Advanced head and neck surgical care
At SunState Medical Specialists, we provide specialized treatment for conditions affecting the head, neck, mouth, throat, glands, and sinuses, including both benign and malignant tumors and thyroid disorders.
There are several factors to consider when treating head and neck cancers. Dr. Larson talks about those factors, treatment options, and advancements in technology, including minimally invasive surgery. For every patient we treat, our focus is on providing personalized care for the best possible patient outcomes.
Conditions we treat
Oral cavity cancers
Cancer of the oral cavity includes the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, the teeth, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth below the tongue, the bony roof of the mouth (hard palate), and the area behind the wisdom teeth.1
Oropharyngeal cancers
Oropharyngeal cancer is cancer in your oropharynx, the middle section of your throat (pharynx) that makes saliva, keeps your mouth and throat moist, and helps you digest food.2
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer starts as a growth of cells in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat and sits behind the nose. Nasopharyngeal cancer is rare in the United States. It happens much more often in other parts of the world, mainly Southeast Asia.3
Laryngeal cancers
Laryngeal cancer is an overgrowth of cells in the larynx, part of your throat. Your larynx helps you speak, breathe, and swallow and contains your vocal cords.4
Hypopharyngeal cancers
Hypopharyngeal cancer is an abnormal growth of cancer cells in a region of the lower throat known as the hypopharynx. The hypopharynx lies within the lower neck and throat behind the voice box just above the inlet to the esophagus.5
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers start in the head and neck area. Cancer that starts in the nasal cavity (the opening behind the nose) is called nasal cavity cancer. Cancer that starts in the paranasal sinuses (air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose) is called paranasal sinus cancer. These cancers start when cells in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus grow out of control and crowd out normal cells.6
Salivary gland cancers
Salivary gland cancer is a term used to describe malignant tumors that affect your salivary glands. Your salivary glands are located in your mouth and throat. They produce saliva — or spit — that helps your digestive system begin breaking down food. Salivary gland tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Both types may affect any of your salivary glands.7
Parathyroid cancer is a rare form of endocrine gland cancer that develops in the parathyroid glands. It is estimated that less than 100 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with parathyroid cancer each year. Benign (noncancerous) tumors of the parathyroid gland are much more common than parathyroid cancers.
Thyroid goiters are when the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, is larger than normal. When the thyroid is enlarged, it can impact the hormones that play a role in maintaining metabolism, body temperature, digestion, heart rate, and mood. Roughly 5% of people in the United States have a thyroid goiter.
Hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid, is when the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This can increase your body’s metabolism and lead to certain health conditions such as rapid and unexpected weight loss, as well as an irregular heartbeat.
Thyroid nodules are small, solid, or fluid-filled lumps found in your thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. While most thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), roughly 5% to 15% of them can be cancerous.
Hyperparathyroidism occurs when the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels. About 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon condition in which the body produces abnormally low levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). parathyroid hormone. The low production of PTH in hypoparathyroidism leads to abnormally low calcium levels in the blood and an increase of phosphorus in the blood.8
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Meet our expert physician
Dr. Scott Larson, Head and Neck Surgeon
Scott Larson, MD, Otolaryngologist at Head & Neck Surgical Cancer Specialists of SW Florida, has undergone extensive training to offer TORS and recently performed the first TORS procedure in Southwest Florida.
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- American Cancer Society, What Are Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers?
- Clevenland Clinic, Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Mayo Clinic, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Cleveland Clinic, Laryngeal Cancer
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Hypopharyngeal Cancer
- American Cancer Society, Nasal Cavity or Paranasal Sinus Cancer
- Cleveland Clinic, Salivary Gland Cancer
- Mayo Clinic, Hypoparathyroidism
- American Cancer Society, Surgery for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer
- American Cancer Society, Surgery for Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancers
- American Cancer Society, Surgery for Salivary Gland Cancer
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Laryngectomy Surgery
- Providence.org, Pharyngectomy
- National Health Service (UK), Tracheostomy
- Mayo Clinic, Esophagectomy
- Barrow Neurological Institute, head and neck cancer surgery
- Head & Neck Cancer (AUS), Oropharyngectomy
- National Library of Medicine, Transoral Robotic Surgery
- Cleveland Clinic, Glossectomy