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https://mychart.wellstar.org/mychart/signupandschedule/embeddedschedule?vt=1003&id=1255774998&view=plain

Fiyin Sokoya, MD

Specialties

Otolaryngology
Facial Plastic Surgery

Education & Training

Doctor of Medicine

Book an appointment Meet Dr. Fiyin Sokoya

Fiyin Sokoya, MD

Otolaryngologist with Wellstar since 2020.

Specialties

Otolaryngology
Facial Plastic Surgery

Education & Training

Doctor of Medicine

Otolaryngologist with Wellstar since 2020
  • Member of the Wellstar Medical Group A friendly photo of Fiyin Sokoya, MD Fiyin Sokoya, MD
  • Office Locations
  • Expertise
  • Patient Reviews
  • Publications & Articles

Office Locations


Expertise

About Fiyin Sokoya, MD

Dr. Sokoya is a fellowship-trained, double board certified head and neck oncological and facial plastic surgeon. He’s been with Wellstar since 2020.

Dr. Sokoya graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a bachelor’s degree in biology and earned his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington. He completed his residency and training with an internship in Otolaryngology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He then was selected to complete a fellowship in Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with Dr. Yadro Ducic at Baylor Health Systems Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Sokoya has extensive training in all aspects of head and neck cancer and facial plastic surgery including free tissue transfer. He has more than 40 publications and has presented at regional and national conferences.

Double Board Certification:
American Board of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Meet Dr. Fiyin Sokoya

Specialties

  • Otolaryngology
  • Facial Plastic Surgery

Education & Training

  • University of Kentucky School of Medicine/Dentistry

Degree

  • Doctor of Medicine

Residency

  • University of Colorado

Certifications

  • American Board of Otolaryngology - ENT

Hospital Affiliations

  • Wellstar North Fulton Hospital
  • Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital
  • Wellstar Kennestone Hospital

Languages spoken

  • English

Common Treatments, Conditions, and Procedures

  • Airway Problems
  • Ear Disorders
  • Facial Plastic Surgery
  • Nasal and Sinus Disorders
  • Nasal Surgery
  • Sinus Infection
  • Sinus Surgery
  • Tonsillectomy

Patient Reviews

Overall patient rating

4.6

Based on 145 patient ratings

I'd recommend this practice to family and friends
I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
Listened to me carefully
Shared the right amount of information
Earned my trust

All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.

Patient Reviews

5

Dr. Sokoya is an awesome surgeon. He's caring. He cares about all his patients. And he is just awesome.

May 2, 2025

5

From the front Desk to the Doctor every body treat me good and very nice Ty very much and being helpful ?

May 2, 2025

5

I had to wait a really long time

April 17, 2025

5

I was definitely satisfied. I got in and out. I'm a very professional staff, nurse, doctor. I really did appreciate everything. Thank you so much.

February 15, 2025

5

Always polite, friendly, helpful. They make visits to the doctor go smoothly.

February 1, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya and staff were concerned, capable, courteous and professional.

February 1, 2025

5

Everyone is very kind and professional. Dr. Sokoya was excellent.

January 19, 2025

4

Waiting time. Seems everyone that came in after me was seen before me. The front office receptionist noticed, and checked. I was called shortly after.

December 22, 2024

5

I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors that are taking care of me.they are the best. Thanks so much.

December 15, 2024

5

Very knowledgeable doctor and listener.

December 7, 2024

5

Great experience. Professional and patient team Thanks

December 7, 2024

5

The doctor and everyone at that office are just wonderful in every way. I think highly of them and would recommend them to family and friends.

December 7, 2024

5

Short waiting time to see Dr. Staff were great, kind courteous and friendly. Dr Sokoya is wonderful. Great bedside manner.

November 22, 2024

5

Doctor was informative and thorough.

November 16, 2024

5

When you have the best, you avoid the rest. Everyone there seems to truly care about their patients. Many places don't take the time to see what is truly on the patient's mind. Here they ask you many times do you have any questions? Then they answer them.

November 10, 2024

5

Their professionalism and good treatment of patients are very good and they always help you at all times.

November 3, 2024

5

Let y'all know after my surgery.

October 20, 2024

5

The doctor,nurses, and office staff are all very nice, helpful and professional.

October 19, 2024

5

Extremely pleased with Dr. Sokoya and his staff!

