Baran Sumer, M.D. Answers Questions On: Complex Head and Neck Cancer Surgery

Dr. Sumer is a Dallas head and neck cancer surgeon and otolaryngologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in head and neck cancer surgery and reconstruction, transoral robotic surgery, transoral laser surgery, surgical treatment of head and neck cancers, benign head and neck conditions, medical treatment planning for head and neck cancer, and skull base surgery. He is Professor and Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology at UT Southwestern and Director of the Head and Neck Oncology Disease Oriented Team at Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Yes. Dr. Sumer has a special focus on transoral robotic surgery, also called TORS, and transoral laser procedures for selected head and neck cancers. These minimally invasive approaches can allow surgeons to reach certain tumors through the mouth, avoiding external incisions in some cases. Dr. Sumer made medical history in North Texas as the first surgeon in the region to perform a TORS procedure to remove a throat malignancy.

Patients may seek consultation with Dr. Sumer for suspected or confirmed head and neck cancer, throat cancer, complex neck masses, tumors requiring head and neck reconstruction, skull base conditions, or evaluation for minimally invasive approaches such as TORS or transoral laser surgery. Patients who want a second opinion about surgery, reconstruction, speech preservation, swallowing preservation, or multidisciplinary cancer treatment planning may also benefit from evaluation by a specialized head and neck oncology team.

Dr. Sumer provides surgical and multidisciplinary care for head and neck cancers, including evaluation for minimally invasive robotic and laser surgery, surgical treatment of head and neck tumors, reconstruction after cancer surgery, and skull base surgery. At UT Southwestern, his care is integrated with a multidisciplinary team that may include surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, reconstructive surgery, speech and swallowing therapy, oral surgery, nutrition, rehabilitation, and supportive care.

Head and neck cancers can affect breathing, swallowing, speech, appearance, and quality of life. Dr. Sumer leads a UT Southwestern team focused on advanced head and neck cancer treatment, including minimally invasive surgical techniques, transoral robotic surgery, transoral laser surgery, reconstruction, and coordinated multidisciplinary care. His profile also notes recognition by D Magazine among the best otolaryngology physicians in North Texas.

For an efficient referral, physicians should send the diagnosis or clinical concern, pathology reports, biopsy results, operative notes if applicable, prior treatment history, imaging studies such as CT, MRI, or PET/CT, radiation and chemotherapy records, current medications, airway or swallowing concerns, and the specific consult question. Appropriate referral reasons include evaluation for head and neck cancer surgery, TORS, transoral laser surgery, skull base surgery, reconstruction, recurrent disease, unknown primary tumors, and second-opinion treatment planning.

Yes. Dr. Sumer’s research includes cancer imaging, image-guided surgery, nanotechnology, cancer metabolism, and cancer immunotherapy. He works in fluorescent imaging, biosensing, hyperspectral imaging, photodynamic therapy, and image-guided surgery, including research on fluorescent labeling of head and neck cancers undergoing robotic surgery.