Disorders of the ear, nose and throat (ENT) often require specialized surgery. The study of these diseases is called otolaryngology. Our skilled surgeons use a delicate touch to remove the cancer and preserve your child’s ability to hear, speak and swallow. We also treat sleep apnea, hearing loss and conditions related to sickle cell disease and infections.
Our ENT surgical teams perform complex operations most other centers can’t offer. Each year, we perform over 100 ENT procedures. We also support outpatient clinic visits for about 700 patients.
Treatments We Offer
At St. Jude, you’ll have a medical team with the right mix of experience and care to address all of your child’s needs. You may need specialists in pediatric ENT, ear surgery or head and neck surgery, cancer, sickle cell disease or other conditions. Our specialists work together to ensure your child has the best treatment and comfort before, during and after surgery.
Our ENT surgeons treat:
- Sleep apnea
- Hearing loss
- Thyroid cancer
- Salivary gland carcinoma
- Skull-based tumors
- Head and neck cancers
- Sinus tumors
- Tumors of the neck
- Vocal cord disorders
- Swallowing disorders
- Breathing difficulties
Our ENT surgeons perform:
- Cochlear implants
- Middle-ear surgery
- Thyroid surgery
- Tonsil removal
- Adenoid removal
- Neck surgery
What to Expect
We will work with you to decide the best treatment plan for your child. For some conditions, your child may be offered a clinical trial of a new treatment or procedure.
Most ENT procedures occur at St. Jude. Sometimes, a procedure may be done at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, about a mile away.
Depending on the surgery, your child may leave the hospital the same day. If your child stays overnight, you will have a room nearby so you can be close to your child.
After the surgery, your child may need further services. These may include support with hearing, swallowing, voice, nutrition, behavior or occupational therapy.
Our Patients Are Our Partners
At St. Jude, your family is a vital part of the medical team. At every step, we partner with you to understand your child’s condition and find the best path forward.
This partnership can begin even before your child receives treatment at St. Jude. The Rare Endocrine Tumor Referral Clinic invites families to St. Jude to consult with our experts and meet other families affected by head and neck tumors. For information about the Rare Endocrine Tumor Referral Clinic, call (901) 595-6110 or email endocrinetumor.consult@stjude.org.
Meet the ENT Team
Our ENT team consists of specialists who are all members of the teaching faculty at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine. We work with other experts at St. Jude, including outstanding nursing and operating room staff.