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Michael J. Kaplan
Head and neck surgical oncologist, Surgical oncologist, Head and neck surgeon, Otolaryngologist
Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery at the Stanford University Medical Center
- 900 Blake Wilbur Drive
- 3rd Floor
- Palo Alto , CA 94304
- Phone: 650-498-6000
- 801 Welch Road
- Stanford , CA 94305
- Phone: 650-723-5281
Practice Areas
Professional Education
- Board Certification: Otolaryngology, American Board of Otolaryngology (1982)
- Residency: Beth Israel and Children's Hospital (1979) MA
- Internship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (1978) MA
- BA, Harvard College, Molecular Biology (1973)
- Medical Education: Harvard Medical School (1977) MA
- MD, Harvard Medical School (1977)
- Residency, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (1982)
- Residency: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Ophthalmic Training (1982) MA
- Fellowship: University of Virginia (1984) VA
- Fellowship, University of Virginia, Head & Neck; Skull Base Surgery (1984)
Honors & Awards
- Best Doctors in America, . (1998-2016)
- Chief Residents' Special Certificate of Merit, UCSF (1993)
- Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard College (1973)
- Roger Boles Teaching award, UCSF (1987)
Administrative Appointments
- Chief, Head & Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head&Neck Surgery (2003 - Present)
- Head & Neck Fellowship Director, Otolaryngology-Head&Neck Surgery (2003 - Present)
- Head & Neck Oncology Program, Disease Management Leader, Stanford Cancer Center (2010 - Present)
Publications
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Treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma - A comparison of the 1997 and 1977 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems
Le, Q. T., Fu, K. K., Kaplan, M., Terris, D. J., Fee, W. E., & Goffinet, D. R. (1999). Treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma - A comparison of the 1997 and 1977 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems. CANCER, 86(9), 1700–1711. -
Magnetic resonance imaging of the central skull base.
Fischbein, N. J., & Kaplan, M. J. (1999). Magnetic resonance imaging of the central skull base. Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging , 10(5), 325–346. -
Lymph node metastasis in maxillary sinus carcinoma
Le, Q. T., Fu, K. K., Kaplan, M. J., Terris, D. J., Fee, W. E., & Goffinet, D. R. (2000). Lymph node metastasis in maxillary sinus carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 46(3), 541–549. -
Laryngeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma - A case of cervical metastases 13 years after treatment and a 25-year review of existing literature
Sivanandan, R., Kong, C. S., Kaplan, M. J., Fee, W. E., Thu-Le, Q., & Goffnet, D. R. (2004). Laryngeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma - A case of cervical metastases 13 years after treatment and a 25-year review of existing literature. ARCHIVES OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY, 130(10), 1217–1222.
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Identification of a subpopulation of cells with cancer stem cell properties in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Prince, M. E., Sivanandan, R., Kaczorowski, A., Wolf, G. T., Kaplan, M. J., Dalerba, P., … Ailles, L. E. (2007). Identification of a subpopulation of cells with cancer stem cell properties in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 104(3), 973–978.
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Recurrent salivary gland carcinomas treated by surgery with or without intraoperative radiation therapy
Chen, A. M., Garcia, J., Bucci, M. K., Chan, A. S., Kaplan, M. J., Singer, M. I., & Phillips, T. L. (2008). Recurrent salivary gland carcinomas treated by surgery with or without intraoperative radiation therapy. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 30(1), 2–9.
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Patterns of failure after combined-modality approaches incorporating radiotherapy for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and neck
Chen, A. M., Daly, M. E., El-Sayed, I., Garcia, J., Lee, N. Y., Bum, M. K., & Kaplan, M. J. (2008). Patterns of failure after combined-modality approaches incorporating radiotherapy for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and neck. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 70(2), 338–343.
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INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER: CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND PATTERNS OF FAILURE
Daly, M. E., Le, Q.-T., Maxim, P. G., Loo, B. W., Kaplan, M. J., Fischbein, N. J., … Chang, D. T. (2010). INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF OROPHARYNGEAL CANCER: CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND PATTERNS OF FAILURE. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 76(5), 1339–1346.
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Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Diffuse and Punctate Cervical Lymph Node Calcifications Sonographic Features and Utility of Sonographically Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy
Shin, L. K., Fischbein, N. J., Kaplan, M. J., & Jeffrey, R. B. (2009). Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Diffuse and Punctate Cervical Lymph Node Calcifications Sonographic Features and Utility of Sonographically Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE, 28(12), 1703–7.
