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![Michelle M. Chen, MD, MHS](/content/dam/SHC/doctors-medicalstaff/c/chen-michelle-md.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/original.transform/280x280-q76/image.jpg)
Biography
Her practice focuses on the treatment of cancers that affect the head and neck. She has received additional training in microvascular reconstruction and transoral robotic surgery.
Dr. Chen has an active lab involved in head and neck cancer health services research and her work has appeared in numerous journals, including The Journal of the American Medical Association, Cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. She has also authored chapters in textbooks on head and neck cancer treatment.
Dr. Chen is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) and the American Head & Neck Society.
Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Medical Education: Yale University School of Medicine (2014) CT
- Research Fellowship, University of Michigan (2021)
- Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology (2021)
- Fellowship, University of Michigan, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery (2020)
- Residency, Stanford University, Otolaryngology (2019)
- Medical Education, Yale School of Medicine (2014)
Publications
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Predictors of Survival in Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma
Chen, M. M., Roman, S. A., Sosa, J. A., & Judson, B. L. (2015). Predictors of Survival in Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY PART B-SKULL BASE, 76(3), 208–13. -
The Role of Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma An Analysis of 4815 Patients
Chen, M. M., Roman, S. A., Sosa, J. A., & Judson, B. L. (2015). The Role of Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma An Analysis of 4815 Patients. JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY, 141(2), 137–41. -
Trends and Variations in the Use of Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Chen, M. M., Roman, S. A., Yarbrough, W. G., Burtness, B. A., Sosa, J. A., & Judson, B. L. (2014). Trends and Variations in the Use of Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. CANCER, 120(21), 3353–60. -
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A Tracheal Mass.
Chen, M. M., Jeffery, C., & Damrose, E. J. (2017). A Tracheal Mass. JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery, 143(1), 87–88. -
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Lymph Node Count From Neck Dissection Predicts Mortality in Head and Neck Cancer
Divi, V., Chen, M. M., Nussenbaum, B., Rhoads, K. F., Sirjani, D. B., Holsinger, F. C., … Hara, W. (2016). Lymph Node Count From Neck Dissection Predicts Mortality in Head and Neck Cancer. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, 34(32), 3892-? -
American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition Changes in Staging Criteria: Implications for Data Collection.
Saraswathula, A., Chen, M., Negoita, S., & Divi, V. (2017). American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition Changes in Staging Criteria: Implications for Data Collection. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 194599817721690. -
Surrogate for oropharyngeal cancer HPV status in cancer database studies
Megwalu, U. C., Chen, M. M., Ma, Y., & Divi, V. (2017). Surrogate for oropharyngeal cancer HPV status in cancer database studies. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 39(12), 2494–2500. -
Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use in Older Head and Neck Cancer Patients.
Saraswathula, A., Chen, M. M., Mudumbai, S. C., Whittemore, A. S., & Divi, V. (2018). Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use in Older Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 194599818778276. -
Comparative Effectiveness and Toxicity of Cetuximab or Cisplatin With Concurrent Radiation for Locoregionally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Head And Neck: A Population-Based Analysis
Xiang, M., Holsinger, F. C., Chen, M., Colevas, A. D., & Beadle, B. M. (2018). Comparative Effectiveness and Toxicity of Cetuximab or Cisplatin With Concurrent Radiation for Locoregionally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Head And Neck: A Population-Based Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. -
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Measuring Institutional Quality in Head and Neck Surgery Using Hospital-Level Data Negative Margin Rates and Neck Dissection Yield
Schoppy, D. W., Rhoads, K. F., Ma, Y., Chen, M. M., Nussenbaum, B., Orosco, R. K., … Divi, V. (2017). Measuring Institutional Quality in Head and Neck Surgery Using Hospital-Level Data Negative Margin Rates and Neck Dissection Yield. JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY. AMER MEDICAL ASSOC. -
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Predictors of readmissions after head and neck cancer surgery: A national perspective
Chen, M. M., Orosco, R. K., Harris, J. P., Porter, J. B., Rosenthal, E. L., Hara, W., & Divi, V. (2017). Predictors of readmissions after head and neck cancer surgery: A national perspective. ORAL ONCOLOGY, 71, 106–12. -
Survival benefit of post-operative chemotherapy for intermediate-risk advanced stage head and neck cancer differs with patient age
Chen, M. M., Colevas, A. D., Megwalu, U., & Divi, V. (2018). Survival benefit of post-operative chemotherapy for intermediate-risk advanced stage head and neck cancer differs with patient age. ORAL ONCOLOGY, 84, 71–75. -
Regionalization of Head and Neck Cancer Surgery May Fragment Care and Impact Overall Survival.