October 6, 2024

5

Very satisfied with Dr being proactive and all his staff!

October 5, 2024

5

What a refreshing pleasure to visit an office where from beginning to end everyone was pleasant and helpful.

September 22, 2024

5

Felt very good while listening to Dr sokoya in detail about the risks and cure and the diagnostics

September 20, 2024

5

Very professional! Staff warm and eager to help,

September 20, 2024

5

Very friendly and caring people!

September 15, 2024

5

Excellent

August 22, 2024

5

Dr Sokoya is very personable and his staff is very friendly and very welcoming.

August 15, 2024

5

I believe so much in Dr. Sokoya because I was profiled from another well star that is in Paulding, Dallas to him and the doctor that is the best for the job. Thank you.

August 7, 2024

2

Did not understand the extra copay. Shouldn't be. Happening

July 18, 2024

3

Wait time to see the doctor was long and I feel like we just got moved to another doctor because of what's wrong with me and

July 15, 2024

5

Everyone is kind and patient. Also very timely.

July 13, 2024

5

Dr. Sokoya is an awesome surgeon. He's caring. He cares about all his patients. And he is just awesome.

May 2, 2025

5

From the front Desk to the Doctor every body treat me good and very nice Ty very much and being helpful ?

May 2, 2025

5

I had to wait a really long time

April 17, 2025

5

I was definitely satisfied. I got in and out. I'm a very professional staff, nurse, doctor. I really did appreciate everything. Thank you so much.

February 15, 2025

5

Always polite, friendly, helpful. They make visits to the doctor go smoothly.

February 1, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya and staff were concerned, capable, courteous and professional.

February 1, 2025

5

Everyone is very kind and professional. Dr. Sokoya was excellent.

January 19, 2025

5

I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors that are taking care of me.they are the best. Thanks so much.

December 15, 2024

5

Very knowledgeable doctor and listener.

December 7, 2024

5

Great experience. Professional and patient team Thanks

December 7, 2024

5

The doctor and everyone at that office are just wonderful in every way. I think highly of them and would recommend them to family and friends.

December 7, 2024

5

Short waiting time to see Dr. Staff were great, kind courteous and friendly. Dr Sokoya is wonderful. Great bedside manner.

November 22, 2024

5

Doctor was informative and thorough.

November 16, 2024

5

When you have the best, you avoid the rest. Everyone there seems to truly care about their patients. Many places don't take the time to see what is truly on the patient's mind. Here they ask you many times do you have any questions? Then they answer them.

November 10, 2024

5

Their professionalism and good treatment of patients are very good and they always help you at all times.

November 3, 2024

5

Let y'all know after my surgery.

October 20, 2024

5

The doctor,nurses, and office staff are all very nice, helpful and professional.

October 19, 2024

5

Extremely pleased with Dr. Sokoya and his staff!

October 6, 2024

5

Very satisfied with Dr being proactive and all his staff!

October 5, 2024

5

What a refreshing pleasure to visit an office where from beginning to end everyone was pleasant and helpful.

September 22, 2024

5

Felt very good while listening to Dr sokoya in detail about the risks and cure and the diagnostics

September 20, 2024

5

Very professional! Staff warm and eager to help,

September 20, 2024

5

Very friendly and caring people!

September 15, 2024

5

Excellent

August 22, 2024

5

Dr Sokoya is very personable and his staff is very friendly and very welcoming.

August 15, 2024

5

I believe so much in Dr. Sokoya because I was profiled from another well star that is in Paulding, Dallas to him and the doctor that is the best for the job. Thank you.

August 7, 2024

5

Everyone is kind and patient. Also very timely.

July 13, 2024

4

Waiting time. Seems everyone that came in after me was seen before me. The front office receptionist noticed, and checked. I was called shortly after.

December 22, 2024

3

Wait time to see the doctor was long and I feel like we just got moved to another doctor because of what's wrong with me and

July 15, 2024

2

Did not understand the extra copay. Shouldn't be. Happening

July 18, 2024

2

Did not understand the extra copay. Shouldn't be. Happening

July 18, 2024

3

Wait time to see the doctor was long and I feel like we just got moved to another doctor because of what's wrong with me and

July 15, 2024

4

Waiting time. Seems everyone that came in after me was seen before me. The front office receptionist noticed, and checked. I was called shortly after.