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HIGHER INCIDENCE OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS AMONG VIETNAMESE AMERICAN MEN IN CALIFORNIA
Filion, E. J., McClure, L. A., Huang, D., Seng, K., Kaplan, M. J., Colevas, A. D., … Le, Q.-T. (2010). HIGHER INCIDENCE OF HEAD AND NECK CANCERS AMONG VIETNAMESE AMERICAN MEN IN CALIFORNIA. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 32(10), 1336–1344.
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Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS): The Natural Evolution of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery KAPLAN ARTICLE REVIEWED
Kaplan, M. J., & Damrose, E. J. (2010). Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS): The Natural Evolution of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery KAPLAN ARTICLE REVIEWED. ONCOLOGY-NEW YORK, 24(11), 1022–1030.
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NOVEL NEOADJUVANT IMMUNOTHERAPY REGIMEN SAFETY AND SURVIVAL IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CANCER
Wolf, G. T., Fee, W. E., Dolan, R. W., Moyer, J. S., Kaplan, M. J., Spring, P. M., … Hadden, J. W. (2011). NOVEL NEOADJUVANT IMMUNOTHERAPY REGIMEN SAFETY AND SURVIVAL IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CANCER. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 33(12), 1666–1674.
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FREQUENCY OF CELLS EXPRESSING CD44, A HEAD AND NECK CANCER STEM CELL MARKER: CORRELATION WITH TUMOR AGGRESSIVENESS
Joshua, B., Kaplan, M. J., Doweck, I., Pai, R., Weissman, I. L., Prince, M. E., & Ailles, L. E. (2012). FREQUENCY OF CELLS EXPRESSING CD44, A HEAD AND NECK CANCER STEM CELL MARKER: CORRELATION WITH TUMOR AGGRESSIVENESS. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, 34(1), 42–49.
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A Novel Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-3 Activator Leads to Adult Salivary Stem Cell Enrichment In Vivo
Banh, A., Xiao, N., Cao, H., Chen, C.-H., Kuo, P., Krakow, T., … Quynh-Thu Le, Q. T. (2011). A Novel Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-3 Activator Leads to Adult Salivary Stem Cell Enrichment In Vivo. CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH, 17(23), 7265–7272.
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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, Feb 2018
Dr. Kaplan is a great doctor/surgeon & I have been very confident & pleased with his care for me.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan is the best! I tell everyone what a wonderful experience I've had at Stanford.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan and Lily are exceptional individuals and have provided much information and excellent care over the past twelve months.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan far exceeds any expectation that I had. He took extra time to answer related questions and made us feel at ease, confident in his judgment and that he would do more if it was needed. He feels like a good friend as well as a great doctor.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Early stage examination was thorough.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan is A GEM. He is open about what he knows to be certain and makes suggestions for including other doctors, if needed. Best of all, he answers emails within the hour. Brilliant! Clone him!
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
A++++ I can not give any higher praise! Excellent all around.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan is an incredible doctor. He's saved my husband's life.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan has always been an involved and caring doctor.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
Dr. Kaplan is very good.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
I like the way the doctor discussed my health issue with me, but we couldn't make a decision what to do that will help me feel better according to my issue. I am referred to another doctor for more discussion.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
He spends lots of time talking which is nice.
SHC Patient, Oct 2017
Dr. Kaplan walked me through CT - PET results in great detail so I could understand the scope of the issue & further follow up needed. I appreciated this level of detail.
SHC Patient, Sep 2017
Sense of comfort that my situation in competent hands.
SHC Patient, Sep 2017
Dr. Le is exemplary provider, as is Dr. Kaplan. They have a great teams too.
SHC Patient, Aug 2017
I am happy to see by Doctor Kaplan, Michael. He really spent time, take a good care of me. Thank you.
SHC Patient, Aug 2017
Dr. Kaplan, PA Dee PA, RN Monica always very patient centered & focused. Very professional & caring.
SHC Patient, Jul 2017
Dr. Kaplan is very thorough!
SHC Patient, Jul 2017
Dr. Kaplan provides the finest medical care I have ever experienced.
SHC Patient, Jul 2017
Dr. Kaplan expected my answers to be on the tip of my tongue. If I gave information he was not looking for, he repeated question loudly & slowly. I felt like he was talking to his med students.
SHC Patient, May 2017
Excellent!!
SHC Patient, May 2017
wonderful experience under the circumstances
SHC Patient, May 2017
Good.
SHC Patient, May 2017
Dr. Kaplan and the entire team have been great. Everyone there has been friendly, professional, informative, are just a few words to describe my experiences there. I drive a long way to get there, but it is worth the drive. I consider myself very lucky to have been referred to Stanford
SHC Patient, May 2017
Dr. Kaplan is the best!!
SHC Patient, May 2017
Other than being extremely late w/no explanations, it was great.
SHC Patient, Apr 2017
Doctor Kaplan was very professional and understanding of my health issue. Thank you!
