Marietta Tan

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Marietta Tan is a head and neck surgeon and clinical researcher whose work focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP). Her most cited study, “The Impact of a Stepwise Approach to Primary Tumor Detection in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Neck With Unknown Primary” (2018, 46 citations), systematically evaluates the cumulative diagnostic yield of procedures including lingual tonsillectomy for identifying occult primary tumors. This work directly informs clinical decision-making by demonstrating how stepwise detection strategies can alter subsequent treatment pathways, reducing unnecessary radiation and improving patient outcomes. Tan’s contributions lie at the intersection of surgical oncology and evidence-based practice, offering a structured framework for one of head and neck oncology’s most vexing clinical scenarios. Her research is widely cited by surgeons and radiation oncologists seeking to optimize diagnostic workflows and minimize treatment morbidity. Through her methodical approach to a persistent clinical problem, Tan has established herself as a thoughtful voice in the management of unknown primary head and neck cancers, with her work shaping guidelines and sparking further investigation into targeted, less morbid treatment strategies.