SUMMARY
Mayo Clinic researcher Adam L. Holtzman, M.D., is a radiation oncologist specializing in head and neck tumors and skull base tumors, with expertise in proton therapy, heavy ion therapy and other advanced radiotherapy techniques.
His research centers on highly precise radiotherapy approaches that aim to improve tumor control while minimizing long‑term side effects and preserving quality of life. His work spans skull base chordoma and chondrosarcoma, complex sinonasal and salivary gland cancers, human papillomavirus-mediated oropharyngeal cancer, head and neck cancer survivorship, and treatment de‑intensification strategies.
Dr. Holtzman also leads multidisciplinary programs for complex head and neck cancers and skull base cancers, emphasizing education and prevention of human papillomavirus-associated malignancies. His clinical research includes advanced salivary gland tumors and sinonasal growths, as well as sarcomas, chordomas and chondrosarcomas.
Focus areas
- Advanced radiotherapy. Dr. Holtzman investigates advanced radiotherapy approaches, such as proton therapy, heavy ion therapy and highly conformal radiotherapy techniques. His studies aim to optimize dose distribution for head and neck tumors and skull base tumors while sparing critical normal tissues.
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Innovative treatment strategies. Dr. Holtzman evaluates alternative fractionation schedules, artificial intelligence-based treatment planning, and the integration of novel systemic therapies and translational biomarkers to personalize therapy and better predict outcomes and toxicity.
He also leads clinical trials exploring treatment de‑intensification for human papillomavirus-mediated oropharyngeal cancer, with an emphasis on functional outcomes, late effects and survivorship models. This work includes developing advanced practice professional-led head and neck survivorship clinics.
- Rare or complex skull base tumors and head and neck tumors. Using multi-institutional datasets and international collaborations, Dr. Holtzman studies rare and traditionally radioresistant tumors, such as chordomas, chondrosarcomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, sinonasal malignancies and salivary gland cancers.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Holtzman studies ways to make radiation therapy safer and more effective. His goal is to treat cancer while protecting important functions such as speech, swallowing, vision, hormone balance and memory. He works on improving how radiation doses are planned for tumors in the head, neck and skull base, especially when they are close to nerves and blood vessels. This helps create treatment plans that target cancer while avoiding healthy tissues as much as possible.
Through clinical trials and collaborations with other centers, Dr. Holtzman helps develop treatments that are more precise and cause fewer long‑term side effects. His work aims to improve survival, lower the risk of complications, and support a better quality of life during and after treatment.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Co-chair, Protocol Review and Monitoring Orange Committee, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2026-present.
- Member, Executive Committee, Mayo Clinic Head and Neck Disease Group, 2023-present.
- Florida site lead, Community Engagement, Mayo Clinic Head and Neck Disease Group, 2023-present.
- Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group:
- Member, Skull Base, Carbon Ion Radiotherapy Guidelines Committee, 2025-present.
- Vice president, North America Chapter, 2025-present.
- Member, Skull Base, Central Nervous System, and Sarcoma Subcommittee, 2017-present.
- Operations editor, International Journal of Particle Therapy, 2022-2023.
- Outstanding Resident Teacher Award, Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, 2018.