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Head & Neck Cancer

Our specialists collaborate across every aspect of your care

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center knows that you need a comprehensive and highly trained team of specialists to offer innovative head and neck cancer care. Our team of head and neck cancer specialists — including oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, dental specialists, speech pathologists and dermatologists — work together each day to treat patients like you. With a wide range of expertise, we don't just rely on existing treatments. Our head and neck cancer doctors continually search for new and improved ways to meet your needs.

National recognition in cancer care

MUSC Health University Medical Center has been recognized as High Performing in Cancer Care in the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. This honor underscores our advanced expertise and dedication to providing patients with innovative treatments and personalized care.

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Learn more about head & neck cancer

Head and neck cancer makes up around 4% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. There are many cancers related to the head and neck. Typically, head and neck cancers are named after the part of the body they affect. These include:

  • Throat cancer: This includes hypopharyngeal (lower throat) cancer, oropharyngeal (middle of the throat) cancer, and nasopharyngeal (upper throat) cancer.
  • Laryngeal cancer: A cancer of the larynx, also known as the voice box.
  • Oral cavity cancer: This includes cancers that begin in the mouth, lips, tongue, gums and cheeks. 
  • Sinonasal cancer: This includes cancers in the nasal cavity or sinuses.
  • Salivary gland cancer: A cancer starting in the glands responsible for creating saliva, including parotid glands, submandibular glands, sublingual glands and the minor salivary glands.
  • Thyroid cancer and benign thyroid tumors: Growths in the thyroid, an endocrine system gland, may be nodules, benign tumors or cancer. 
  • Parapharyngeal space tumors: Rare tumors that develop in the area beside the throat, known as the parapharyngeal space. These tumors are usually benign but could be cancerous.
  • Parathyroid tumors: These tumors are rarely cancerous but can interfere with calcium levels in the blood, leading to fatigue, bone pain, kidney stones and gastrointestinal problems. 
  • Advanced skin cancer: Skin cancers are usually managed by a dermatologist or dermatologist surgeon. However, if they spread extensively, especially if they begin to affect nearby structures or lymph nodes, then the head and neck cancer team will provide its expertise in managing these conditions. 

Have more questions about head and neck cancer? Check out our answers to common questions.

Some of the most common cancers of the head and neck start off in cells called squamous cells. These cells line the mucous membranes on the inside surfaces of your mouth, nose, and throat. If you have neck cancer or head cancer, you may experience any of these related symptoms:

  • Pain when swallowing
  • Pain in your neck or throat that doesn’t go away
  • Swelling in or around your jaw
  • Unusual patches in or around your mouth and tongue
  • Constant pain or ringing in your ears
  • Trouble hearing
  • Trouble breathing or speaking
  • Blocked sinuses that do not clear
  • Constant sinus infections
  • Nose bleeds
  • Swelling in your eyes
  • Pain or paralysis in your face muscles or neck

While the cause of all head and neck cancers isn’t yet known, some risk factors are known. These will vary by the type of cancer:

  • Tobacco use: Smoking, or chewing, tobacco is one of the leading risk factors for developing head and neck cancers. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you are at a much higher risk than those who don’t. Smoking is one of the leading causes of throat cancer. Visit our smoking cessation page to learn more about how we can help you quit.
  • Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing head and neck cancers.
  • Gender: Men are much more likely to develop head and neck cancer. This may be attributed to men being more likely to smoke or chew tobacco.
  • HPV: The number of head and neck cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been on the rise in the last few decades.
  • Age: Most head and neck cancers occur in people over 55, except cancers related to HPV.
  • Diet: There is some evidence linking head and neck cancers to diets relatively low in fruits and vegetables.
  • Genetics: Certain genetic syndromes (fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congentia, multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome) lead to a much higher risk of developing a head and neck cancer.
  • Workplace exposure: Sinonasal cancers may be linked to breathing in certain substances, such as wood dust, leather dust, flour dust, nickel dust or chromium dust.

To lower your risk of developing head and neck cancer:

  • Stop, or never start, using any form of tobacco product. If you need help quitting, Hollings offers smoking cessation services.
  • Limit your alcohol consumption.
  • Protect your children by ensuring they get the HPV vaccine, and talk to your doctor about whether it makes sense for you to get the vaccine. The HPV vaccine works best when given at a young age before exposure to HPV.
  • Get screened. Make sure your dentist or primary care doctor perform routine checks for anything out of the ordinary. If you need further evaluation, our team of specialists has various ways to screen for head and neck cancer, including a comprehensive exam and innovative digitally recorded endoscopic video imaging.
HPV Vaccination

Protect yourself from HPV

The HPV vaccine can prevent six types of cancer in both men and women, including cancers in the back of the throat. The HPV vaccine is typically given to children, but people up to the age of 45 may be eligible. Talk with your doctor for more information.

