Nicole I Farber, MD Otolaryngology in Hackensack, NJ

Nicole Farber, M.D., is a board certified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon specializing in the comprehensive treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck. Her clinical expertise includes cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, skin, salivary glands, thyroid, and parathyroid glands. Dr. Farber has advanced expertise in head and neck reconstruction, including local and regional flaps and microvascular free tissue transfer, allowing her to provide both cancer removal and complex reconstruction as part of a comprehensive surgical approach. She also specializes in the treatment and reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial trauma, including complex facial fractures and soft-tissue injuries.

Dr. Farber received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She went on to complete an otolaryngology residency from the University of California-Davis. She completed advanced fellowship training in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also received extensive training in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

In her free time, Dr. Farber enjoys cooking meals with her loved ones and traveling the world. 

Clinical Interests:

•  Benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck 
•  Transoral robotic surgery (TORS)
•  Complex head and neck reconstruction using microvascular free tissue transfer
•  Craniomaxillofacial trauma
•  Tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid glands, skin, and other areas of the head and neck
•  General ear, nose, and throat conditions

Procedures:

1. Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction

Head & Neck Cancer / Tumor Surgery

•     Oral cavity cancer resection
•     Oropharyngeal cancer resection (tonsil and base-of-tongue resection)
•     Transoral robotic surgery (TORS)
•     Neck dissection and excisional lymph node biopsy
•     Glossectomy — partial, hemiglossectomy, or total
•     Mandibulectomy — marginal and segmental
•     Maxillectomy
•     Composite resection of oral cavity tumors
•     Laryngectomy — partial and total

Salivary Gland & Neck Surgery

•     Parotidectomy
•     Submandibular gland excision
•     Minor salivary gland tumor excision
•     Branchial cleft cyst excision
•     Thyroglossal duct cyst excision

Endocrine Head & Neck Surgery

•     Thyroidectomy
•     Thyroid lobectomy
•     Completion thyroidectomy
•     Central and lateral neck dissection for thyroid cancer
•     Parathyroidectomy

Cutaneous Head & Neck Oncology

•     Resection of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
•     Resection of melanoma and other skin cancers of the head and neck
•     Regional lymph node dissection for cutaneous malignancy
•     Sentinel lymph node biopsy
•     Reconstruction of complex head and neck cutaneous defects

Head & Neck Reconstruction / Microvascular Surgery

•     Microvascular free-flap reconstruction including:
•     Fibula free flap
•     Radial forearm free flap
•     Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap
•     Scapular/parascapular free flap
•     Local tissue flaps
•     Regional pedicled flaps, including pectoralis major and supraclavicular flaps
•     Skin grafting

Craniomaxillofacial Trauma

•     Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of facial fractures
•     Mandible fracture repair
•     Zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture repair
•     Orbital fracture repair
•     Midface fracture repair
•     Naso-orbito-ethmoid fracture repair
•     Frontal sinus fracture management
•     Complex facial soft-tissue repair and reconstruction

2. General Otolaryngology / ENT Procedures Ear

•     Myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement
•     Cerumen removal
•     Ear foreign-body removal
•     Excision of external ear lesions
•     Repair of earlobe/auricular defects
•     Tympanoplasty
•     Temporal bone resections

Nose & Sinus

•     Septoplasty
•     Inferior turbinate reduction
•     Nasal polypectomy
•     Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)
•     Endoscopic maxillary antrostomy
•     Ethmoidectomy
•     Sphenoidotomy
•     Frontal sinusotomy
•     Nasal fracture reduction
•     Control of epistaxis
•     Nasal and sinus biopsies
•     Endoscopic evaluation of the nasal cavity and sinuses

Throat / Airway / Voice & Swallowing

•     Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy
•     Direct laryngoscopy
•     Microlaryngoscopy
•     Biopsy of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal lesions
•     Vocal cord lesion excision*
•     Esophagoscopy and esophageal dilations
•     Bronchoscopy
•     Tracheostomy
•     Tonsillectomy
•     Adenoidectomy
•     Tonsil and throat biopsies
•     Evaluation and procedural management of dysphagia and voice disorders

FAQ:

“What are my treatment options, and how do I know which one is right for me?”

Head and neck cancers can often be treated in several different ways, including surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, or a combination of treatments. Dr. Farber makes sure patients understand all of their options, including the benefits and tradeoffs of each, and then works to choose a treatment plan that provides the best oncologic outcome while reflecting what is most important to them.

“How will surgery affect my quality of life—will I still be able to speak, swallow, eat, and look like myself?”

These are some of the most important concerns patients have, and they are central to how Dr. Farber plans treatment. Her goal is not only to successfully treat the cancer, but also to preserve or restore function, appearance, and quality of life whenever possible. Advanced reconstructive techniques, including microvascular free-flap reconstruction, rebuild complex areas of the head and neck and help patients return to the activities that are important to them.

“Is there a less invasive way to treat my cancer?”

Whenever appropriate, Dr. Farber considers minimally invasive approaches that may reduce the impact of treatment without compromising cancer control. For select head and neck cancers, this can include transoral robotic surgery (TORS), which allows access and removal of certain tumors through the mouth without external incisions. The best approach is highly individualized, and Dr. Farber works with each patient to determine whether robotic, open, or nonsurgical treatment is most appropriate for their particular cancer and goals.