Head and neck cancers

Head and Neck Multispecialty Clinic

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and UW Medical Center provide comprehensive care to patients with head and neck cancers. In the Head and Neck Multispecialty Clinic, a patient’s care begins with a team evaluation that includes a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist  — all UW Medicine physicians who specialize in head and neck cancers.

This team works closely with our Fred Hutch and UW Medicine radiologists, pathologists, reconstructive surgeons, dental surgeons, neuroradiologists, dieticians, speech and swallowing pathologists, physical therapists and social workers to ensure true collaboration and understanding of the patient’s goals of care.

Medical oncologist A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist is often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists. Oncologist A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment, such as treating cancer with radiation. A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. For example, a radiation oncologist specializes in treating cancer with radiation. Pathologist A physician who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. Radiologist A physician who has special training in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are made with X-rays, sound waves or other types of energy.
Head and Neck Multispecialty Clinic Team
Meet the Team (from left to right): Jay Liao, MD, Cristina Rodriguez, MD, Upendra Parvathaneni, MD FRANCR, Brittany Barber, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Neal Futran, MD, DMD, Emily Marchiano, MD. Not pictured: Neil Panjwani, MD

To Request An Appointment

phone (206) 606-1062
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Meet the team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease.

Brittany Barber, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Brittany Barber, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. Barber is a surgical oncologist with Fred Hutch and UW Medical Center. She joined the department in 2018 and specializes in head and neck, thyroid, salivary and endocrine surgery, robotic surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Neal Futran, MD, DMD
Neal Futran, MD, DMD

Dr. Futran is Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at UW Medical Center, and Director of Head and Neck Surgery. He has been with the department since 1995 and specializes in head and neck oncology, microvascular reconstruction and the rehabilitation of patients with trauma and complex oncologic issues.

Jay Liao, MD
Jay Liao, MD

Dr. Liao is a radiation oncologist with Fred Hutch and UW Medical Center. He joined the department in 2007 and specializes in radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. His expertise includes all types of radiation treatments including X-ray treatment, proton beam radiation and neutron therapy.

Emily Marchiano, MD
Emily Marchiano, MD

Dr. Marchiano is an otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with Fred Hutch and UW Medical Center. She joined the department in 2021 after completing her fellowship at the University of Washington. She specializes in head and neck cancer, endocrine, salivary and cutaneous malignancies, robotic surgery and reconstructive surgery. 

Neil Panjwani, MD
Neil Panjwani, MD

Dr. Panjwani is a radiation oncologist with Fred Hutch and the University of Washington Medical Center with expertise in head and neck and gynecological cancers. He joined the department in 2022 and his research focuses on the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in radiation oncology.

Upendra Parvathaneni, MD, FRANCR
Upendra Parvathaneni, MD, FRANCR

Dr. Parvathaneni is a radiation oncologist with Fred Hutch and UW Medical Center. He joined the department in 2006 and his expertise includes all types of radiation modalities, standard x-ray treatments, proton therapy and neutron therapy.

Cristina Rodriguez, MD
Cristina Rodriguez, MD

Dr. Rodriguez is a medical oncologist with Fred Hutch and UW Medical Center as well as a Professor of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch. She joined the department in 2013, specializes in head and neck cancer, oral, thyroid and salivary gland cancer and conducts clinical trials focused on targeted therapies.