Head and Neck Cancer: Screening and a New Treatment May Save Your Life

At Lee Health Cancer Institute, ground-breaking medical technology is bringing hope and restoring quality of life for patients with oral and throat cancer.

Sanibel resident Stu Barton experienced these benefits firsthand when head and neck cancer surgeon Dr. Scott Larson successfully treated him for oropharyngeal (throat) cancer using transoral robotic surgery (TORS) at Gulf Coast Medical Center last November.

TORS represents a significant advancement in the treatment of people like Stu diagnosed with throat cancer. This safe, minimally invasive option for early-detected oropharyngeal cancers allows surgeons to access hard-to-reach areas in the throat to remove cancer.

In Stu's case, TORS allowed him to recover without undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. His journey with throat cancer and his successful treatment are key messages of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month: early detection and innovative treatments for this potentially life-threatening disease can save your life.

Why head and neck screening matters

Head and neck cancers like oral cancer can develop with subtle symptoms that are easy to miss, according to Dr. Larson. Although there isn't a standard screening, many early-stage precancers and cancers are detectable during routine oral exams or self-exams.

Oral cancer, which affects the mouth and related areas, is a type of head and neck cancer, encompassing cancers that originate in the mouth, throat, and other structures in that region.

READ: Check yourself: 6 steps to self-check for oral cancer

"If you have a sore or spot in your mouth, or bleeding from it that lasts for more than a few weeks, you should have it checked out," advises Dr. Larson, a fellowship-trained otolaryngologist (a head and neck surgeon who specializes in the surgical management of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck).  "Early detection is crucial because when oral and throat cancer are caught in early stages, the prognosis improves significantly. If caught early, surgery alone may be enough."

According to the National Cancer Foundation, over 55,000 Americans will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer this year. Most of these cases are preventable. 

Stu’s journey begins

In May 2024, Stu's life took an unexpected turn when his wife noticed he had a lump on the left side of his neck. Acting quickly, they sought medical attention, a decision which led him to Dr. Larson, who diagnosed him with oropharyngeal (throat) cancer after confirmation by biopsy.

"Hearing that it was cancer changes your life a little bit,” Stu says with a touch of irony. “Dr. Larson spent some quality time giving us our options as far as towards surgery.”

After his diagnosis, Stu, a model of self-advocacy regarding his health, immediately adopted a healthier diet. He and Beth, his wife, also began reading about chemotherapy and radiation treatments, side effects, and what a patient typically experiences.

Their research led them to consider robotic-assisted surgery as an alternative to traditional surgical treatments for people with throat cancer. 

"Based on my age being less than 65, being healthy, and the size of the tumor itself, I was a good candidate for the robotic-assisted surgery, according to Dr. Larson and our research," Stu explains. 

While he understood that "he could possibly still need radiation and/or chemotherapy" after the surgery to remove the cancer, the outlook was promising that he wouldn’t need either one.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy work in different ways to destroy or shrink cancer cells. Both can be effective in treating cancer, but they can also have devastating potential side effects that concerned Stu.

"It was just a no-brainer to do TORS,” he says, leery of the likelihood of side effects associated with radiation and/or chemotherapy. His confidence in TORS’ advanced technology stemmed partly from family experience with traditional treatments. 

“I had a family member who had neck cancer in 2016, when robotic surgery wasn't readily available. His only treatment options were traditional surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. To know what he went through during those treatments, it was my goal to (avoid that)."

Stu Barton underwent throat cancer surgery two days before Thanksgiving. By Christmas Day, he was able to enjoy a full holiday meal, thanks to the groundbreaking technology of TORS and surgeon Dr. Scott Larson. 

TORS: A revolutionary approach. How the Da Vinci SP robot works

Dr. Larson, who performed Southwest Florida's first TORS procedure using the Da Vinci SP system last year, is one of the few experts in Southwest Florida trained in TORS technology.

“TORS addresses a significant challenge in treating throat cancers,” he says. "Human hands can't get in the back of the throat. Unlike with traditional surgery methods, TORS uses a minimally invasive approach to accessing these hard-to-reach areas.”

The Da Vinci SP robot system uses a console-controlled robotic arm to perform surgeries, giving surgeons a 3D, high-definition view of the surgical field—in Stu’s case, the inside of his mouth and throat. 

Dr. Larson controlled the robotic arms and instruments from a console, allowing for precise movements and enhanced visualization. 

“The surgeon controls both the camera and the arms of the robot to perform the resection (removal of the cancerous tissue)," he explains. “The camera on the robot arm magnifies and enhances my view in 3D. I had a far more detailed view than if I were just looking into his mouth with my own eyes. Because the robot arms are flexible and very precise in their movements, I can access difficult to reach areas and remove the cancerous tissue.”

