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, reconstructive surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, facial nerve disorders, voice and swallowing disorders, endoscopic surgery for Zenker's diverticulum, transoral robotic surgery, other diseases involving head and neck, salivary glands, thyroid and 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 physician (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

• Ethicon, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)

Representative Publications
Scher RL. Endoscopic staple diverticulostomy for recurrent Zenker's diverticulum. Laryngoscope. 2003 Jan;113(1):63-7. (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. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001 Oct 1;51(2):349-53. (2001) Abstract

Cook RD, Huang PC, Richstmeier WJ, Scher RL. Endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy: an excellent treatment of choice for Zenker's diverticulum. Laryngoscope. 2000 Dec;110(12):2020-5. (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. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2000 Jun;109(6):554-62. (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. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Oct;123(4):368-76. (2000) Abstract

Huang PC, Scher RL. Endoscopic management of lateral pharyngeal pouch. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1999 Apr;108(4):408-10. (1999) Abstract

Mooney EE, Dodd LG, Oury TD, Burchette JL, Layfield LJ, Scher RL. Middle ear carcinoid: an indolent tumor with metastatic potential. Head Neck. 1999 Jan;21(1):72-7. (1999) Abstract

Richtsmeier WJ, Huang P, Scher RL. In situ identification of normal visceral tissues using contact telescopic microscopy. Laryngoscope. 1999 Feb;109(2 Pt 1):216-20. (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. N Engl J Med. 1998 Jun 18;338(25):1798-804. (1998) Abstract

Scher RL, Richtsmeier WJ. Long-term experience with endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy for Zenker's diverticulum. Laryngoscope. 1998 Feb;108(2):200-5. (1998) Abstract

Scher RL, Saito W, Dodge RK, Richtsmeier WJ, Fine RL. Fenretinide-induced apoptosis of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1998 Apr;118(4):464-71. (1998) Abstract

Scher RL. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for necrotizing cervical infections. Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 1998;54:50-8. (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. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1997 May 1;38(2):285-9. (1997) Abstract

Richtsmeier WJ, Scher RL. Telescopic laryngeal and pharyngeal surgery. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997 Dec;106(12):995-1001. (1997) Abstract

Farmer RW, Richtsmeier WJ, Scher RL.  In Vivo Identification of Sialyl Lewis-x in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.  Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. (1996)

Scher RL, Richtsmeier WJ. Endoscopic staple-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy for Zenker's diverticulum. Laryngoscope. 1996 Aug;106(8):951-6. (1996) Abstract

Langford FP, Moon RE, Stolp BW, Scher RL. Treatment of cervical necrotizing fasciitis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995 Feb;112(2):274-8. (1995) Abstract