Chen, M. M., Megwalu, U. C., Liew, J., Sirjani, D., Rosenthal, E. L., & Divi, V. (2018). Regionalization of Head and Neck Cancer Surgery May Fragment Care and Impact Overall Survival. The Laryngoscope. -
Survival of patients with head and neck cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin or concurrent cetuximab: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare analysis.
Xiang, M., Holsinger, F. C., Colevas, A. D., Chen, M. M., Le, Q.-T., & Beadle, B. M. (2018). Survival of patients with head and neck cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin or concurrent cetuximab: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare analysis. Cancer. -
Depth of invasion alone as a prognostic factor in low-risk early-stage oral cavity carcinoma.
Kozak, M. M., Shah, J., Chen, M., Schaberg, K., von Eyben, R., Chen, J. J., … Hara, W. (2019). Depth of invasion alone as a prognostic factor in low-risk early-stage oral cavity carcinoma. The Laryngoscope. -
Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Qian, Z. J., Chen, M. M., Divi, V., & Megwalu, U. C. (2019). Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. Head & Neck. -
Hospital readmission and 30-day mortality after surgery for oral cavity cancer: Analysis of 21,681 cases
Luryi, A. L., Chen, M. M., Mehra, S., Roman, S. A., Sosa, J. A., & Judson, B. L. (2016). Hospital readmission and 30-day mortality after surgery for oral cavity cancer: Analysis of 21,681 cases. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 38, E221–E226. -
End-of-Life Costs and Hospice Utilization in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.
Chen, M. M., Rosenthal, E. L., & Divi, V. (2019). End-of-Life Costs and Hospice Utilization in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 194599819846072. -
Predictors of Survival in Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma.
Chen, M. M., Roman, S. A., Sosa, J. A., & Judson, B. L. (2015). Predictors of Survival in Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma. Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part B, Skull Base, 76(3), 208–13. -
Association of surgical quality metrics and hospital-level overall survival for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Schoppy, D. W., Ma, Y., Rhoads, K. F., Chen, M. M., Nussenbaum, B., Orosco, R. K., … Divi, V. (2017). Association of surgical quality metrics and hospital-level overall survival for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. -
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Reducing the Time from Surgery to Adjuvant Radiation Therapy: An Institutional Quality Improvement Project
Divi, V., Chen, M. M., Hara, W., Shah, D., Narvasa, K., Smith, A. S., … Porter, J. (2018). Reducing the Time from Surgery to Adjuvant Radiation Therapy: An Institutional Quality Improvement Project. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, 159(1), 158–65. -
Association of Time between Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy with Survival in Oral Cavity Cancer
Chen, M. M., Harris, J. P., Orosco, R. K., Sirjani, D., Hara, W., & Divi, V. (2018). Association of Time between Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy with Survival in Oral Cavity Cancer. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, 158(6), 1051–56. -
Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use in Older Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Saraswathula, A., Chen, M. M., Mudumbai, S. C., Whittemore, A. S., & Divi, V. (2019). Persistent Postoperative Opioid Use in Older Head and Neck Cancer Patients. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, 160(3), 380–87. -
Regionalization of head and neck cancer surgery may fragment care and impact overall survival
Chen, M. M., Megwalu, U. C., Liew, J., Sirjani, D., Rosenthal, E. L., & Divi, V. (2019). Regionalization of head and neck cancer surgery may fragment care and impact overall survival. LARYNGOSCOPE, 129(6), 1413–19. -
Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma
Qian, Z. J., Chen, M. M., Divi, V., & Megwalu, U. C. (2019). Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 41(6), 1903–7. -
End-of-Life Costs and Hospice Utilization in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Chen, M. M., Rosenthal, E. L., & Divi, V. (2019). End-of-Life Costs and Hospice Utilization in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY. SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD. -
Assessing Care Value for Older Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Cisplatin or Cetuximab for Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.
Saraswathula, A., Chen, M. M., Colevas, A. D., & Divi, V. (2019). Assessing Care Value for Older Patients Receiving Radiotherapy With or Without Cisplatin or Cetuximab for Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery. -
The Difficult Airway and Aerosol-Generating Procedures in COVID-19: Timeless Principles for Uncertain Times.