December 22, 2024

5

Dr. Sokoya is an awesome surgeon. He's caring. He cares about all his patients. And he is just awesome.

May 2, 2025

5

From the front Desk to the Doctor every body treat me good and very nice Ty very much and being helpful ?

May 2, 2025

5

I had to wait a really long time

April 17, 2025

5

I was definitely satisfied. I got in and out. I'm a very professional staff, nurse, doctor. I really did appreciate everything. Thank you so much.

February 15, 2025

5

Always polite, friendly, helpful. They make visits to the doctor go smoothly.

February 1, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya and staff were concerned, capable, courteous and professional.

February 1, 2025

5

Everyone is very kind and professional. Dr. Sokoya was excellent.

January 19, 2025

5

I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors that are taking care of me.they are the best. Thanks so much.

December 15, 2024

5

Very knowledgeable doctor and listener.

December 7, 2024

5

Great experience. Professional and patient team Thanks

December 7, 2024

5

The doctor and everyone at that office are just wonderful in every way. I think highly of them and would recommend them to family and friends.

December 7, 2024

5

Short waiting time to see Dr. Staff were great, kind courteous and friendly. Dr Sokoya is wonderful. Great bedside manner.

November 22, 2024

5

Doctor was informative and thorough.

November 16, 2024

5

When you have the best, you avoid the rest. Everyone there seems to truly care about their patients. Many places don't take the time to see what is truly on the patient's mind. Here they ask you many times do you have any questions? Then they answer them.

November 10, 2024

5

Their professionalism and good treatment of patients are very good and they always help you at all times.

November 3, 2024

5

Let y'all know after my surgery.

October 20, 2024

5

The doctor,nurses, and office staff are all very nice, helpful and professional.

October 19, 2024

5

Extremely pleased with Dr. Sokoya and his staff!

October 6, 2024

5

Very satisfied with Dr being proactive and all his staff!

October 5, 2024

5

What a refreshing pleasure to visit an office where from beginning to end everyone was pleasant and helpful.

September 22, 2024

5

Felt very good while listening to Dr sokoya in detail about the risks and cure and the diagnostics

September 20, 2024

5

Very professional! Staff warm and eager to help,

September 20, 2024

5

Very friendly and caring people!

September 15, 2024

5

Excellent

August 22, 2024

5

Dr Sokoya is very personable and his staff is very friendly and very welcoming.

August 15, 2024

5

I believe so much in Dr. Sokoya because I was profiled from another well star that is in Paulding, Dallas to him and the doctor that is the best for the job. Thank you.

August 7, 2024

5

Everyone is kind and patient. Also very timely.

July 13, 2024

5

Dr. Sokoya is an awesome surgeon. He's caring. He cares about all his patients. And he is just awesome.

May 2, 2025

5

From the front Desk to the Doctor every body treat me good and very nice Ty very much and being helpful ?

May 2, 2025

5

I had to wait a really long time

April 17, 2025

5

I was definitely satisfied. I got in and out. I'm a very professional staff, nurse, doctor. I really did appreciate everything. Thank you so much.

February 15, 2025

5

Always polite, friendly, helpful. They make visits to the doctor go smoothly.

February 1, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya and staff were concerned, capable, courteous and professional.

February 1, 2025

5

Everyone is very kind and professional. Dr. Sokoya was excellent.

January 19, 2025

4

Waiting time. Seems everyone that came in after me was seen before me. The front office receptionist noticed, and checked. I was called shortly after.

December 22, 2024

5

I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors that are taking care of me.they are the best. Thanks so much.

December 15, 2024

5

Very knowledgeable doctor and listener.

December 7, 2024

5

Great experience. Professional and patient team Thanks

December 7, 2024

5

The doctor and everyone at that office are just wonderful in every way. I think highly of them and would recommend them to family and friends.

December 7, 2024

5

Short waiting time to see Dr. Staff were great, kind courteous and friendly. Dr Sokoya is wonderful. Great bedside manner.

November 22, 2024

5

Doctor was informative and thorough.

November 16, 2024

5

When you have the best, you avoid the rest. Everyone there seems to truly care about their patients. Many places don't take the time to see what is truly on the patient's mind. Here they ask you many times do you have any questions? Then they answer them.

November 10, 2024

5

Their professionalism and good treatment of patients are very good and they always help you at all times.

November 3, 2024

5

Let y'all know after my surgery.

