Head & Neck Pathology
A Subspecialty Of Anatomic Pathology
About Head & Neck Pathology
The Head & Neck Pathology Service is among the most generalized of all the surgical pathology services, as it encompasses diverse organs within a compact anatomical space (the head and neck). This service evaluates a wide range of specimens including those from the middle and external ear, nasal cavity and sinuses, larynx and pharynx, oral cavity, salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid glands, and soft tissue and bones in the head and neck.
Our Services
Submit a Specimen
Our Faculty
Ancillary Testing
Stanford’s Head & Neck Pathology Service offers expert diagnosis for neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, salivary glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, maxillofacial region, and other head and neck sites. We have strong expertise in:
- Evaluation of tissue biopsies to rule out/confirm malignancies with special expertise in thyroid cancers and head and neck cancers.
- Evaluating biological markers of prognosis.
- HPV and EBV related cancers.
Primary Pathology Diagnosis
Stanford’s Head and Neck Pathology service performs gross and microscopic examination and reporting of wet tissue cases.
Consultative Opinions & Case Reviews
Stanford’s Head & Neck Pathology service offers consultative opinions on challenging cases submitted from outside of the Stanford network. These consultations can be utilized to offer expert opinion, answer specific questions or confirm diagnosis.
All specimens and additional paperwork must be labeled with:
- A minimum of 2 patient identifiers (first and last name, date of birth, medical record number, pathology case ID)
- Specimen type and anatomic site
Consult Cases
To submit slides for case review, the following materials are required:
- Fully completed Stanford Anatomic Pathology requisition form, including the requesting provider’s full name and NPI.
- Pathology report (final or preliminary).
- Glass slides and/or FFPE block.
- Ancillary testing results or materials.
- Patient demographics (name, DOB, address, phone), so Epic Care Everywhere can be activated, if applicable.
For cases with paraffin-embedded tissue, providing unstained slides or the paraffin block will expedite the work-up for ancillary studies.
Consults should be shipped or delivered via courier to:
Stanford Anatomic Pathology
Attn: ENT Pathology
300 Pasteur Drive, Room H2110
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-723-7211
Fresh/Fixed Tissue Specimens
To submit fresh/fixed tissue for processing and review, the following materials are required:
- Fully completed Stanford Anatomic Pathology requisition form, including the requesting provider’s full name and NPI.
- Patient demographics (name, DOB, address, phone), so Epic Care Everywhere can be activated, if applicable.
- Submit specimen in proper transport media and seal container closed. See Test Directory for specimen collection instructions and stability information.
Fresh/Fixed Specimens should be shipped or delivered via courier to:
Stanford Anatomic Pathology
Attn: ENT Pathology
3375 Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-7211
New Client Inquiries
To arrange to be set up as a new client, please contact:
ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org.
Shipping Guidelines
Package all materials securely according to the guidelines below and send via a padded envelope.
Glass slides: Package slides securely in plastic containers with bubble wrap to prevent glass breakage or damage in transit. Do not transport slides in cardboard folders. Stanford is not responsible for any glass slide damage in transport to our labs.
Paraffin blocks: Include ice packs to prevent wax melting. Stanford is not responsible for any tissue damage caused by extreme weather in transport to our labs.
Fresh/Fixed tissue: Seal specimen container closed. Place in biohazard bag and seal it closed. Ship specimen at appropriate temperature.
See Test Directory for specimen collection instructions and stability information.
SAMPLE SUBMISSION LOGISTICS
For more information on submitting cases, see the links below:
All Requisitions
Download Stanford Requisitions for specimen submission.
Account Set-up
Information on personalized requisitions, supplies, shipping and courier pick-up.
Pricing Inquiries
Pricing inquiries and contract information.
Billing
Billing policies, information and questions.
Results Web Portal
Request access or log-in to our client results portal.
Specimen Collection and Handling
Specifications for Specimen Collection and Handling.
Consult Service FAQ's
Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Brittany Holmes, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Professor of Pathology
- Director, Head and Neck Pathology
- Director, Cytopathology Service
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: bjholmes@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Brittany Holmes:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/brittany-holmes
Gerald Berry, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Professor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Gastrointestinal-Hepatopancreatobiliary Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
- Pulmonary & Thoracic Pathology
CONTACT
Email: gerald.berry@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 498-4987
More information about Gerald Berry:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/gerald-berry
Michael Ozawa, MD, PhD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
- Medical Director, Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
- Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
- Pulmonary & Thoracic Pathology
CONTACT
Email: mgozawa@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 739-6692
More information about Michael Ozawa:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/michael-ozawa
Mobeen Rahman, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic & Clinical Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: mobeen@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Mobeen Rahman:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/mobeen-rahman
Pauline Shih, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Instructor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Genitourinary Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: pashih@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Pauline Shih:
https://profiles.stanford.edu/intranet/pauline-shih
Ancillary Testing
Stanford Pathology relies on a suite of ancillary testing offerings to support our expert diagnosis and classification of head and neck tumors.
Immunohistochemistry
Our immunohistochemistry lab offers a wide range of routine and special stains, including antibody-based assays and in situ hybridization for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV).
Molecular Pathology
Cytogenetics/FISH
Our cytogenetics lab offers assays for many disease-specific gene rearrangements, including translocations seen in salivary neoplasms.
Virology
Stanford’s Virology Laboratory offers assays for low-risk and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.
Stanford’s Head & Neck Pathology Service offers expert diagnosis for neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, salivary glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, maxillofacial region, and other head and neck sites. We have strong expertise in:
- Evaluation of tissue biopsies to rule out/confirm malignancies with special expertise in thyroid cancers and head and neck cancers.
