Meet Mark Zafereo, M.D.
Mark Zafereo, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Zafereo
Dr. Mark Zafereo is an Associate Professor of Head and Neck Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He is Section Chief of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery and Associate Medical Director of the Endocrine Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Zafereo holds national committee appointments for the American Head and Neck Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and he is a Past President of the Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He has published extensively on Thyroid and other Head & Neck cancers, speaking nationally and internationally. His clinical practice focuses on patients afflicted with thyroid cancer and parathyroid neoplasms.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Section Chief, Department of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Faculty Appointment, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, USA, MD, Doctor of Medicine |
| 2001 | University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA, BBA, Finance |
Postgraduate Training
| 2010-2011 | Clinical Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2007-2010 | Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX |
| 2005-2007 | Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX |
Board Certifications
| 2011 | American Board of Otolaryngology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2016
Clinical Specialist, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2011
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Medical Director, Department of Endocrine Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Director, Department of Department of Head and Neck Surgery International Visiting Scientist and Observer Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Faculty Oversight, Department of Head and Neck Survivorship Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2016
Back-up Moderator, Department of Weekly Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Planning Conference, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2018
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Endocrine Center Steering Committee, 2015 - Present
Member, Endocrine Center Epic Specialty Content Validation Workgroup, 2014 - 2016
Member, MD Anderson Division of Surgery Cancer Network Operations Committee, 2014 - Present
Member, Global Academic Programs Africa Steering Committee, 2012 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2018 | Texas Super Doctors |
| 2016 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Nominating Committee Candidate |
| 2016 | Baylor College of Medicine Inaugural Donald T. Donovan Excellence in Resident Education Award |
| 2015 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Honor Service Award |
| 2015 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Young Physicians Spotlight |
| 2015 | Tanzanian ENT Society Honorary Member |
| 2015 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Nominating Committee Candidate |
| 2014 | Texas Monthly Top Doctors |
| 2014 | America's Top Physicians |
| 2013 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Holt Leadership Award |
| 2011 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Spring Meeting Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2010 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2010 | Global ENT Outreach Farhangi/Asdaghi Scholarship for International Medical Service Projects |
| 2010 | Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Research Award |
| 2010 | Texas Association of Otolaryngology Research Award |
| 2010 | Hitoshi Nikaidoh Memorial Humanitarian Grant |
| 2010 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Humanitarian Grant |
| 2009 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2009 | Combined Otolaryngology Society Meeting Distinguished Poster and American Head and Neck Society Presidential Citation |
| 2009 | Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Research Award |
| 2009 | Texas Association of Otolaryngology Research Award |
| 2009 | Houston Surgical Society Research Award |
| 2009 | American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-In-Training Award Finalist |
| 2008 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2008 | American Head and Neck Society 7th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer Grant |
| 2008 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Board of Governors Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2008 | Houston Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Research Award |
| 2007 | American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting Resident Leadership Grant |
| 2007 | Memorial Hermann Hospital Medical Humanitarian Grant |
| 2005 | Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society |
| 2002 | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Summer Research Program Grant |
| 2001 | University of Texas Magna cum Laude, University Honors |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Gitomer SA, Hutcheson KA, Christianson BL, Samuelson MB, Barringer DA, Roberts DB, Hessel AC, Weber RS, Lewin JS, Zafereo ME. Influence of timing, radiation, and reconstruction on complications and speech outcomes with tracheoesophageal puncture. Head Neck 38(12):1765-1771, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27394060.
- Fuller CD, Mohamed AS, Garden AS, Gunn GB, Mulcahy CF, Zafereo M, Phan J, Lai SY, Lewin JS, Hutcheson KA, Frank SJ, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, El-Naggar AK, Kocak-Uzel E, Ginsberg LE, Kies MS, Weber RS, Rosenthal DI. Long-term outcomes after multidisciplinary management of T3 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas: Improved functional outcomes and survival with modern therapeutic approaches. Head Neck 38(12):1739-1751, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27466789.
- Kansara S, Johnson J, Bell D, Zafereo M. Head and Neck Inflammatory Pseudotumor: case series and review of the literature. Neuroradiol J 29(6):440-446, 2016. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 27650653.
