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Mark Zafereo, MD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Mark Zafereo received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at MD Anderson.  Dr. Zafereo is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  He holds national committee appointments for the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and he has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, invited articles, and textbook chapters related to cancer and diseases of the head and neck.  Dr. Zafereo has received research awards and honors from the Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Texas Association of Otolaryngology, the American Head and Neck Society, the Houston Surgical Society and the American Association for Cancer Research.  His clinical interests include head and neck cancer, salivary gland tumors, melanoma, thyroid and parathyroid.

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd
Unit Number: 1445
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-792-6920
Fax: 713-794-4662

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2005 University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, MD, Doctor of Medicine
2001 University of Texas, Austin, TX, BBA, Highest Honors, Bachelor of Business Administration

Postgraduate Training

7/2010-6/2011 Clinical Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
7/2007-6/2010 Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
7/2005-6/2007 Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX

Board Certifications

6/2011 American Board of Otolaryngology

Honors and Awards

2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Humanitarian Grant
2010 Global ENT Outreach Farhangi/Asdaghi Scholarship for International Medical Service Projects
2010 Hitoshi Nikaidoh Memorial Humanitarian Grant
2010 Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Clinical Research Paper Finalist
2010 Texas Association of Otolaryngology Research Award
2009 American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-In-Training Award Finalist
2009 Combined Otolaryngology Society Meeting Distinguished Poster and American Head and Neck Society Presidential Citation
2009 Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 1st place Clinical Research Paper
2009 Houston Surgical Society Research Award
2009 Texas Association of Otolaryngology Research Award
2008 Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 1st place Clinical Research Paper
2005 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
2001 University of Texas Magna Cum Laude, University Honors

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery
Member/Humanitarian Efforts Committee, 2009-present
Vice Chair/Section for Residents and Fellows, 2009-2010
Board of Governors Public Relations Representative, 2007-2008
Member, 2006-present
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Millenium Society
Member, 2010
American Board of Otolaryngology
Diplomate, 2011
American Head and Neck Society
Member, 2008-present
American Medical Association
Member, 2001-present
Harris County Medical Society
Member, 2001-present
Houston Society of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery
Member, 2006-present
Texas Medical Association
Member, 2001-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Zhang Y, Sturgis EM, Huang Z, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Li G. Genetic variants of the p53 and p73 genes jointly increase risk of second primary malignancies in patients after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer 118(2):485-92, 1/15/2012. e-Pub 6/29/2011. PMCID: PMC3184342.
2. Zhang Y, Sturgis EM, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Li G. p14ARF genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer 117(6):1227-35, 3/15/2011. e-Pub 11/8/2010. PMCID: PMC3058845.
3. Zafereo ME, Weber RS, Lewin JS, Roberts DB, Hanasono MM. Complications and functional outcomes following complex oropharyngeal reconstruction. Head Neck 32(8):1003-11, 8/2010. PMID: 19953614.
4. Lei D, Sturgis EM, Wang LE, Liu Z, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Li G. FAS and FASLG genetic variants and risk for second primary malignancy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 19(6):1484-91, 6/2010. e-Pub 5/25/2010. PMCID: PMC2883025.
5. Li F, Sturgis EM, Chen X, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Li G. Association of p53 codon 72 polymorphism with risk of second primary malignancy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer 116(10):2350-9, 5/15/2010. PMCID: PMC2864328.
6. Lei D, Sturgis EM, Liu Z, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Li G. Genetic polymorphisms of p21 and risk of second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Carcinogenesis 31(2):222-7, 2/2010. e-Pub 12/2/2009. PMCID: PMC2812571.
7. Li F, Sturgis EM, Zafereo ME, Liu Z, Wang LE, Wei Q, Li G. p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism and risk of second primary malignancy after index squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Int J Cancer 125(11):2660-5, 12/1/2009. PMCID: PMC2757513.
8. Zafereo ME, Hanasono MM, Rosenthal DI, Sturgis EM, Lewin JS, Roberts DB, Weber RS. The role of salvage surgery in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. Cancer 115(24):5723-33, 12/15/2009. PMID: 19760612.
9. Chen LM, Li G, Reitzel LR, Pytynia KB, Zafereo ME, Wei Q, Sturgis EM. Matched-pair analysis of race or ethnicity in outcomes of head and neck cancer patients receiving similar multidisciplinary care. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2(9):782-91, 9/2009. e-Pub 9/8/2009. PMCID: PMC2774765.
10. Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM, Liu Z, Wang LE, Wei Q, Li G. Nucleotide excision repair core gene polymorphisms and risk of second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Carcinogenesis 30(6):997-1002, 6/2009. e-Pub 4/15/2009. PMCID: PMC2691145.
11. Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM, Aleem S, Chaung K, Wei Q, Li G. Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and risk of second primary malignancy after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2(5):432-9, 5/2009. e-Pub 4/28/2009. PMCID: PMC2698715.
12. Zafereo ME, Taylor RJ, Pereira KD. Supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia with obstructive sleep apnea. Laryngoscope 118(10):1873-7, 10/2008. PMID: 18641529.
13. Zafereo ME, Pereira KD. Chronic retropharyngeal abscess presenting as obstructive sleep apnea. Pediatr Emerg Care 24(6):382-4, 6/2008. PMID: 18562883.
14. Zafereo ME, Fakhri S, Prayson R, Batra PS, Lee J, Lanza DC, Citardi MJ. Esthesioneuroblastoma: 25-year experience at a single institution. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 138(4):452-8, 4/2008. PMID: 18359353.
15. Dahlstrom KR, Little JA, Zafereo ME, Lung M, Wei Q, Sturgis EM. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in never smoker-never drinkers: a descriptive epidemiologic study. Head Neck 30(1):75-84, 1/2008. PMID: 17694557.
16. Kaszuba SM, Zafereo ME, Rosenthal DI, El-Naggar AK, Weber RS. Effect of initial treatment on disease outcome for patients with submandibular gland carcinoma. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133(6):546-50, 6/2007. PMID: 17576904.

Book Chapters
1. Zafereo ME, Beadle B, Weber RS. In: Carcinoma of Oropharynx. Ed(s) Hesham Mehanna, Kian Ang. In Press.
2. Holsinger FC, Zafereo ME, Chung WY. In: Cohen & Clayman: Atlas of Head and Neck Surgery. Ed(s) J Cohen G Clayman, 2011.

Last updated: 11/16/2012