Treatment for the Throat & Neck
Pinon Hills ENT is the place you'll want to be for throat and neck concerns. Health issues in the neck may be serious, requiring treatment and/or surgery. Our ENT, Dr. Brett Clarke, is board-certified and has had many years of experience. We are confident we can offer you information and treatment for any problems in this area.
No one wants to think about cancer. However, thanks to the growing body of medical knowledge and technology, cancer is not as scary as it once was. The good news about cancers of the head and neck is your prospects are excellent when they are caught early. This is what makes regular screening so important. When it comes to cancers of the head and neck, we have you covered.
We highly recommend you make an appointment if you have difficulty with swallowing, sores that do not heal, or a persistent sore throat.
Our Approach to Head & Neck Surgery
Dr. Clarke is a qualified and highly recommended surgeon; he and his PA-C have the knowledge to provide you with exceptional care. When you come in, you can expect your provider to talk with you about your condition, perform an examination, and run tests. This allows him to gather the information he needs to make a diagnosis. He will then discuss the diagnosis with you and make recommendations for treatment, including surgery for head and neck cancers.
Dr. Clarke regularly removes tumors and other abnormal growths from our patients' necks and faces. Some of these masses are caused by tumors of the hormone glands:
Thyroid Tumors — Growths can occur in the thyroid gland, which is responsible for making hormones for your body. When such growths show signs of cancer or are large and uncomfortable, surgery is often needed. Depending on how much of the thyroid is removed, medication may be necessary for hormone replacement.
Parotid (Salivary) Tumors — You may not be familiar with the name parotid, but these are the glands that produce saliva to help you chew and digest food. Sometimes, tumors can form in these glands, which can cause swelling, pain, and even impair movement in the face. Removing these tumors requires surgery.
Parathyroid Tumors — Near your thyroid are four pea-sized glands called parathyroid glands; they secrete a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. Most tumors of these glands are not cancerous, but they can still cause aches and pains, kidney problems, fatigue, and several other symptoms as a result of too much calcium in your bloodstream. We remove these kinds of tumors with surgery.
Neck masses can cause a multitude of issues, so it's important you see a doctor if you find a suspicious bump.
Dermatology services
Our clinic also offers treatment for skin problems. If you have an abnormal lump, mole, or cut, schedule an appointment with one of our providers to get it examined. Skin cancer is the most common cancer across the globe, but it is the also one of the most treatable cancers. The three most common types of skin cancer are:
Basal Cell Carcinoma — You may not be familiar with this name, but it's the most common type of skin cancer, usually appearing on skin that has been exposed to a lot of sunlight. It typically presents as a small, shiny bump. Risk factors for this type of cancer include being fair-skinned and being middle-aged or older.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma — If you find a bump that's scabbing over, you should consider getting checked for the second most common kind of skin cancer: squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer usually looks like a scaly patch or bump in areas with a lot of sunlight exposure, though it can appear anywhere on the body. You should be treated quickly so it doesn't spread to other parts of the body.
Melanoma — Despite being less common, melanoma is probably the most well known kind of skin cancer, and for good reason—it's the deadliest. Fortunately, it is almost always curable when caught early. Melanoma presents as oddly shaped moles and is thought to be caused by excess sunlight. This type of cancer runs in families, so if skin cancer is in your family history, regular checkups are recommended.