- Phan J, Sio TT, Nguyen TP, Takiar V, Gunn GB, Garden AS, Rosenthal DI, Fuller CD, Morrison WH, Beadle B, Ma D, Zafereo ME, Hutcheson KA, Kupferman ME, William WN, Frank SJ. Reirradiation of Head and Neck Cancers With Proton Therapy: Outcomes and Analyses. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 96(1):30-41, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27325480.
- Takiar V, Garden AS, Ma D, Morrison WH, Edson M, Zafereo ME, Gunn GB, Fuller CD, Beadle B, Frank SJ, William WN, Kies M, El-Naggar AK, Weber R, Rosenthal DI, Phan J. Reirradiation of Head and Neck Cancers With Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: Outcomes and Analyses. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 95(4):1117-31, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27354127.
- Zafereo ME, Xu L, Dahlstrom KR, Viamonte CA, El-Naggar AK, Wei Q, Li G, Sturgis EM. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity often overexpresses p16 but is rarely driven by human papillomavirus. Oral Oncol 56:47-53, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27086486.
- Sandulache VC, Vandelaar LJ, Skinner HD, Cata J, Hutcheson K, Fuller CD, Phan J, Siddiqui Z, Lai SY, Weber RS, Zafereo ME. Salvage total laryngectomy after external-beam radiotherapy: A 20-year experience. Head Neck 38 Suppl 1:E1962-8, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26879395.
- Cata JP, Zafereo M, Villarreal J, Unruh BD, Truong A, Truong DT, Feng L, Gottumukkala V. Intraoperative opioids use for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma surgery and recurrence: a retrospective study. J Clin Anesth 27(8):672-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26371714.
- Tang C, Fuller CD, Garden AS, Awan MJ, Colen RR, Morrison WH, Frank SJ, Beadle BM, Phan J, Sturgis EM, Zafereo ME, Weber RS, Rosenthal DI, Gunn GB. Characteristics and kinetics of cervical lymph node regression after radiation therapy for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma: Quantitative image analysis of post-radiotherapy response. Oral Oncol 51(2):195-201, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25444304.
- Shehata M, Gombos D, Bishop J, Zafereo ME. Sinonasal melanoma arising from conjunctival primary acquired melanosis. BMJ Case Rep 2015, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25694640.
- Gan SJ, Dahlstrom KR, Peck BW, Caywood W, Li G, Wei Q, Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM. Incidence and pattern of second primary malignancies in patients with index oropharyngeal cancers versus index nonoropharyngeal head and neck cancers. Cancer 119(14):2593-601, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23605777.
- Peck BW, Dahlstrom KR, Gan SJ, Caywood W, Li G, Wei Q, Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM. Low risk of second primary malignancies among never smokers with human papillomavirus-associated index oropharyngeal cancers. Head Neck 35(6):794-9, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22711172.
- Rosenberg TL, Kelley K, Dowdall JR, Replogle WH, Liu JC, Raol NP, Zafereo ME. Section for residents and fellows-in-training survey results. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 148(4):582-8, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23396591.
- Xu L, Mugartegui L, Li G, Sarlis NJ, Wei Q, Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM. Functional polymorphisms in the insulin-like binding protein-3 gene may modulate susceptibility to differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Caucasian Americans. Mol Carcinog 51 Suppl 1:E 158-67, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22415807.
- 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, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21717430.
- 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, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21381012.
- Zafereo ME, Weber RS, Lewin JS, Roberts DB, Hanasono MM. Complications and functional outcomes following complex oropharyngeal reconstruction. Head Neck 32(8):1003-11, 2010. PMID: 19953614.
- 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, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20501759.
- 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, 2010. PMID: 20225330.
- 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, 2010. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19955391.
- 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, 2009. PMID: 19585505.
- 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, 2009. PMID: 19760612.
- 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, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19737985.
- 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, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19369580.
- 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, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19401526.
- Zafereo ME, Taylor RJ, Pereira KD. Supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia with obstructive sleep apnea. Laryngoscope 118(10):1873-7, 2008. PMID: 18641529.
