Physicians

Department / Division
Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Address
DUMC 3805
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
919-684-3834, 800-385-3646

Office Telephone
919-681-8069

Fax Telephone
919-681-7789

Training

• MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (Ohio), 1985

Residency

• Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, 1985-1990

Fellowship

• Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland), 1990-1992

Clinical Interests
Head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer and nodules, voice and swallowing disorders, endoscopic surgery for Zenker's diverticulum, transoral robotic surgery, other diseases involving head and neck, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid glands

Research Interests
A. Clinical research effort has been directed at assessing the role of tumor hypoxia and its relationship to cancer prognosis and the development of metastasis. These studies have involved correlation of tumor oxygen measurements from patients with squamous cell carcinoma correlated to immunohistochemical features representative of the level of tissue oxygenation. Further work will be done to determine whether or not these features may prove to be useful as prognostic factors capable of modulating our therapeutic regimen.

B. Clinical research effort has been directed toward assessing minimally-invasive techniques for treating swallowing disorders. These studies have been performed on patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction and abnormalities such as Zenker's diverticulum. This has led to the development of new endoscopic surgical treatments.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations (What's this?)

This faculty member has no reported relationships with industry.

Representative Publications
Scher, RL. Endoscopic staple diverticulostomy for recurrent Zenker's diverticulum. The Laryngoscope. 2003;113:63-67. (2003) Abstract

Brizel, DM; Schroeder, T; Scher, RL; Walenta, S; Clough, RW; Dewhirst, MW; Mueller-Klieser, W. Elevated tumor lactate concentrations predict for an increased risk of metastases in head-and-neck cancer. International Journal of Radiation: Oncology - Biology - Physics. 2001;51:349-353. (2001) Abstract

Cook, RD; Huang, PC; Richstmeier, WJ; Scher, RL. Endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy: an excellent treatment of choice for Zenker's diverticulum. The Laryngoscope. 2000;110:2020-2025. (2000) Abstract

Filntisis, GA; Moon, RE; Kraft, KL; Farmer, JC; Scher, RL; Piantadosi, CA. Laryngeal radionecrosis and hyperbaric oxygen therapy: report of 18 cases and review of the literature. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. 2000;109:554-562. (2000) Abstract

Krol, BJ; Righi, PD; Paydarfar, JA; Cheng, ET; Smith, RM; Lai, DC; Bhargava, V; Piccirillo, JF; Hayes, JT; Lue, AJ; Scher, RL; Weisberger, EC; Wilson, KM; Tran, LE; Rizk, N; Pellitteri, PK; Terris, DJ. Factors related to outcome of salvage therapy for isolated cervical recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in the previously treated neck: a multi-institutional study. Otolaryngology. 2000;123:368-376. (2000) Abstract

Huang, PC; Scher, RL. Endoscopic management of lateral pharyngeal pouch. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. 1999;108:408-410. (1999) Abstract

Mooney, EE; Dodd, LG; Oury, TD; Burchette, JL; Layfield, LJ; Scher, RL. Middle ear carcinoid: an indolent tumor with metastatic potential. Head and Neck: journal for the sciences and specialities of the head and neck. 1999;21:72-77. (1999) Abstract

Richtsmeier, WJ; Huang, P; Scher, RL. In situ identification of normal visceral tissues using contact telescopic microscopy. The Laryngoscope. 1999;109:216-220. (1999) Abstract

Brizel, DM; Albers, ME; Fisher, SR; Scher, RL; Richtsmeier, WJ; Hars, V; George, SL; Huang, AT; Prosnitz, LR. Hyperfractionated irradiation with or without concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998;338:1798-1804. (1998) Abstract

Scher, RL. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for necrotizing cervical infections. Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 1998;54:50-58. (1998) Abstract

Scher, RL; Richtsmeier, WJ. Long-term experience with endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy for Zenker's diverticulum. The Laryngoscope. 1998;108:200-205. (1998) Abstract

Scher, RL; Saito, W; Dodge, RK; Richtsmeier, WJ; Fine, RL. Fenretinide-induced apoptosis of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines. Otolaryngology. 1998;118:464-471. (1998) Abstract

Brizel, DM; Sibley, GS; Prosnitz, LR; Scher, RL; Dewhirst, MW. Tumor hypoxia adversely affects the prognosis of carcinoma of the head and neck. International Journal of Radiation: Oncology - Biology - Physics. 1997;38:285-289. (1997) Abstract

Richtsmeier, WJ; Scher, RL. Telescopic laryngeal and pharyngeal surgery. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology. 1997;106:995-1001. (1997) Abstract

Scher, RL; Richtsmeier, WJ. Endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy for Zenker's diverticulum. The Laryngoscope. 1996;106:951-956. (1996) Abstract

Langford, FP; Moon, RE; Stolp, BW; Scher, RL. Treatment of cervical necrotizing fasciitis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Otolaryngology. 1995;112:274-278. (1995) Abstract