Smith, J. D., Chen, M. M., Balakrishnan, K., Sidell, D. R., di Stadio, A., Schechtman, S. A., … Brenner, M. J. (2020). The Difficult Airway and Aerosol-Generating Procedures in COVID-19: Timeless Principles for Uncertain Times. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery : Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 194599820936615. -
Clinician Attitudes and Beliefs About Deintensifying Head and Neck Cancer Surveillance.
Chen, M. M., Mott, N. M., Miller, J., Kazemi, R., Stover, M., Graboyes, E. M., … Dossett, L. A. (2021). Clinician Attitudes and Beliefs About Deintensifying Head and Neck Cancer Surveillance. JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery. -
Nodal Metastasis Count and Oncologic Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of NRG/RTOG 9501, NRG/RTOG 0234, and EORTC 22931.
Lu, D. J., Luu, M., Gay, C., Nguyen, A. T., Anderson, E. M., Bernier, J., … Zumsteg, Z. S. (2022). Nodal Metastasis Count and Oncologic Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of NRG/RTOG 9501, NRG/RTOG 0234, and EORTC 22931. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. -
Nodal Metastasis Count and Oncologic Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of NRG/RTOG 9501, NRG/RTOG 0234, and EORTC 22931
Lu, D. J., Luu, M., Gay, C., Nguyen, A. T., Anderson, E. M., Bernier, J., … Zumsteg, Z. S. (2022). Nodal Metastasis Count and Oncologic Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of NRG/RTOG 9501, NRG/RTOG 0234, and EORTC 22931. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 113(4), 787–795. -
Minimally Invasive Surgery in the United States, 2022: Understanding Its Value Using New Datasets.
Mattingly, A. S., Chen, M. M., Divi, V., Holsinger, F. C., & Saraswathula, A. (2022). Minimally Invasive Surgery in the United States, 2022: Understanding Its Value Using New Datasets. The Journal of Surgical Research, 281, 33–36. -
Predictive Impact of Metastatic Lymph Node Burden on Distant Metastasis Across Papillary Thyroid Cancer Variants.
Ho, A. S., Luu, M., Shafqat, I., Mallen-St Clair, J., Chen, M. M., Chen, Y., … Zumsteg, Z. S. (2021). Predictive Impact of Metastatic Lymph Node Burden on Distant Metastasis Across Papillary Thyroid Cancer Variants. Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association, 31(10), 1549–1557. -
Quantitative Nodal Burden and Mortality Across Solid Cancers.
Nguyen, A. T., Luu, M., Nguyen, V. P., Lu, D. J., Shiao, S. L., Kamrava, M., … Zumsteg, Z. S. (2022). Quantitative Nodal Burden and Mortality Across Solid Cancers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 114(7), 1003–1011. -
Financial Hardship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.
Mott, N. M., Mierzwa, M. L., Casper, K. A., Shah, J. L., Mallen-St Clair, J., Ho, A. S., … Chen, M. M. (2022). Financial Hardship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. JCO Oncology Practice, 18(6), e925–e937. -
Peace of Mind: A Role in Unnecessary Care?
Chen, M. M., Hughes, T. M., Dossett, L. A., & Pitt, S. C. (2022). Peace of Mind: A Role in Unnecessary Care? Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 40(5), 433–437. -
Expanded Parameters in Active Surveillance for Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.
Ho, A. S., Kim, S., Zalt, C., Melany, M. L., Chen, I. E., Vasquez, J., … Sacks, W. L. (2022). Expanded Parameters in Active Surveillance for Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Oncology. -
Leveraging Molecular Assays to Aid Decision-making in Large Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules-A Minimalist Approach.
Chen, M. M., & Ho, A. S. (2022). Leveraging Molecular Assays to Aid Decision-making in Large Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules-A Minimalist Approach. JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck Surgery, 148(4), 383. -
Complications of Transoral Robotic Surgery.
Sethi, R. K., Chen, M. M., & Malloy, K. M. (2020). Complications of Transoral Robotic Surgery. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 53(6), 1109–1115. -
HPV Vaccination Among Young Adults in the US.
Chen, M. M., Mott, N., Clark, S. J., Harper, D. M., Shuman, A. G., Prince, M. E., & Dossett, L. A. (2021). HPV Vaccination Among Young Adults in the US. JAMA, 325(16), 1673–1674. -
Impact of Nodal Metastases in HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer.
Chang, C. M., Chen, M. M., Bellile, E. L., Rozek, L. S., Carey, T. E., Spector, M. E., … Chinn, S. B. (2022). Impact of Nodal Metastases in HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 31(8), 1554–1563. -
Patient Burden with Current Surveillance Paradigm and Factors Associated with Interest in Altered Surveillance for Early Stage HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer.
