The Patient Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.
Stay Connected. Manage Your Care.
Access your health information anytime and anywhere, at home or on the go, with MyHealth.
- Message your clinic
- View your lab results
- Schedule your next appointment
- Pay your bill
The MyHealth mobile app from Stanford Health Care puts all your health information at your fingertips and makes managing your health care simple and quick.
Guest Services
24/7
We are available to assist you
whenever you need it. Give us a call at
650-498-3333 or
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Have a question? We're here to help! Call 1-866-742-4811
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
REFER A PATIENT
Fax 650-320-9443
Track your patients' progress and communicate with Stanford providers conveniently and securely.
John B. Sunwoo
Head and neck surgical oncologist, Head and neck surgeon, Cutaneous oncology specialist, Dermato-oncology specialist, Thyroid and parathyroid surgeon, Surgical oncologist
Practice Areas
Professional Education
- Postdoc Research Fellowship, Washington University, Immunology (2008)
- Residency: Washington University School Of Medicine (2003) MO
- Medical Education: Washington University School Of Medicine (1993) MO
- Board Certification: Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology (2004)
- Fellowship: National Institutes of Health (2000) MD
- M.D., Washington University, Medicine (1993)
- Sc.B., Brown University, Biochemistry (1989)
Honors & Awards
- Sigma Xi, Brown University (1989)
- Louis and Dorothy Kovitz Prize in Surgery, Washington University (1993)
- Resident Research Award, Washington University (1997, 1999, 2000)
- Young Investigator Award, American Head and Neck Society (2000)
- Alpha Omega Alpha, Washington University (2003)
- Chief Resident Teaching Award, Washington University (2003)
- K08 Award, National Institutes of Health (2004)
- Faculty Teacher of the Year, Dept. of Otolaryngology, Stanford University (2012)
- Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2013, 2014)
- Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Administrative Appointments
- Member, Tumor Biology & Imaging Task Force, Head and Neck Steering Committee of the National Cancer Institute, NIH (2010 - 2011)
- Member, CORE Grants Study Section, American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (2009 - Present)
- Member, Research Committee, American Head and Neck Society (2010 - 2013)
- Member, Metastatic and Recurrent Head and Neck Disease Task Force, Head and Neck Steering Committee of the National Cancer Institute, NIH (2011 - Present)
- Member, Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program, Stanford University School of Medicine (2011 - Present)
- Co-Director, Thyroid and Parathyroid Tumor Board, Stanford University School of Medicine (2011 - Present)
- Director of Head and Neck Cancer Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Dept. of Otolaryngology (2013 - Present)
Publications
-
Targeting Toll-like receptor 2 inhibits growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Farnebo, L., Shahangian, A., Lee, Y., Shin, J. H., Scheeren, F. A., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2015). Targeting Toll-like receptor 2 inhibits growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ONCOTARGET, 6(12), 9897-9907. -
Regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis in T cells: requirement for GTP and Ebp1
Le Xuan Truong Nguyen, L. Xt., Lee, Y., Urbani, L., Utz, P. J., Hamburger, A. W., & Mitchell, B. S. (2015). Regulation of ribosomal RNA synthesis in T cells: requirement for GTP and Ebp1. BLOOD, 125(16), 2519-2529. -
CCR 20th anniversary commentary: Preclinical study of proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in head and neck cancer.
Allen, C. T., Conley, B., Sunwoo, J. B., & Van Waes, C. (2015). CCR 20th anniversary commentary: Preclinical study of proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in head and neck cancer. Clinical cancer research , 21(5), 942-943. -
Ameloblastoma: a clinical review and trends in management.
McClary, A. C., West, R. B., McClary, A. C., Pollack, J. R., Fischbein, N. J., & Sirjani, D. (2015). Ameloblastoma: a clinical review and trends in management. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
-
Aberrant Lymphatic Drainage and Risk for Melanoma Recurrence after Negative Sentinel Node Biopsy in Middle-aged and Older Men.