- Zafereo ME, Pereira KD. Chronic retropharyngeal abscess presenting as obstructive sleep apnea. Pediatr Emerg Care 24(6):382-4, 2008. PMID: 18562883.
- 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, 2008. PMID: 18359353.
- 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, 2008. PMID: 17694557.
- 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, 2007. PMID: 17576904.
- Mitani Y, Liu B, Rao P, Borra V, Zafereo M, Weber RS, Kies MS, Lozano G, Futreal A, Caulin C, El-Naggar A. Novel MYBL1 gene rearrangements with recurrent MYBL1-NFIB fusions in salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas lacking t(6;9) translocations. Clin Cancer Res. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26631609.
Invited Articles
- Fagan J, Zafereo ME, Onakoya P. African Head and Neck Society (AfHNS) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Head and Neck Cancers. ENT & Audiology News, 2019.
- Maniakas A, Davies L, Zafereo ME. Thyroid Disease Around the World. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 51(3):631-642, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29548512.
- Cabanillas ME, Zafereo M, Williams MD, Renata Ferrarotto, Ramona Dadu, Neil Gross, G. Brandon Gunn, Heath Skinner, Gilbert Cote, Horiana B. Grosu, Priyanka Iyer, Naifa L. Busaidy. Recent advances and emerging therapies in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. F1000Research(7), 2018.
- Cabanillas ME, Zafereo M, Gunn GB, Ferrarotto R. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Treatment in the Age of Molecular Targeted Therapy. J Oncol Pract 12(6):511-8, 2016. PMID: 27288464.
- Zafereo M. Surgical salvage of recurrent cancer of the head and neck. Curr Oncol Rep 16(5):386, 2014. PMID: 24623521.
- Zafereo ME. Evaluation and staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx: limitations despite technological breakthroughs. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 46(4):599-613, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23910472.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- . Key Leader Core Team, MDACC Head and Neck Surgery online cancer treatment algorithms Larynx Cancer, 2015.
- . Key Leader Core Team, MDACC Head and Neck Surgery online cancer treatment algorithms Oral Cavity Cancer, 2015.
Other Articles
- Zafereo ME. Chronic ear disease in Zanzibar. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Bulletin(2):45, 2011.
- Zafereo, ME. The Next Generation of Head and Neck Surgeons: Opportunities and Challenges. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Bulletin(1):24, 2011.
- Zafereo, ME. Microtia surgery in Honduras. Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Bulletin(12):45, 2010.
- Zafereo, ME 2010 Section for Residents and Fellows Survey; Thoughts from Our Residents. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery-Bulletin(11):17, 2009.
Abstracts
- Sheu T, Garden AS, Fuller CD, Gunn GB, Nguyen T, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, Sio TT, Takiar V, Zafereo M, Rosenthal DI, Frank SJ, Phan J. Reirradiation Utilizing Proton Radiation Therapy May Improve Toxicity Free Survival in Patients With Small-Volume, Recurrent Head And Neck Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 96(2S):E331, 2016. PMID: 27674401.
- Mulcahy C, Mohamed AS, Weber R, Lai S, Fuller C, Rosenthal D, El-Naggar A, Hutcheson K, Gunn B, Garden A, Kies M, Lewin J, Morrison W, Zafereo M.. Comorbidity and Survival in Locally Advanced Laryngeal Cancer, 2016.
Book Chapters
- Lim M, Zafereo M, Grubbs E. Locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. In: Management of Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Practical Guide. Springer, 2016.
- Zafereo ME, Weber RS. Thyroid Cancer. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2017. 69th edition. Elsevier, 2016.
- Zafereo ME, Beadle B, Weber RS. Carcinoma Of Oropharynx. In: Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence: Evidence-based Multidisciplinary Management. Thieme, 2012.
- Holsinger FC, Zafereo ME, Chung WY. Robotic Thyroidectomy: A Transaxillary Approach without CO2 Insufflation. In: Cohen & Clayman: Atlas of Head and Neck Surgery, 2011.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Establishing Dietary Correlates of IGF-1 Ligand Expression in Cancer patients |
| Funding Source: | Riviera Country Club, Orland Park, Illinois |
| Role: | Collaborator |