SHC Patient, Apr 2017
The PA/NP are kind, attentive, knowledgeable and efficient. My doctors take the time to answer my questions completely, and I feel safe in their care.
SHC Patient, Apr 2017
Great hospital! I'm so thankful I will become a Stanford patient.
SHC Patient, Apr 2017
Usual excellent appointment.
SHC Patient, Mar 2017
I have recommended the Stanford providers to family & friends.
SHC Patient, Mar 2017
Always the finest young - minds at Stanford -- Wonderful to meet each year's new care-providers.
SHC Patient, Feb 2017
Dr. Kaplan is an excellent doctor. His team is excellent as well, working very well together to get us the help we need.
SHC Patient, Feb 2017
Very impressed with all doctors, PA/NP and assistants - have highly recommended SUH to friends.
SHC Patient, Feb 2017
I'm a return patient of Dr Kaplan and very satisfied.
SHC Patient, Feb 2017
I always tell everyone how happy I have been w/ Stanford.
SHC Patient, Jan 2017
Love my cancer team.
SHC Patient, Jan 2017
Excellent doctor. Kaplan.
SHC Patient, Jan 2017
My cancer dr. is one of the best drs. I've ever had!
SHC Patient, Dec 2016
Very reassuring. I came away much happier than I had been before.
SHC Patient, Dec 2016
Dr. Kaplan is a dream doctor for a cancer patient, excellent physician, explained everything thoroughly to both my husband and I. Left feeling assisted and confident.
SHC Patient, Dec 2016
Fantastic, honest, caring, informed, intelligent, etc., doctor. Great staff.
SHC Patient, Dec 2016
I had not seen Dr. Kaplan since June, when his sabbatical began. Since then my husband has become terminally ill and I have called in Hospice. The doctor was very kind, helpful and giving of his time and experience (both as a doctor and as a son) to me in my time of stress right now.
SHC Patient, Nov 2016
I saw Dr Kaplan for a followup appointment and to discuss the latest MRI. We did discuss the primary issues at length. However, a woman came in before Dr Kaplan (maybe she was a PA??) and looked at the MRI report and told me of a new issue regarding my thyroid. She said that I could discuss this with Dr Kaplan. I forgot!! Unfortunately, Dr Kaplan did not bring it up either. Now I am trying to figure the thyroid issue out via phone calls.
SHC Patient, Nov 2016
Dr. Kaplan is competent and compassionate! love his sense of humor :)
SHC Patient, Nov 2016
I am so confident with the care provider- very very to the point, clear, and caring.
SHC Patient, Sep 2016
All OK.
SHC Patient, Aug 2016
Dr. Kaplan great doctor and friend.
SHC Patient, Aug 2016
Overall good experience. My opinion of Dr. Kaplan is he is a pro/the top of his field.
SHC Patient, Aug 2016
Dr. Kaplan is an exceptional doctor. I feel so fortunate being under his care and his outstanding staff.
SHC Patient, Jul 2016
Great care all explained completely
SHC Patient, Jul 2016
Dr. Kaplan gives us all the time we need.
SHC Patient, Jul 2016
My dr. is an incredible man. Perhaps one of the brightest, most well-rounded men I've ever met. (Dr. Kaplan.)
SHC Patient, Jul 2016
Superb doctor. Staff always kind & courteous.
SHC Patient, Jul 2016
Dr. Kaplsn is the best doctor in the world!
SHC Patient, Jun 2016
Difficult to imagine improving on the experience that I had.
SHC Patient, May 2016
I was very happy with the care I received.
SHC Patient, May 2016
A very good experience.
SHC Patient, May 2016
Out of 10 points, I shall evaluate everyone as a 15.
SHC Patient, May 2016
Reinforced my confidence on the team for my procedures & care.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Dr. Kaplan answered all my questions. He was knowledgeable and gracious. I am glad I finally got an appointment to see him as I know he is an extremely busy clinician.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Thorough, professional, personal, sense of humor. #1. Professional.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Dr kaplan is the best!
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Dr. Kaplan is a great human being in addition to being a physician.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Good.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Dr. Kaplan excellent Doctor.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Excellent.
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
Dr. Kaplan is the best!!!
SHC Patient, Apr 2016
michael j kaplan is the best, bar none. really cares, very responsive, intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate man. no matter how busy he is, he pays attention and makes sure his patients receive the best treatment. he is a star.
SHC Patient, Mar 2016
Excellent experience!!
SHC Patient, Mar 2016
Got me through my anxiety.
SHC Patient, Mar 2016
Good
SHC Patient, Feb 2016
Dr. Kaplan - the best - excellent communication skills. Very professional. Really cares for his patient -
SHC Patient, Feb 2016
Never rushes through appt. amazing doctor! Dr. Kaplan saved my life!