Kaveh, A. H., Seminara, N. M., Barnes, M. A., Berger, A. J., Chen, F. W., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2015). Aberrant Lymphatic Drainage and Risk for Melanoma Recurrence after Negative Sentinel Node Biopsy in Middle-aged and Older Men. Head & neck.
-
Tumor Ulceration does not Fully Explain Sex Disparities in Melanoma Survival among Adolescents and Young Adults.
Keegan, T. H., Swetter, S. M., Tao, L., Sunwoo, J. B., & Clarke, C. A. (2015). Tumor Ulceration does not Fully Explain Sex Disparities in Melanoma Survival among Adolescents and Young Adults. The Journal of investigative dermatology.
-
CD271 is a functional and targetable marker of tumor-initiating cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Murillo-Sauca, O., Chung, M. K., Shin, J. H., Karamboulas, C., Kwok, S., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2014). CD271 is a functional and targetable marker of tumor-initiating cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ONCOTARGET, 5(16), 6854-6866.
-
Targeting CD137 enhances the efficacy of cetuximab.
Kohrt, H. E., Colevas, A. D., Houot, R., Weiskopf, K., Goldstein, M. J., & Levy, R. (2014). Targeting CD137 enhances the efficacy of cetuximab. journal of clinical investigation, 124(6), 2668-2682.
-
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) Protein Induction of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Wang, L., Tian, W.-D., Xu, X., Nie, B., Lu, J., & Li, X.-P. (2014). Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) Protein Induction of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells. CANCER, 120(3), 363-372.
-
Cancer Immunosurveillance and Immunoediting by Natural Killer Cells
Gross, E., Sunwoo, J. B., & Bui, J. D. (2013). Cancer Immunosurveillance and Immunoediting by Natural Killer Cells. CANCER JOURNAL, 19(6), 483-489.
-
Modulation of natural killer cell antitumor activity by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Shin, J. H., Zhang, L., Murillo-Sauca, O., Kim, J., Kohrt, H. Ek., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2013). Modulation of natural killer cell antitumor activity by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 110(30), 12391-12396.
-
Impact of positron emission tomography/computed tomography surveillance at 12 and 24 months for detecting head and neck cancer recurrence
Ho, A. S., Tsao, G. J., Chen, F. W., Shen, T., Kaplan, M. J., & Yao, M. (2013). Impact of positron emission tomography/computed tomography surveillance at 12 and 24 months for detecting head and neck cancer recurrence. CANCER, 119(7), 1349-1356.
-
Epigenetically mediated pathogenic effects of phenanthrene on regulatory T cells.
Liu, J., Zhang, L., Winterroth, L. C., Garcia, M., Weiman, S., & Nadeau, K. C. (2013). Epigenetically mediated pathogenic effects of phenanthrene on regulatory T cells. Journal of toxicology, 2013, 967029-?.
-
Identification of human NK cells that are deficient for signaling adaptor FcR gamma and specialized for antibody-dependent immune functions
Hwang, I., Zhang, T., Scott, J. M., Kim, A. R., Lee, T., & Kim, S. (2012). Identification of human NK cells that are deficient for signaling adaptor FcR gamma and specialized for antibody-dependent immune functions. INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY, 24(12), 793-802.
-
CD44+cells have cancer stem cell-like properties in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Janisiewicz, A. M., Shin, J. H., Murillo-Sauca, O., Kwok, S., Quynh-Thu Le, Q. T., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2012). CD44+cells have cancer stem cell-like properties in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY, 2(6), 465-470.
-
The manipulation of natural killer cells to target tumor sites using magnetic nanoparticles
Jang, E.-S., Shin, J.-H., Ren, G., Park, M.-J., Cheng, K., & Cheng, Z. (2012). The manipulation of natural killer cells to target tumor sites using magnetic nanoparticles. BIOMATERIALS, 33(22), 5584-5592.