Gharzai, L. A., Burger, N., Li, P., Jaworski, E. M., Henderson, C., Spector, M., … Mierzwa, M. L. (2021). Patient Burden with Current Surveillance Paradigm and Factors Associated with Interest in Altered Surveillance for Early Stage HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer. The Oncologist, 26(8), 676–684. -
A Consideration for Surgical Management in Select T4b Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Chen, M. M., Chang, C. M., Dermody, S., Rosko, A. J., Mierzwa, M. L., Swiecicki, P. L., … Chinn, S. B. (2022). A Consideration for Surgical Management in Select T4b Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 131(6), 609–616. -
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of HPV(+) Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Recurrence
Ho, A. S., Robinson, A., Shon, W., Laury, A., Raedschelders, K., Venkatraman, V., … Van Eyk, J. E. (2022). Comparative Proteomic Analysis of HPV(+) Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Recurrence. JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH, 21(1), 200–208. -
Impact of monoclonal antibody therapy for head and neck cancer on end-of-life care utilization and costs.
Benjamin, W. J., Yalamanchi, P., Taylor, J. M., Lenze, N., Worden, F. P., Chinn, S. B., & Chen, M. M. (2023). Impact of monoclonal antibody therapy for head and neck cancer on end-of-life care utilization and costs. Head & Neck. -
Diagnostic Assessment (Imaging) and Staging of Laryngeal Cancer.
Itamura, K., Hsue, V. B., Barbu, A. M., & Chen, M. M. (2023). Diagnostic Assessment (Imaging) and Staging of Laryngeal Cancer. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 56(2), 215–231. -
Comparative impact of grade on mortality across salivary cancers: A novel, unifying staging system.
Ho, A. S., Luu, M., Balzer, B. L., Aro, K., Jang, J. K., Mita, A. C., … Zumsteg, Z. S. (2023). Comparative impact of grade on mortality across salivary cancers: A novel, unifying staging system. Head & Neck. -
Global Epidemiologic Patterns of Oropharyngeal Cancer Incidence Trends.
Zumsteg, Z. S., Luu, M., Rosenberg, P. S., Elrod, J. K., Bray, F., Vaccarella, S., … Goodman, M. T. (2023). Global Epidemiologic Patterns of Oropharyngeal Cancer Incidence Trends. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. -
Toll-like Receptor Agonists Are Unlikely to Provide Benefits in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Maddineni, S., Chen, M., Baik, F., Divi, V., Sunwoo, J. B., & Finegersh, A. (2023). Toll-like Receptor Agonists Are Unlikely to Provide Benefits in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers, 15(17). -
The influence of grade on mortality risk in salivary gland malignancy
Bastien, A. J., Luu, M., Balzer, B., Aro, K., Jang, J., Mita, A. C., … Ho, A. S. (2023). The influence of grade on mortality risk in salivary gland malignancy. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. -
Sinonasal Tumors Masquerading as Invasive Fungal Sinusitis (IFS).
Pak, K. Y., Hsue, V. B., Lee, M. K., Chen, M. M., Balzer, B., Wu, A. W., & Tang, D. M. (2024). Sinonasal Tumors Masquerading as Invasive Fungal Sinusitis (IFS). The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 34894241238864. -
A Novel Gene Fusion YLPM1::PRKD1 Identified in a Cribriform Subtype of Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma.
Miyakawa-Liu, M., Ozawa, M. G., Chen, M., & Rahman, M. (2024). A Novel Gene Fusion YLPM1::PRKD1 Identified in a Cribriform Subtype of Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma. Head and Neck Pathology, 18(1), 43. -
Patient perceptions underlying ctDNA molecular surveillance for HPV(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Bastien, A. J., Ng, J., Cong, I., Garcia, J., Walgama, E. S., Luu, M., … Ho, A. S. (2024). Patient perceptions underlying ctDNA molecular surveillance for HPV(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncology, 156, 106894. -
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Thyroid Cancer Surgery.
Lee, M. L., Megwalu, U. C., Finegersh, A., Noel, J. E., & Chen, M. M. (2024). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Thyroid Cancer Surgery. Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 31(6), 3579–3590.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.
Practice Locations
Head and Neck Cancer Program at 900 Blake Wilbur Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CAHead and Neck Cancer Program at 900 Blake Wilbur
900 Blake Wilbur Drive
Palo Alto , CA 94304
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