Dr. Frank R. Miller- Associate Professor

Head and Neck Surgery Subspecialty

Head and neck oncologic surgery is one of the defined subspecialty areas in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  Over the last thirty years our specialty of Otolaryngology has become the recognized expert in the management of neoplasms (both benign and malignant) that involve the head and neck region.  In the United States a medical student will complete a full Otolaryngology-HNS residency (typically 5 years) and then move on to a fellowship in a defined subspecialty area such as Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. 

Why do a fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery?

The desire to pursue a fellowship in head and neck surgery often arises from the surgical challenge in managing the more advanced head and neck tumors along with the beauty of the complex head and neck anatomy.  Most head and neck fellowships are 1 to 2 years in length (with the second year often being predominantly research).  The completion of a head and neck fellowship will provide one with the expertise to manage complex head and neck neoplasms with an emphasis on squamous cell cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract along with thyroid surgery.  In addition to the surgical oncologic component involved in the fellowship some fellowships also focus on the reconstruction of head and neck defects including microvascular surgery.  Most people who complete a head and neck fellowship work in an academic medical center providing patient care to patients while teaching residents and medical students and pursuing various research interests.

One of the more enjoyable aspects of head and neck surgery lies in the multidisciplinary approach utlilized in head and neck cancer.  Many of the treatment regimens include various combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation.  Given this complex treatment, all patients are presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board which includes head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, dentistry, neuro-radiology, pathology, and speech pathology.  This allows for a team approach and communication that bring about the best patient outcomes.     

Frank R. Miller, MD