-
Effect of stimulation of natural killer cells with an anti-CD137 mAb on the efficacy of trastuzumab, cetuximab, and rituximab
Kohrt, H. E., Houot, R., Weiskopf, K., Goldstein, M., Lund, P., & Levy, R. (2012). Effect of stimulation of natural killer cells with an anti-CD137 mAb on the efficacy of trastuzumab, cetuximab, and rituximab. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, 30(15).
-
The CD47-signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPa) interaction is a therapeutic target for human solid tumors
Willingham, S. B., Volkmer, J.-P., Gentles, A. J., Sahoo, D., Dalerba, P., & Weissman, I. L. (2012). The CD47-signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPa) interaction is a therapeutic target for human solid tumors. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 109(17), 6662-6667.
-
Targeted endoscopic salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Ho, A. S., Kaplan, M. J., Fee, W. E., Yao, M., Sunwoo, J. B., & Hwang, P. H. (2012). Targeted endoscopic salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY, 2(2), 166-173.
-
ERK1/2 Regulation of CD44 Modulates Oral Cancer Aggressiveness
Judd, N. P., Winkler, A. E., Murillo-Sauca, O., Brotman, J. J., Law, J. H., & Uppaluri, R. (2012). ERK1/2 Regulation of CD44 Modulates Oral Cancer Aggressiveness. CANCER RESEARCH, 72(1), 365-374.
-
A cisplatin-resistant subpopulation of mesenchymal-like cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Sunwoo, J. B. (2011). A cisplatin-resistant subpopulation of mesenchymal-like cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. CELL CYCLE, 10(17), 2834-2835.
-
Distal-less homeobox transcription factors regulate development and maturation of natural killer cells
Sunwoo, J. B., Kim, S., Yang, L., Naik, T., Higuchi, D. A., & Yokoyama, W. M. (2008). Distal-less homeobox transcription factors regulate development and maturation of natural killer cells. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 105(31), 10877-10882.
-
Temporal Relationship Between Antitumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Antibody Therapy and Recrudescence of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Engel, S. H., Hullar, T. E., Adkins, D. R., Thorstad, W. L., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2008). Temporal Relationship Between Antitumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Antibody Therapy and Recrudescence of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. LARYNGOSCOPE, 118(3), 450-452.
-
HLA alleles determine differences in human natural killer cell responsiveness and potency
Kim, S., Sunwoo, J. B., Yang, L., Choi, T., Song, Y.-J., & Yokoyama, W. M. (2008). HLA alleles determine differences in human natural killer cell responsiveness and potency. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 105(8), 3053-3058.
-
Spontaneous regression of cutaneous head and neck melanoma: Implications for the immunologic control of neoplasia
Dunn, G. P., Lewis, J. S., Sunwoo, J. B., & Uppaluri, R. (2008). Spontaneous regression of cutaneous head and neck melanoma: Implications for the immunologic control of neoplasia. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 30(2), 267-272.
-
Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery - Case report and review of the literature
Dunn, G. P., Uppaluri, R., Hessler, J. L., Layland, M. K., Derdeyn, C. P., & Sunwoo, J. B. (2007). Mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the internal maxillary artery - Case report and review of the literature. ARCHIVES OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY, 133(4), 402-406.
-
Arrested natural killer cell development associated with transgene insertion into the Atf2 locus
Kim, S., Song, Y. J., Higuchi, D. A., Kang, H. P., Pratt, J. R., & Yokoyama, W. M. (2006). Arrested natural killer cell development associated with transgene insertion into the Atf2 locus. BLOOD, 107(3), 1024-1030.
-
Inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B and target genes during combined therapy with proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and reirradiation in patients with recurrent head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma
Van Waes, C., Chang, A. A., Lebowitz, P. F., Druzgal, C. H., Chen, Z., & Conley, B. A. (2005). Inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B and target genes during combined therapy with proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and reirradiation in patients with recurrent head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 63(5), 1400-1412.