Stu underwent his procedure at Gulf Coast Medical Center. He was impressed by the thoroughness of Dr. Larson’s surgical team. 

"They actually have a pathologist in the operating room who's doing pathology on the tissue in real-time analysis to make sure it's cancer-free,” he says. “That way, Dr. Larson can know when he's got it all and can stop with the surgery.” 

Dr. Larson says that the primary site, or where Stu’s cancer originated, was unknown at surgery. But TORS helped him to discover that the cancer had started at the base of Stu’s tongue. 

“We resected (removed) the tumor with negative margins, meaning we ensured that no cancer cells remained at the edges of the removed tissue,” he explains. “That’s crucial for successful treatment and lower risk of recurrence.”

He adds that because throat cancers tend to spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, those in Stu’s neck were also removed.

Stu’s recovery and results

Despite the complex procedure, Stu's recovery progressed well. "I was in the hospital for two days, released on Thanksgiving Day, and by Sunday, I was slowly on my own with difficulty, but swallowing on my own and making progress week by week."

Recovery was steady and noticeable, he says. 

"Every week, I just noticed the improvement. Every week was like, wow, you look back and you go, this week is so much better than last week." 

His quick progress was remarkable: "By Christmas Day, I was eating a full Christmas meal."

Most importantly, the TORS procedure achieved its primary goal: "I was able to have the surgery and then not have to have chemotherapy and radiation, which was the goal. There can be lifetime side effects with radiation and chemotherapy,” he says. “With the robotic surgery, there are minimal side effects—difficulty swallowing, and that's about it. I couldn’t ask for a better outcome."

He appreciates avoiding the intense time commitment associated with radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments.

"Radiation can last five, six weeks, five days a week. Chemotherapy can be the same, too. That’s a lot of time invested and a lot of side effects that I was very fortunate not to have to deal with."

Having thoroughly researched his treatment options, Stu offers a unique perspective to others facing similar diagnoses: "I consulted with both chemotherapy and radiation oncologists and went to other facilities to make sure I was making a good decision with TORS. I felt really comfortable with my decision to do TORS with Dr. Larson. I'm very thankful."

Stu also appreciates having advanced treatment available locally instead of options that might have required him to drive three to four hours elsewhere for his treatment.

“To be close to home and have your treatment right here in Fort Myers was a godsend." 

Stu’s final thoughts about his cancer journey reflect his gratitude and optimism.

“The team here in Fort Myers and at Lee Health Cancer Institute did a fabulous job of education and making sure that I had everything I needed to have a good outcome. I'm blessed. I'm looking to the future.”

Benefits of TORS:

• Minimally invasive: TORS is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning smaller incisions and less tissue damage compared to traditional surgery.
• Improved access: TORS provides surgeons with better access to the throat and neck, allowing for more precise tumor removal.
• Faster recovery: Patients typically experience shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times with TORS.
• Reduced complications: TORS can lead to fewer complications, such as swallowing difficulties and scarring, compared to traditional surgery.
• Improved quality of life: TORS can help patients maintain a better quality of life by minimizing the impact on swallowing, breathing, and speaking.
• Potential for avoiding radiation or chemotherapy: In some cases, TORS may allow patients to avoid or reduce the need for radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Dr. Larson adds, "We want to cure people of their throat cancer while causing the least long-term side effects from cancer treatment. With TORS, the robotic-assisted platform allows us to do that. To remove the cancer while not affecting swallowing, speech, and breathing. The technology is changing peoples’ lives for the better. Before TORS, patients like Stu would need to leave Southwest Florida for surgery or radiation treatment.” 

TORS has become widely adopted and remains safe across the country with a very low risk of severe complications comparable to traditional treatment, Dr. Larson notes. “Although safety is excellent nationally, high-volume TORS centers have superior outcomes with lower rates of positive margins and early postoperative mortality.”

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Stu Barton discusses his cancer journey with Dr. Scott Larson

This April, schedule a head and neck cancer screening, especially if you notice persistent changes in your mouth or throat. Early detection, combined with innovative treatments like TORS, provides the best chance for successful outcomes while preserving quality of life, as Stu Barton's experience demonstrates.

Walk or run to this community event for a free cancer screening

Partners in Care, a local nonprofit cancer foundation, will provide free head and neck cancer screenings on April 26, 9-11 a.m. at the 2025 13th Annual Head & Neck 10K and 5K Run/2-Mile Walk at Rotary Park in Cape Coral.

Participants also have the option to participate virtually in the 5K run/walk, 10K run/walk or 2-mile walk. 

Support through the Lee Health Cancer Institute

For those diagnosed with head and neck cancer, navigating treatment can feel overwhelming. The Lee Health Cancer Institute offers oncology nurse navigators—a dedicated member of the care team who helps guide patients through the treatment process at no cost. These professionals provide education, support, and assistance in overcoming barriers to care.