Head & Neck Cancer Program
Our Team & Approach
Our Head & Neck Program specialists care for patients with head and neck cancer using a multidisciplinary, team-based approach. We prioritize quality of life as a primary measure of success.
Pacific Head & Neck is a specialty practice embedded in our center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) where all of our surgeons have extensive training and experience to provide complex care for patients with head and neck cancers.
Patient Centered Decision Making for Head & Neck Cancers
Our specialists treat cancer affecting internal and external areas of the head and neck from the collar bone to the base of the brain. Tumors that develop in the mouth, tongue, throat, or skull base can be very complex affecting delicate areas of the head and neck. Surgery is sometimes a good option, and in other cases chemotherapy and radiation might be considered better. We advocate for shared decision making with our patients to ensure an individualized treatment plan that aims for optimal outcomes.
Head & Neck Cancer Conditions We Treat
Our team of experts handle complex head and neck tumors offering a personalized approach that puts patient’s needs first. We offer a comprehensive care for benign and malignant head and neck tumors, including HPV-related, sinus and skull base, orbital, skin, oral cavity, and throat. We have special interest in thyroid and parathyroid disease.
General Categories
- Cancer of the Larynx
- Cancer of the Mouth
- Cancer of the Nose & Sinus
- Neck Dissection For Cancerous Lymph Nodes
- Neck Masses
- Parotid & Gland Tumors
- Skin Cancer
- Thyroid & Parathyroid
- Tumors of the Ear and Temporal Bone
- Vocal Cord Lesions
Conditions
- Parotid tumor
- Salivary cancer
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- Acinic cell carcinoma
- Pleomorphic adenoma
- Perineural tumor spread
- Oral cavity cancer (squamous cell carcinoma)
- Tonsil cancer (HPV related)
- Base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma
- Transoral robotic surgery
- Larynx cancer
- Sinus cancer
- Transoral laser surgery
- Tongue cancer
- Buccal carcinoma
- Mucosal melanoma
- Oral leukoplakia
- Severe dysplasia oral cavity
- Olfactory neuroblastoma
- Head and neck cancer
- Head and neck sarcoma
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma
Head & Neck Cancer Treatment & Services
We specialize in minimally-invasive surgery, state-of-the-art reconstruction to complex cancer care. We utilize the latest technologies with image-guided surgery, intra-operative nerve monitoring, and virtual surgical planning.
Surgical Oncology
- Transoral robotic and laser surgery
- Thyroid and parathyroid care
- Salivary gland surgery with facial nerve monitoring
- Evaluation of suspicious lesions
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted agents
- Repair of skin cancer excision (MOHS)
Facial Plastics and Reconstruction
- Microvascular free tissue transfer (bone and soft tissue reconstruction)
- Reanimation for facial paralysis
- Aesthetic and functional reconstructive surgery
Rehabilitation and Psycho-oncology
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) services
- Speech and swallowing
- Psychosocial support
- Audiology
Clinical Trials
We work closely with the Saint John’s Cancer Institute to provide collaborative and personalized cancer treatment, and offer clinical trials and immunotherapy for advanced tumors affecting the head and neck.
Clinic Locations
Pacific Neuroscience Institute – Santa Monica
2125 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-829-8701 | Fax: 310-315-4062
Pacific Neuroscience Institute – South Bay
5215 Torrance Blvd. #300 Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: 424-212-5361 | Fax: 310-316-3466
Our Head & Neck Cancer Team
Meet Our Head & Neck Cancer Specialists
Meet Dr. Griffiths
Meet Dr. Amit Kochhar
Meet Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh
Meet Dr. David Butler
Meet Dr. Gowrinathan
In-Person or Virtual Video Visit
Our specialists have consultation openings for new patients.