As the name of the Department implies, Head and Neck Surgery forms a major part of the specialty. Head and neck surgery deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the upper aero digestive tract including the nose, mouth, throat and voice box as well as cancer that spreads from these cavities to the lymph glands in the neck. Reconstruction of the surgical defect is essential to achieve an acceptable functional and aesthetic outcome.
This sub-specialty has a long track record as being the leader in research in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The second edition of a text book on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, edited by the former Division of Otorhinolaryngology and available in both Chinese and English is a standard reference for researcher and clinicians. Basic science and clinical research in other head and neck cancer continues with active collaboration between the Departments of Surgery and Clinical Oncology.