October 20, 2024

5

The doctor,nurses, and office staff are all very nice, helpful and professional.

October 19, 2024

5

Extremely pleased with Dr. Sokoya and his staff!

October 6, 2024

5

Very satisfied with Dr being proactive and all his staff!

October 5, 2024

5

What a refreshing pleasure to visit an office where from beginning to end everyone was pleasant and helpful.

September 22, 2024

5

Felt very good while listening to Dr sokoya in detail about the risks and cure and the diagnostics

September 20, 2024

5

Very professional! Staff warm and eager to help,

September 20, 2024

5

Very friendly and caring people!

September 15, 2024

5

Excellent

August 22, 2024

5

Dr Sokoya is very personable and his staff is very friendly and very welcoming.

August 15, 2024

5

I believe so much in Dr. Sokoya because I was profiled from another well star that is in Paulding, Dallas to him and the doctor that is the best for the job. Thank you.

August 7, 2024

2

Did not understand the extra copay. Shouldn't be. Happening

July 18, 2024

3

Wait time to see the doctor was long and I feel like we just got moved to another doctor because of what's wrong with me and

July 15, 2024

5

Everyone is kind and patient. Also very timely.

July 13, 2024

5

Everyone is kind and patient. Also very timely.

July 13, 2024

3

Wait time to see the doctor was long and I feel like we just got moved to another doctor because of what's wrong with me and

July 15, 2024

2

Did not understand the extra copay. Shouldn't be. Happening

July 18, 2024

5

I believe so much in Dr. Sokoya because I was profiled from another well star that is in Paulding, Dallas to him and the doctor that is the best for the job. Thank you.

August 7, 2024

5

Dr Sokoya is very personable and his staff is very friendly and very welcoming.

August 15, 2024

5

Excellent

August 22, 2024

5

Very friendly and caring people!

September 15, 2024

5

Felt very good while listening to Dr sokoya in detail about the risks and cure and the diagnostics

September 20, 2024

5

Very professional! Staff warm and eager to help,

September 20, 2024

5

What a refreshing pleasure to visit an office where from beginning to end everyone was pleasant and helpful.

September 22, 2024

5

Very satisfied with Dr being proactive and all his staff!

October 5, 2024

5

Extremely pleased with Dr. Sokoya and his staff!

October 6, 2024

5

The doctor,nurses, and office staff are all very nice, helpful and professional.

October 19, 2024

5

Let y'all know after my surgery.

October 20, 2024

5

Their professionalism and good treatment of patients are very good and they always help you at all times.

November 3, 2024

5

When you have the best, you avoid the rest. Everyone there seems to truly care about their patients. Many places don't take the time to see what is truly on the patient's mind. Here they ask you many times do you have any questions? Then they answer them.

November 10, 2024

5

Doctor was informative and thorough.

November 16, 2024

5

Short waiting time to see Dr. Staff were great, kind courteous and friendly. Dr Sokoya is wonderful. Great bedside manner.

November 22, 2024

5

The doctor and everyone at that office are just wonderful in every way. I think highly of them and would recommend them to family and friends.

December 7, 2024

5

Great experience. Professional and patient team Thanks

December 7, 2024

5

Very knowledgeable doctor and listener.

December 7, 2024

5

I can't say enough about the nurses and doctors that are taking care of me.they are the best. Thanks so much.

December 15, 2024

4

Waiting time. Seems everyone that came in after me was seen before me. The front office receptionist noticed, and checked. I was called shortly after.

December 22, 2024

5

Everyone is very kind and professional. Dr. Sokoya was excellent.

January 19, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya and staff were concerned, capable, courteous and professional.

February 1, 2025

5

Always polite, friendly, helpful. They make visits to the doctor go smoothly.

February 1, 2025

5

I was definitely satisfied. I got in and out. I'm a very professional staff, nurse, doctor. I really did appreciate everything. Thank you so much.

February 15, 2025

5

I had to wait a really long time

April 17, 2025

5

From the front Desk to the Doctor every body treat me good and very nice Ty very much and being helpful ?

May 2, 2025

5

Dr. Sokoya is an awesome surgeon. He's caring. He cares about all his patients. And he is just awesome.

May 2, 2025

Publications and Articles

A head and neck cancer specialist examines a patient's neck.

