Head & Neck Cancer

The University of Arizona Head and Neck Cancer program is Southern Arizona’s preeminent multi-disciplinary center dedicated solely to the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck.

The UA Head and Neck tumor board is comprised of physicians whose main practice focus is the treatment of head and neck cancer. We are made up of fellowship-trained head and neck surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, radiation oncologists, hematologist-oncologists, radiologists and pathologists that routinely evaluates ten to fifteen new patients a week. Patients are referred from all over the state of Arizona as well as the neighboring states of California, New Mexico and Nevada. We work closely with our patients to deliver individualized treatment plans that leverage the most current and effective treatments and promise the best in survival outcomes.

Team Approach

The Head and Neck Cancer program is led by the only fellowship-trained head and neck oncologists and reconstructive surgeons in Southern Arizona: Drs. Wang, Baker and Bearelly. They have previous training and work experience at the leading cancer centers in the country.

Here at the University of Arizona, they have assembled a dedicated, expert, multidisciplinary team of specialists to deliver the best possible care. That team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neuroradiologists and speech therapists. We offer access to many innovative clinical cancer trials and unique treatments not available elsewhere.

Leading Expertise

Click the portrait or name of any of our affiliated faculty to learn about their leading expertise in the field.

Progressive Treatment

Our state-of-the-art head and neck cancer treatments include laser and robotic surgery for minimally-invasive approaches to tongue, pharynx and larynx cancers; voice rehabilitation surgery; sentinel lymph node biopsy for treatment of skin cancers; and microvascular reconstructive surgery.

We specialize in treating:

  • Neck masses
  • Thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer
  • Parathyroid adenomas
  • Salivary gland masses, including masses of the parotid and submandibular gland
  • Skin cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Lip cancer
  • Mouth cancer, including cancers of the palate, tongue and floor of mouth
  • Jaw cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • Voice box cancer
  • Tonsil cancer
  • HPV-related tumors
  • Sinus and skull base cancer

What Sets Us Apart

Our program is led by the only fellowship-trained head and neck oncologists and reconstructive surgeons in Southern Arizona.

Dr. Wang is one of the few surgeons in Arizona who has received special training and experience in transoral robotic surgery for oral and oropharynx malignancies, allowing quicker recovery and improved functional outcomes compared to conventional surgery. Dr. Baker is one of the highest volume head and neck microvascular surgeons in Arizona, applying state-of-the-art techniques to the most complex and challenging reconstructive cases . Dr. Bearelly performs surgeon-direct ultrasonography to facilitate surgical management of thyroid nodules and sialendoscopy for minimally-invasive management of salivary gland stones.