- Evaluating biological markers of prognosis.
- HPV and EBV related cancers.
Primary Pathology Diagnosis
Stanford’s Head and Neck Pathology service performs gross and microscopic examination and reporting of wet tissue cases.
Consultative Opinions & Case Reviews
Stanford’s Head & Neck Pathology service offers consultative opinions on challenging cases submitted from outside of the Stanford network. These consultations can be utilized to offer expert opinion, answer specific questions or confirm diagnosis.
close Our Services
All specimens and additional paperwork must be labeled with:
- A minimum of 2 patient identifiers (first and last name, date of birth, medical record number, pathology case ID)
- Specimen type and anatomic site
Consult Cases
To submit slides for case review, the following materials are required:
- Fully completed Stanford Anatomic Pathology requisition form, including the requesting provider’s full name and NPI.
- Pathology report (final or preliminary).
- Glass slides and/or FFPE block.
- Ancillary testing results or materials.
- Patient demographics (name, DOB, address, phone), so Epic Care Everywhere can be activated, if applicable.
For cases with paraffin-embedded tissue, providing unstained slides or the paraffin block will expedite the work-up for ancillary studies.
Consults should be shipped or delivered via courier to:
Stanford Anatomic Pathology
Attn: ENT Pathology
300 Pasteur Drive, Room H2110
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-723-7211
Fresh/Fixed Tissue Specimens
To submit fresh/fixed tissue for processing and review, the following materials are required:
- Fully completed Stanford Anatomic Pathology requisition form, including the requesting provider’s full name and NPI.
- Patient demographics (name, DOB, address, phone), so Epic Care Everywhere can be activated, if applicable.
- Submit specimen in proper transport media and seal container closed. See Test Directory for specimen collection instructions and stability information.
Fresh/Fixed Specimens should be shipped or delivered via courier to:
Stanford Anatomic Pathology
Attn: ENT Pathology
3375 Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-7211
New Client Inquiries
To arrange to be set up as a new client, please contact:
ClinOpsContracts@stanfordhealthcare.org.
Shipping Guidelines
Package all materials securely according to the guidelines below and send via a padded envelope.
Glass slides: Package slides securely in plastic containers with bubble wrap to prevent glass breakage or damage in transit. Do not transport slides in cardboard folders. Stanford is not responsible for any glass slide damage in transport to our labs.
Paraffin blocks: Include ice packs to prevent wax melting. Stanford is not responsible for any tissue damage caused by extreme weather in transport to our labs.
Fresh/Fixed tissue: Seal specimen container closed. Place in biohazard bag and seal it closed. Ship specimen at appropriate temperature.
See Test Directory for specimen collection instructions and stability information.
SAMPLE SUBMISSION LOGISTICS
For more information on submitting cases, see the links below:
All Requisitions
Download Stanford Requisitions for specimen submission.
Account Set-up
Information on personalized requisitions, supplies, shipping and courier pick-up.
Pricing Inquiries
Pricing inquiries and contract information.
Billing
Billing policies, information and questions.
Results Web Portal
Request access or log-in to our client results portal.
Specimen Collection and Handling
Specifications for Specimen Collection and Handling.
Consult Service FAQ's
Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
close Submit a Specimen
Brittany Holmes, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Professor of Pathology
- Director, Head and Neck Pathology
- Director, Cytopathology Service
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: bjholmes@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Brittany Holmes:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/brittany-holmes
Gerald Berry, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Professor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Gastrointestinal-Hepatopancreatobiliary Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
- Pulmonary & Thoracic Pathology
CONTACT
Email: gerald.berry@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 498-4987
More information about Gerald Berry:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/gerald-berry
Michael Ozawa, MD, PhD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
- Medical Director, Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
- Director, Surgical Pathology Fellowship
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Cytopathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
- Pulmonary & Thoracic Pathology
CONTACT
Email: mgozawa@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 739-6692
More information about Michael Ozawa:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/michael-ozawa
Mobeen Rahman, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic & Clinical Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: mobeen@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Mobeen Rahman:
https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/mobeen-rahman
Pauline Shih, MD
APPOINTMENTS
- Clinical Instructor of Pathology
PRACTICE AREAS
- Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
- Genitourinary Pathology
- Head & Neck Pathology
CONTACT
Email: pashih@stanford.edu
Phone: (650) 723-7211
More information about Pauline Shih:
https://profiles.stanford.edu/intranet/pauline-shih
close Our Faculty
Ancillary Testing
Stanford Pathology relies on a suite of ancillary testing offerings to support our expert diagnosis and classification of head and neck tumors.
Immunohistochemistry
Our immunohistochemistry lab offers a wide range of routine and special stains, including antibody-based assays and in situ hybridization for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV).
Molecular Pathology
Cytogenetics/FISH
Our cytogenetics lab offers assays for many disease-specific gene rearrangements, including translocations seen in salivary neoplasms.
Virology
Stanford’s Virology Laboratory offers assays for low-risk and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.
close Ancillary Testing
Residencies and Fellowships
Anatomic Pathology Residency Programs
Stanford Pathology offers a 3-year Anatomic Pathology residency and 4 year combination residencies in Anatomic Pathology/Clinical Pathology and Anatomic Pathology/Neuropathology.
Head & Neck Pathology Fellowship Training
Stanford offers an ACGME-accredited Fellowship in Surgical Pathology, which includes rotations in Head & Neck Pathology.