HPV Vaccination
I can’t control what happens in the future. I have no way of knowing if that cancer is coming back. What I can control is what I do now. I can try and remain healthy and active in the event I have to battle cancer again someday.

Head & neck cancer treatment

With early detection and proper treatment, head and neck cancers are curable. Hollings offers you state-of-the-art treatment close to home. Using the latest advancements, our head and neck cancer specialists at the MUSC Health Wendy and Keith Wellin Head and Neck Clinic will come up with a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan for you.

Head and neck cancer treatment involves a wide range of doctors and specialists to achieve the best outcomes. Your treatment may include some of the following options:

  • Transoral robotic surgery of the mouth, throat and voice box.
  • Minimally invasive surgery for tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, mouth, throat and base of the skull.

  • Tailored radiation sensitizing chemotherapy to help increase treatment success.
  • Immunotherapy to harness your body's own immune system to control advanced head and neck cancers.

Multidisciplinary Support

Head and neck cancers may threaten your vision, speech, hearing, ability to control facial expressions — all key components of your identity and sense of self. To help with these unique challenges, we use a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach to provide care and support during and after your treatment. Our team includes specialists in:

  • Behavioral medicine
  • Financial counseling
  • Head and neck pathology
  • Maxillofacial prosthodontics
  • Neuroradiology
  • Nutrition
  • Oral maxillofacial surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech language pathology

Other support resources include:

Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

The MUSC Health Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Clinic, adjacent to the Wellin Clinic, is seamlessly integrated with our multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team. This includes collaboration with head and neck surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, speech and language pathology, and other support staffs. Our comprehensive approach allows for personalized treatment and optimized outcomes.

Our clinic team creates prosthetic eyes, ears, noses, teeth, jaws, and palates that greatly improve function and quality of life. Additionally, our team specializes in designing and surgically placing endosteal implants used in the rehabilitation of complicated intraoral and facial defects.

Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing

Specialists in voice, speech and swallowing disorders from the MUSC Health Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing work closely with our head and neck cancer surgeons. Using the most advanced techniques, these specialists help you to regain speech and improve swallowing following surgery.

Our head and neck cancer nurse navigators, Savannah A. Zimmerman, MA, BSN, RN, CCTC, and Stacy Stewart, BSN, RN, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have. Our team also includes a nutrition expert, Mary Jo Turner, RD, and a speech-language pathologist, Julie Blair, MA, CCC-SLP, to support you as needed.

Head & neck cancer clinical trials

As South Carolina’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers you clinical trials and treatments that aren’t available anywhere else in the state. These opportunities provide you with access to the latest medications, therapies, and surgical techniques that can improve your outcomes. Many of these cutting edge head and neck cancer clinical trials were developed by Hollings doctors and researchers, and they offer patients with head and neck cancer access to exciting new therapies. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current head and neck cancer clinical trials.

Refer a head & neck cancer patient

To refer a head and neck cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinators SanJuanita "Nita" Foster (for last name A-M) at 843-985-0581 and Michelle Johnson (for last name N-Z) at 843-985-3760.

Head & neck cancer care providers

Accepting New Patients
Jason Newman

Jason Newman, MD, FACS

4.9/5.0 - 76 rating
Specialties
  • Head & Neck Cancer
Locations (1)
  • Charleston, SC
Schedule an Appointment
Accepting New Patients
John Kaczmar

John Kaczmar, MD

4.8/5.0 - 178 rating
Specialties
  • Head & Neck Cancer
  • Medical Oncology
Locations (1)
  • Charleston, SC
Schedule an Appointment
Accepting New Patients
Evan Graboyes

Evan Graboyes, MD, MPH, FACS

Specialties
  • Head & Neck Cancer
Schedule an Appointment
Accepting New Patients
Alexandra Kejner

Alexandra Kejner, MD, FACS

4.8/5.0 - 174 rating
Specialties
  • Head & Neck Cancer
Locations (1)
  • Charleston, SC
Schedule an Appointment
Accepting New Patients
Bhishamjit Chera

Bhishamjit Chera, MD

4.8/5.0 - 152 rating
Specialties
  • Melanoma & Skin Cancer
  • Head & Neck Cancer
Locations (1)
  • Charleston, SC
Schedule an Appointment
Accepting New Patients
William Albergotti

William Albergotti, MD

4.8/5.0 - 232 rating
Specialties
  • Head & Neck Cancer
Schedule an Appointment
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Members of Hollings' head & neck cancer team discuss the benefits of the "Jaw in a Day" procedure, which enables patients to wake up with a full set of teeth after surgery to transplant their jawbone.

