When cancer symptoms appear life-threatening,
immediate treatment can make all the difference. That was
the case for Robert Jones, who saw his Primary Physician
Sikander Kajani, MD, after unintentionally losing 10
pounds and finding nodules in his throat.
“Dr. Kajani got on the phone right away,” says Robert.
Within hours, Robert had a consultation and biopsy
performed by Marc Kerner, MD, FACS, Surgeon, which
confirmed a diagnosis of a rare stage 3 thyroid cancer. Ten
days later, he underwent surgery.
“The procedure involved removing cancer that extended
from behind his ear to across his neck and under his chin,”
explains Dr. Kerner, who also discovered during the
procedure that the cancer had reached his carotid artery—a
major artery that carries blood from the heart to the head.
“His disease also involved the nerves to his voice box. We
used a specialized nerve monitoring device available at
Northridge Hospital to carefully remove the tumor from the
nerves. The monitoring device allows us much greater
precision and confidence that the nerve function will remain
intact and that we can prevent a voice injury.”
“Dr. Kerner’s surgical skills were great,” proclaims
Robert. ”Being an ENT and a plastic surgeon, he was able to
remove my cancer with minimal scaring.”
Robert’s treatment continued with radiation to kill any
remaining cancer cells. He is now cancer free, back working
for himself in the wholesale automotive industry and
enjoying life with his family. “I wouldn’t say it was a walk in
the park,” he asserts. “But when you think of the alternative,
I’m grateful we caught it and treated it right away.”