SHC Patient, Jan 2016
I appreciate that he always includes my wife in the discussion and even show her what he is looking at while he is examining me - just like she was one of his interns. I appreciate this and so does my wife.
SHC Patient, Jan 2016
Excellent, brilliant, amazing, dedicated. You are fortunate to have him as I am. He saved my life & hope in living. I would rather die than have the procedure the previous doctor suggested, I refused.
SHC Patient, Jan 2016
Dr. Kaplan instantly put me at ease with his warm manner and a great humor. He spoke to me so I could understand what was going on. He and his "crew" are amazing.
SHC Patient, Jan 2016
Dr Kaplan was a model of good practices; knowledgeable, caring, concerned, bright, using accessible terms, explaining as needed, responsive to questions and concerns, allowing alternatives where available, putting us quickly at ease, a sense of humor, respect for the patient and also his coworkers, inclusive of my spouse in appropriate areas, a credit to the university and to his profession1
SHC Patient, Jan 2016
I am extremely happy that my oral surgeon recommended Dr. Kaplan.
SHC Patient, Dec 2015
Excellent in all ways.
SHC Patient, Dec 2015
He seemed rushed
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
Good
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
He spent more time talking about other things, by his own motivation, I didn't ask, than my health. He nearly left the room before I asked about follow up and future care, making me wonder if I hadn't stopped him if he would've truly left without discussing it. After waiting nearly 3 hours for this interaction, I was more than disappointed.
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
Dr. Kaplan & the others were extraordinary. I felt safe, confident and in good hands. His style and manner was very reassuring while being direct, clear and matter of fact. I really appreciated it.
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
I am humbled by the time and care that the doctor provides. He is very, very generous.
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
I owe him my life! Really!
SHC Patient, Nov 2015
Once he did come in, it was as though I was the only person in the world. He was very good and very thourough. Not rushed at all.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
Committed, kind surgeon & staff in a MUCH TOO busy, overextended specialty. Needs MORE surgeons there.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
My doctor is excellent. I would like to have a contact person to help with other issues. Admin type.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
Dr. Michael Kaplan was very open to my concerns. I appreciate him very much.
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
Excellent care. Very impressive.
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
good experience
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
All very professional.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
Dr Kaplan is the best.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
My brother in law recommended Dr. Kaplan to me & I would do the same.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
Always provided excellent care. He is worth waiting for!
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
Dr. Kaplan's PA was outstanding
SHC Patient, Jun 2015
Best possible experience
SHC Patient, Jun 2015
Absolutely best doctor I go to.
SHC Patient, Jun 2015
All who attended to me were very caring, concerned & comfortable to be with.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Always very good with Dr. Kaplan.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Dr. Kaplan took my case which was difficult and directed my care and got me the diagnosis and treatment I needed.
SHC Patient, Feb 2015
Dr. M. Kaplan is the best.
SHC Patient, Feb 2015
Good experience.
SHC Patient, Feb 2015
Good.
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Doctors and everyone connected with the care and treatment of my medical problems are excellent.
SHC Patient, Sep 2014
Excellent.
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
All good!
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
Dr. Kaplan is the best.
SHC Patient, Jul 2014
Very good to excellent.
SHC Patient, Jun 2014
Always rushed.
SHC Patient, Feb 2014
What can I say - He saved my life.
SHC Patient, Dec 2013
I have already recommended Dr. Kaplan to another family member who is now a patient.
SHC Patient, Feb 2018
Dr. Kaplan is a great doctor/surgeon & I have been very confident & pleased with his care for me.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan is the best! I tell everyone what a wonderful experience I've had at Stanford.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan and Lily are exceptional individuals and have provided much information and excellent care over the past twelve months.
SHC Patient, Jan 2018
Dr. Kaplan far exceeds any expectation that I had. He took extra time to answer related questions and made us feel at ease, confident in his judgment and that he would do more if it was needed. He feels like a good friend as well as a great doctor.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Early stage examination was thorough.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan is A GEM. He is open about what he knows to be certain and makes suggestions for including other doctors, if needed. Best of all, he answers emails within the hour. Brilliant! Clone him!
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
A++++ I can not give any higher praise! Excellent all around.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan is an incredible doctor. He's saved my husband's life.
SHC Patient, Dec 2017
Dr. Kaplan has always been an involved and caring doctor.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
Dr. Kaplan is very good.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
I like the way the doctor discussed my health issue with me, but we couldn't make a decision what to do that will help me feel better according to my issue. I am referred to another doctor for more discussion.
SHC Patient, Nov 2017
He spends lots of time talking which is nice.
View All 113 Patient Comments »