More than 70,000 Americans are diagnosed with head and neck cancers each year. These include cancers of the mouth, lip and tongue, throat and larynx or voice box. Men are nearly three times more likely to develop these diseases than women. Early symptoms may include the discovery of lumps, hoarseness, swelling, numbness, sore throat or trouble moving the jaw or swallowing. The most common risk factors are smoking, chewing smokeless tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption.

Why choose UF Health Jacksonville?

The UF Health Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Program in Jacksonville offers patients cutting-edge technology and the latest surgical procedures in the treatment of head and neck cancers. An interdisciplinary team approach is used to ensure that each patient receives accurate, timely and comprehensive care, with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life.

Video: An oral cancer survivor's story

Head and neck cancer: Our expertise

University of Florida head and neck surgeons are skilled in the resection of complex cancers of the head and neck as well as in the reconstruction of the most challenging defects. We offer the gold standard in reconstruction by having experienced microvascular surgeons devoted to head and neck reconstruction.

UF physicians provide a number of advanced treatment options for various forms of head and neck cancer that include:

• Hypopharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Lip and oral cavity cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer
• Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Skin cancers of the head and neck (melanoma, squamous cell, basal cell, merkel cell)
• Thyroid cancer