-
Licensing of natural killer cells by host major histocompatibility complex class I molecules
Kim, S., Poursine-Laurent, J., Truscott, S. M., Lybarger, L., Song, Y. J., & Yokoyama, W. M. (2005). Licensing of natural killer cells by host major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. NATURE, 436(7051), 709-713.
-
Nuclear factor-kappa B is an important modulator of the altered gene expression profile and malignant phenotype in squamous cell carcinoma
Loercher, A., Lee, T. L., Ricker, J. L., Howard, A., Geoghegen, J., & Van Waes, C. (2004). Nuclear factor-kappa B is an important modulator of the altered gene expression profile and malignant phenotype in squamous cell carcinoma. CANCER RESEARCH, 64(18), 6511-6523.
-
Effects of pharmacologic antagonists of epidermal growth factor receptor, PI3K and MEK signal kinases on NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation and IL-8 and VEGF expression in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma lines
Bancroft, C. C., Chen, Z., Yeh, J., Sunwoo, J. B., Yeh, N. T., & Van Waes, C. (2002). Effects of pharmacologic antagonists of epidermal growth factor receptor, PI3K and MEK signal kinases on NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation and IL-8 and VEGF expression in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma lines. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, 99(4), 538-548.
-
Transcript map of the 8p23 putative tumor suppressor region
Sun, P. C., Uppaluri, R., Schmidt, A. P., Pashia, M. E., Quant, E. C., & Scholnick, S. B. (2001). Transcript map of the 8p23 putative tumor suppressor region. GENOMICS, 75(1-3), 17-25.
-
IL (interleukin)-1 alpha promotes nuclear factor-kappa B and AP-1-induced IL-8 expression, cell survival, and proliferation in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Wolf, J. S., Chen, Z., Dong, G., Sunwoo, J. B., Bancroft, C. C., & Van Waes, C. (2001). IL (interleukin)-1 alpha promotes nuclear factor-kappa B and AP-1-induced IL-8 expression, cell survival, and proliferation in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 7(6), 1812-1820.
-
Novel proteasome inhibitor PS-341 inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, cell survival, tumor growth, and angiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma
Sunwoo, J. B., Chen, Z., Dong, G., Yeh, N., Bancroft, C. G., & Van Waes, C. (2001). Novel proteasome inhibitor PS-341 inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, cell survival, tumor growth, and angiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 7(5), 1419-1428.
-
Coexpression of proangiogenic factors IL-8 and VEGF by human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involves coactivation by MEK-MAPK and IKK-NF-kappa B signal pathways
Bancroft, C. C., Chen, Z., Dong, G., Sunwoo, J. B., Yeh, N., & Van Waes, C. (2001). Coexpression of proangiogenic factors IL-8 and VEGF by human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma involves coactivation by MEK-MAPK and IKK-NF-kappa B signal pathways. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 7(2), 435-442.
-
Concurrent paclitaxel and radiation in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer
Sunwoo, J. B., Herscher, L. L., Kroog, G. S., Thomas, G. R., Ondrey, F. G., & Van Waes, C. (2001). Concurrent paclitaxel and radiation in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, 19(3), 800-811.
-
Homozygous deletions define a region of 8p23.2 containing a putative tumor suppressor gene
Sun, P. C., Schmidt, A. P., Pashia, M. E., Sunwoo, J. B., & Scholnick, S. B. (1999). Homozygous deletions define a region of 8p23.2 containing a putative tumor suppressor gene. GENOMICS, 62(2), 184-188.
-
Multiple regions of deletion on chromosome arm 13q in head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma
Gupta, V. K., Schmidt, A. P., Pashia, M. E., Sunwoo, J. B., & Scholnick, S. B. (1999). Multiple regions of deletion on chromosome arm 13q in head-and-neck squamous-cell carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, 84(5), 453-457.
-
Constitutive activation of transcription factors NF-kappa B, AP-1, and NF-IL6 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines that express pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines
Ondrey, F. G., Dong, G., Sunwoo, J., Chen, Z., Wolf, J. S., & Van Waes, C. (1999). Constitutive activation of transcription factors NF-kappa B, AP-1, and NF-IL6 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines that express pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines. MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, 26(2), 119-129.