MichaelCare

Presiding over weddings is one way that the Reverend Michael Teston, ThM, gives back to his community after retiring as a full-time pastor.

On the left: Michael Teston headshot. On the right: Reverend Michael Teston performs weddings, including the wedding of his Wellstar doctor.

One recent wedding was quite different than the rest. It was with heartfelt pride that the pastor looked on as the groom—the man Michael credits with saving his life—said his vows.

“Fiyin, do you take Courtnee to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Michael asked his head and neck cancer specialist.

“I do,” Dr. Fiyin Sokoya replied, standing happily as his former patient—now friend, spiritual advisor and premarital counselor—joined him with his wife in holy matrimony.


Compassionate expertise follows an unexpected diagnosis

A few years earlier, an unexpected diagnosis brought the two men together as they formed a bond that exceeded the typical doctor-patient relationship.

It began when Michael noticed a knot in his left cheek. He thought he had an infected lymph node so he went to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to get it checked out. The prognosis was that the knot was likely non-cancerous, but worth getting removed because it was growing rapidly and increased the risk for cancer. The clergyman was referred to Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a head and neck cancer specialist and facial plastic surgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center.


Specialized head & neck cancer care

Dr. Sokoya surgically removed the tumor using techniques similar to a facelift. This helped the scars heal well and meant minimal downtime during the healing process.

“If you look at my face now, you couldn’t tell,” Michael shared. “Dr. Sokoya did a phenomenal job.”

As a precaution and part of standard practice at Wellstar, the tumor taken from his face went to specialized head and neck pathologists for testing.

“I went into the doctor’s office for a follow-up visit,” Michael remembered. “The doctor said, ‘Unfortunately, it’s cancer.’”

The tumor was a rare type of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma.

“Well, that’s not what I was expecting!” Michael remembered thinking at the time. “I thought it was just a benign tumor. But Dr. Sokoya kept his manner calm, kind and never rushed. He explained things in a non-technical way to make sure I understood.”

Along with Dr. Sokoya’s demeanor, the reverend’s belief that no matter what happens, a higher power is watching out for him helped. Michael said, “My heart rate didn’t go up one bit. I never had a moment of panic.”

Fortunately, Michael was already in the right place for his care.

“We’ve become the destination center for advanced head and neck cancer care,” Dr. Sokoya said. “We can take care of him whatever his needs may be with top-notch physicians who empathize and display emotional intelligence while connecting on a human level throughout treatment.”

Aside from the surgery, Michael did not need further treatment, other than regular monitoring and bloodwork.

“Michael ended up not needing chemo because we caught it early and his medical oncologist is able to watch it closely in case any symptoms develop again,” Dr. Sokoya said. 

Continue reading this article
Friendly image of Head and Neck

Wellstar Experts Treat Head & Neck Cancers, STAT

At Wellstar, every patient’s care plan is tailored to their needs. When it comes to head and neck cancers, a team of expert specialists form an interdisciplinary care team that supports the patient and their family through the whole treatment process.

In Wellstar STAT Clinics—short for Specialty Teams and Treatments—patients can see multiple cancer specialists to be diagnosed, have questions answered and finalize a treatment plan in a single day at one location. This reduces the need to drive to different locations and helps the patient start treatment faster.

“The concept of multidisciplinary care is tried and true and shown to be effective for cancer patients,” said Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a Wellstar head and neck cancer surgeon. “This model decreases the time to proceed with and receive care.”

First, a team of medical experts, including a head and neck cancer surgeon and facial plastic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a pathologist and a neuroradiologist, review the patient’s pathology and imaging as a group to diagnose, stage and create a personalized treatment plan.

Next, the patient and their family meet with the experts. This is an opportunity for the patient to learn about the recommended treatments and ask questions.

“Traditionally, patients must drive to several different appointments to learn the stage of their cancer, meet with different specialists and make decisions,” said Wellstar Medical Oncologist Dr. Nagender Mankan. “At that point, four to five weeks have gone by. In STAT Clinics, we are expediting the complicated decision-making process.”

The patient also meets with a nurse navigator. This specialized nurse helps coordinate many aspects of care for the patient including scheduling appointments and connecting patients with support team members, such as a registered dietitian, a speech therapist or a dentist who may help relieve irritation in the mouth and throat.

