, and neurosurgical teams. Using advanced technology, surgeons apply minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques to achieve complete resections with minimal, or in some cases, no external incisions.

Minimally Invasive Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Tumors of the thyroid and parathyroid are also managed using minimally invasive techniques. Preoperative localization of parathyroid tumors and the use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring allow for ambulatory parathyroidectomy. Procedures can commonly be performed under local anesthesia with same-day discharge, using an incision less than one inch long.