As the major part of the first inpatient ward of oral and maxillofacial surgery established in China, and as a National Key Clinical Specialty, the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, boasts core strength in clinical practice, surgical education and scientific research related to head and neck tumors. The department has a large and strong professional team, including 6 professors, 6 associate professors and 10 lecturers. All faculty members in the department have doctoral degrees and overseas study experiences.

Clinical Treatment
Faculty experts and postgraduate students under the supervision of the department offer patients a wide variety of surgical treatment, from appropriate resection of primary and metastatic foci of head and neck tumors to comprehensive reconstruction of soft and hard tissue defects. The latest technology tools, such as endoscopes for conducting minimally invasive operation and optimizing reconstruction of soft and hard tissue defects for patients with salivary gland tumors, are used to improve accuracy and provide the best outcomes in treatment planning, along with effectiveness and efficiency in patient care. Through close collaboration with experts in related specialties in our hospital and West China Hospital, multidisciplinary care for complex cases such as advanced head and neck tumors is facilitated to ensure the best benefit for patients. Both traditional and innovative tumor surgeries, including extensive resection of tumor foci, neck dissection, facial nerve dissection and preservation, minimally invasive surgery for salivary gland tumors, radiofrequency ablation, and optimization and reconstruction of soft and hard tissue defects, are utilized to provide patients with diverse treatment options.

Education
The Department of Head and Neck Oncology is an advanced training center of oncological surgery specialty in China. Our education focuses on developing training programs in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of head and neck tumors for postgraduate students and residents. We aim to provide students with advanced clinical skills, a solid scientific foundation, and a broad vision in tumor care. All postgraduate students receive basic science research training in oral biology. Academic and residency programs are offered here.

Research
The main research interests of the department range from bioinformatics and biological mechanisms underlying malignant transformation of head and neck tumors, and cachexia of patients, to the development of early diagnostic tools. Funded by more than 20 NSFC projects, the research carried out by the faculty members is consistent and innovative, taking the leading place in the field of head and neck oncology. We have successfully conducted a series of researches, including gene therapy for head and neck tumors, intercellular communication and interruption in the process of malignant transformation, tumor immunology of head and neck tumors, and liquid biopsy by Raman spectroscopy, imposing far-reaching and extensive influence both domestically and globally.