Head & neck cancer research

Our Head and Neck Cancer Program has a robust research portfolio with over $4 million annually in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research support. There are 7 NIH-funded basic science, translational, and clinical researchers focused on head and neck cancer. These researchers are studying new targets and therapies to decrease morbidity and mortality from head and neck cancer, identifying molecular signatures to help predict which patients will respond to therapy, developing new care delivery methods to improve quality and access to timely head and neck cancer care, and advancing our ability to rehabilitate head and neck cancer survivors and support their caregivers.

Recent projects include:

In addition, Hollings’ dedicated Head & Neck Transdisciplinary Cancer Team brings together expertise from different disciplines in basic and clinical research for monthly meetings to collaborate on ongoing head and neck cancer research.

Support from start to finish


Patient Services

We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to cancer care. We offer you many resources to help you throughout your cancer journey, including financial counseling, physical therapy, nutrition services, and support groups.
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Head & neck cancer care locations

MUSC Health Wellin Head & Neck Clinic at Rutledge Tower

Address
135 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29425
Get Directions
Hours
Specialties
  • Neurology
Contact
call(843) 792-2300 Schedule an Appointment

MUSC Health ENT at Hollings Cancer Center

Address
86 Jonathan Lucas St
Charleston, SC 29425
Get Directions
Hours
Specialties
  • Head and Neck Cancer
Contact
call(843) 792-2300 Schedule an Appointment

MUSC Health at Tidelands

Address
4040 Highway 17
Suite 306
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Get Directions
Hours
Contact
call(843) 876-1013 Schedule an Appointment
See All Locations

Head & neck cancer survivorship clinic

Comprehensive care beyond cancer

Our Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Clinic is here to support you if you have completed treatment for head and neck cancer or are receiving long-term maintenance therapy for metastatic disease. Our mission is to help you navigate life as a cancer survivor — whether treatment is long behind you or remains ongoing.

This specialized clinic was created to monitor for cancer recurrence and manage long-term side effects of treatment. We welcome all head and neck cancer survivors, with particular focus on those who have undergone laryngectomy, radiation therapy to the head and neck, or complex reconstructive procedures such as flap surgeries.

Your care begins with a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced advanced practice provider. From there, we bring together a team of experts — including speech-language pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, palliative care specialists, behavioral health professionals, and more — to create a personalized plan that supports your recovery, function, and quality of life.

We’re proud to serve patients in Charleston, across South Carolina, and beyond.

Clinic staff

Ashton Getchell, PA-C

Ashton is a dedicated Physician Assistant with a strong passion for providing comprehensive care to head and neck cancer patients throughout their journey — from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Her expertise includes managing the unique challenges of head and neck cancer and post-treatment side effects (dysphagia, dysphonia, osteoradionecrosis, fibrosis, nutritional challenges), while remaining proactive in preventative care to minimize future risks. Ashton takes great pride in offering patient-centered care that not only addresses cancer and treatment-related concerns, but also embraces a holistic approach to support the overall well-being of her patients.

Hours & location

3rd Monday of the month
New patient visits: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Return patient visits: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances.

135 Rutledge Ave, 10th Floor
Charleston, SC 29425

Schedule an appointment or refer a patient

To schedule an appointment, please call 843-792-9300. If you are a referring provider, please call SanJuanita "Nita" Foster at 843-985-0581.

Common questions about head & neck cancer

Have you or a loved one received a head & neck cancer diagnosis? You probably have many questions. There’s a lot of information to take in after a cancer diagnosis. Your doctor can answer questions specific to your care, but we have compiled a list of some of the most common questions for your reference below.

If detected and treated early, cancers of the head and neck can typically be cured.

The survival rate for head and neck cancer can vary depending upon the type of cancer and the stage. Catching a cancer early improves the chance of survival.

If you notice a new lump in your neck or a new sore in your mouth that does not go away over a period of a few weeks, this could be a sign of head and neck cancer. If you develop hoarseness, swallowing difficulties or pain that radiates to your ear, these could all be signs of head and neck cancer. It is best to have these symptoms checked by your doctor.

Squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the oral cavity and pharynx (throat) are the most common cancers of the head and neck.

Squamous cells line the mucous membranes on the inside surfaces of your mouth, nose, and throat. Squamous cell carcinomas are cancers that develop in these cells. This is the most common type of cancer affecting the head and neck.

Latest head & neck cancer news

Cancer Care + Cancer Research
1 in 3 US adults unaware of connection between HPV and cancers
Cancer Care + Research
Illuminating the future: Hollings researcher developing test to predict oral cancer
Cancer Care + Research
Hollings enrolls first patient in new bifunctional antibody cancer trial
See All Hollings News