-
Localization of a putative tumor suppressor gene in the sub-telomeric region of chromosome 8p
Sunwoo, J. B., Sun, P. C., Gupta, V. K., Schmidt, A. P., El-Mofty, S., & Scholnick, S. B. (1999). Localization of a putative tumor suppressor gene in the sub-telomeric region of chromosome 8p. ONCOGENE, 18(16), 2651-2655.
-
Clinical correlations with allelotype in supraglottic squamous cancer
Scholnick, S. B., El-Mofty, S. K., Shaw, M. E., Sunwoo, J. B., Haughey, B. H., & Zequeira, M. R. (1998). Clinical correlations with allelotype in supraglottic squamous cancer. OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY, 118(3), 363-370.
-
Chromosome 8 allelic loss and the outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx
Scholnick, S. B., Haughey, B. H., Sunwoo, J. B., ELMOFTY, S. K., Baty, J. D., & Zequeira, M. R. (1996). Chromosome 8 allelic loss and the outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, 88(22), 1676-1682.
-
Evidence for multiple tumor suppressor genes on chromosome arm 8p in supraglottic laryngeal cancer
Sunwoo, J. B., Holt, M. S., Radford, D. M., Deeker, C., & Scholnick, S. B. (1996). Evidence for multiple tumor suppressor genes on chromosome arm 8p in supraglottic laryngeal cancer. GENES CHROMOSOMES & CANCER, 16(3), 164-169.
-
CELL-CYCLE OSCILLATION OF PHOSPHATASE INHIBITOR-2 IN RAT FIBROBLASTS COINCIDENT WITH P34CDC2 RESTRICTION
Brautigan, D. L., Sunwoo, J., Labbe, J. C., Fernandez, A., & Lamb, N. Jc. (1990). CELL-CYCLE OSCILLATION OF PHOSPHATASE INHIBITOR-2 IN RAT FIBROBLASTS COINCIDENT WITH P34CDC2 RESTRICTION. NATURE, 344(6261), 74-78.
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.
Patient Comments
Patients comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
Dr. Sunwoo never seems to be in a hurry. He is a great dr. and does beautiful work.
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
Could not ask for more.
SHC Patient, Jun 2015
I'm very pleased.
SHC Patient, May 2015
My care under Dr. Sunwoo has been excellent.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Good.
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Very concerned about follow-on care.
SHC Patient, Nov 2014
Dr. Sunwoo is an all around FABULOUS dr.!
SHC Patient, Sep 2014
The PA took so much time with us and spoke so well of the doctor. PA also shared some info and encouragement that the doctor eventually shared.
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
Dr. Sunwoo was kind & positive about a scary medical condition one of the best drs. I've ever been to.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
Care provided was excellent! Thank you.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
I was very impressed with Dr. Sunwoo. He was so clear in his explanation of my health care & problem.
SHC Patient, Jan 2014
Long drive and limited available scheduling.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
Dr. Sunwoo never seems to be in a hurry. He is a great dr. and does beautiful work.
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
Could not ask for more.
SHC Patient, Jun 2015
I'm very pleased.
SHC Patient, May 2015
My care under Dr. Sunwoo has been excellent.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Good.
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Very concerned about follow-on care.
SHC Patient, Nov 2014
Dr. Sunwoo is an all around FABULOUS dr.!
SHC Patient, Sep 2014
The PA took so much time with us and spoke so well of the doctor. PA also shared some info and encouragement that the doctor eventually shared.
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
Dr. Sunwoo was kind & positive about a scary medical condition one of the best drs. I've ever been to.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
Care provided was excellent! Thank you.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
I was very impressed with Dr. Sunwoo. He was so clear in his explanation of my health care & problem.
SHC Patient, Jan 2014
Long drive and limited available scheduling.