While Wellstar is well-equipped to help you fight head and neck cancers, there are steps you can take to prevent cancer from forming, including limiting exposure to the sun and cutting out tobacco and alcohol. Your Wellstar care team can work with you on a plan to keep your head and neck healthy and set achievable goals to prevent cancer.

Learn more about head and neck cancer care at Wellstar.

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Provider looking at patient's neck

Keep Your Head & Neck in Check

Take charge of your head and neck health. Talk to your care team about how you can stay ahead of serious concerns before they start.  

Most head and neck cancers—including oral, throat and thyroid cancers—begin in the mouth or throat. 

Here are a few steps you can take to keep your head and neck in top shape, so you can live your healthiest life.  

Cut tobacco & alcohol

Tobacco use, including smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco or snuff, is a major risk factor for head and neck cancers. The use of alcohol and tobacco together can be especially risky.  

Inhaling anything other than a prescribed medicine, including the use of e-cigarettes and marijuana, could increase the risk as well, according to Dr. Timothy Ryan, a Wellstar ear, nose & throat physician. 

“Abstinence from smoking any substance is always the best answer when it comes to your head and neck health,” Dr. Ryan said. 

Protect yourself from the sun 

Ultraviolet light, such as exposure to the sun or artificial UV rays like tanning beds, is a major cause of cancer on the lips and scalp. Protect your lips by using a lip balm with sunscreen, and make sure to wear sunscreen on your face and neck when you go outside, even in colder weather. Protect your head from sun exposure with a hat.

Be mindful of HPV

According to Dr. Ryan, human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the main risk factors for head and neck cancers. 

“There are two main risk factors for head and neck cancers that we see most commonly. One is from smoking,” he said. “That can be made worse from alcohol use. The other is actually a virus, and it’s a really well-known virus, human papillomavirus.” 

About 70% of cancers in the oropharynx (which includes the tonsils, soft palate and base of the tongue) are connected to HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Talk to your provider about HPV prevention and exposure, and seek treatment if you are showing signs of HPV. Although many people with HPV don’t have symptoms, some develop warts in the genital area.

Gardasil-9, the vaccination against HPV, protects patients against the types of HPV that cause most HPV cancers. Patients from age 11 to 46 should consider vaccination after speaking with their clinician.

Know the risk factors

Some jobs can also be risk factors. The construction, textile, ceramic, logging and food processing industries can cause exposure to substances like wood dust, formaldehyde, asbestos, nickel and other chemicals. These increase the risk of cancer in the nasopharynx, or the top part of the throat. 

And if you have been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis and some other illnesses, you could be at higher risk. Previous radiation treatments to the head and neck can also increase your risk.

“Talk to your healthcare provider about your health history so they can help you evaluate your risk,” said Dr. Fiyin Sokoya, a Wellstar head and neck cancers surgeon. “They can help you take action and prevent cancer.”

Watch for symptoms

Symptoms of head and neck cancers will vary based on which part of the head and neck they appear. Signs include:

  • Hoarseness that persists or worsens over several weeks
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Sore throat that does not go away
  • A lump that does not go away
  • Painless lump in the neck
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth
  • Swelling of the jaw
  • Bleeding or pain in the mouth
  • Blocked sinuses that do not clear up with antibiotic treatment
  • Frequent headaches of unknown origin
  • Tooth pain or denture problems
  • Ear pain
  • Swelling near the jawbone or under the chin
  • Numbness or paralysis of the face muscles
  • Difficulty hearing or pain or ringing in the ears
  • Trouble breathing or sleeping

While it’s important that everyone look for symptoms of head and neck cancers, these conditions are more likely to affect men. Men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with oral and throat cancer compared to women, according to the American Cancer Society.

If you are showing any symptoms of head and neck cancers, contact your healthcare team.

“Annual dental and oral examination by your dentist is the best way to screen for head and neck cancers,” Dr. Sokoya said.

Learn more about how Wellstar cares for head and neck cancers.

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Fiyin Sokoya, MD
Otolaryngologist with Wellstar since 2020
Rating
4.6
Specialties
Otolaryngology , Facial Plastic Surgery
Education
Doctor of Medicine
Medical School
University of Kentucky School of Medicine/Dentistry
Residency
University of Colorado
Certifications
American Board of Otolaryngology - ENT
Spoken Languages
English
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar North Fulton Hospital
Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
Office Locations
www.wellstar.org/physicians/fiyin-sokoya-md
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