Practice Contact Information

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
5200 Centre Avenue

Pittsburgh
PA
15232
United States

Phone: 412-621-0123
Email:
Web Site:

Areas of surgical specialization in Head and Neck Surgery

Head and Neck Research, Head and Neck Surgeon, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist

Biography/Statement

Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, is the director of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. He co-directs the Tumor Microenvironment Center at Hillman and is also Hillman Professor of Oncology, associate vice-chancellor for cancer research, and professor of oncology, otolaryngology, immunology, and radiation oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, he treats patients with benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, including the thyroid and salivary glands, oral cavity, throat and voice box (larynx). He regularly performs endoscopic, minimally invasive approaches to thyroidectomy and partial laryngectomy, in order to preserve function and speed the return of speaking, swallowing and breathing.

Dr. Ferris is also developing and implementing immunotherapy (cancer vaccines) to treat head and neck tumors. His research focus is in trying to understand how to stimulate the body’s immune system to eliminate cancer. The goals of this research are to boost the body’s immune response against cancer and to try to prevent cancer from recurring (or to prevent it from occurring in the first place).

Dr. Ferris was trained at Johns Hopkins, where he received his medical degree and PhD in Immunology, a residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and subspecialty training in head and neck oncologic surgery.

Clinical Trials

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