A Routine Checkup Helped a Brain Doctor Learn He Had Throat Cancer. He Says Table Tennis Helped Him Recover from Cancer Treatment In Unexpected Ways: ‘I Just Feel Better’
A Routine Checkup Helped a Brain Doctor Learn He Had Throat Cancer. He Says Table Tennis Helped Him Recover from Cancer Treatment In Unexpected Ways: ‘I Just Feel Better’
A routine check-up led renowned neurologist Dr. Zoltan Mari to an unexpected throat cancer diagnosis after doctors discovered a lymph node under his jaw.
His treatment included radiation and chemotherapy—approaches that often cause fatigue, taste changes, swallowing difficulties, and other head‑and‑neck-specific side effects.
“Depending on the chemo, your side effects could be better or worse, but I know with the chemo that I underwent that you get really sensitive teeth and gums; even something like brushing your teeth becomes really painful,” Dr. Danoosh Amrooei, a breast cancer survivor and dentist, explains.
Encouraged to become more active after treatment-related weight and muscle loss, he discovered a transformative new passion in table tennis, which boosted his physical and mental well-being.
According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is linked to several cancers, including tongue, cervical, and throat cancers. Fortunately, HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment, particularly when addressed with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected with HPV happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer,” Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, explains.
Now in remission, Dr. Mari competes in tournaments and inspires others by showing that with determination and hope, new purpose and joy can emerge after cancer.
As a neurologist, Dr. Zoltan Mari has always understood the importance of routine health screenings—but one of his own check-ups unexpectedly placed him on the other side of the exam table.
What began as a standard appointment led to a throat cancer diagnosis and, ultimately, the discovery of a surprising new passion that supported his recovery: table tennis.
A “renowned neurologist,” according to Neuro Reserve, Dr. Mari was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who in 2022 for his dedication to mentoring the next generation of physicians. The 20‑year medical veteran recalls that during a routine exam, doctors found a lymph node under his jaw.
“I didn’t realize that it was there,” he told KTNV.
Further testing confirmed the news no one expects to hear: he had throat cancer.
Many oral cancers are associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to the National Cancer Institute, HPV is associated with several cancers, including cervical and throat cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that HPV-related cancers occur in areas where the virus is commonly found, such as the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx (the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).
Fortunately, HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment, especially when addressed with radiation and chemotherapy. Preventive tools like the HPV vaccine—such as Gardasil 9—offer protection against nine strains of the virus, including HPV 16, which is responsible for the majority of head and neck cancers.
Mari says his treatment involved radiation and chemotherapy, and he admits they took a significant toll on his body.
“I lost muscle and fat during my cancer treatment. When I gained the weight back, it was primarily fat. And so I was in the worst shape in every which way,” Mari said.
What Dr. Mari’s Radiotherapy Experience May Have Been Like?
When oral cancer patients receive radiation treatment, the side effects can mirror other well-known cancer treatment side effects, such as tiredness and potential hair loss, but some side effects will be more concentrated on the mouth and throat.
WATCH: What does radiotherapy feel like for the patient?
According to the National Cancer Institute, typical side effects of radiation to the head and neck may include:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Changes to the skin or sense of taste
Difficulty swallowing
Mouth issues
A less active thyroid gland
“Radiation therapy is actually ionizing energy, where energy goes through your body, essentially causes DNA damage,” Radiation Oncologist Dr. Subhakar Mutyala explained to SurvivorNet.
“It is a treatment where you don’t feel the treatment itself. Now, sometimes, you might feel the place where we place the tumor. If we’re placing applicators in the cancer, you might feel that. Or if you’re lying on a table and we’re holding you still, you might feel that. But the actual treatment is just ionizing energy,” Dr. Mutyala continued.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy impacts both cancer cells and healthy tissue nearby.
Common chemotherapy side effects may include:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in appetite
Diarrhea
Mouth sores
SurvivorNet experts say the best way to manage chemotherapy side effects is to prepare for them. For nausea, doctors will usually prescribe effective medications, including Zofran.
WATCH: Managing chemotherapy side effects.
“We have many, many, many medications that we give before, during, and after chemotherapy that should minimize the nausea that patients experience,” Mayo Clinic otolaryngologist Dr. Matthew L. Carlson explained.
Several medications are available for constipation and diarrhea, though doctors may recommend dietary modifications first.
Dr. Carlson says that some patients may find it helpful to complement their treatment with supplements such as the herb American Ginseng to help manage fatigue. This herb has health benefits, including stress management and immune system support.
Reclaiming a Sense of Control and Physical Activity
Dr. Mari says that during treatment, he began noticing changes in his body, including weight gain, and with his doctor’s encouragement, he set out to become more active. He struggled to find an exercise he genuinely enjoyed—until his doctor asked if he’d ever tried table tennis.
Curious, he picked up a paddle, took a few swings, and quickly discovered a passion that went far beyond physical recovery.
“You improve mentally, tremendously,” he says. “My focus is better. I sleep better. And I just feel better about the world—about the future.”
What started as a simple suggestion soon became a serious pursuit. The Cleveland Clinic of Nevada even cheered him on via Instagram as he competed in the U.S. Table Tennis Open in Las Vegas.
Photo: Instagram/clevelandclinicnevada
“When Dr. Mari first picked up a table tennis paddle in 2020, he wasn’t preparing for a tournament — he was fighting for his life,” the clinic shared.
After his throat cancer diagnosis, his care team reminded him of the same message he often gives his own patients: treatment works best when paired with a commitment to a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Now in remission, Dr. Mari is using his journey to inspire others, reminding patients that with determination and hope, it’s possible to find new passions—and a brighter future—on the other side of cancer.
Coping With Treatment Side Effects that Impact the Mouth
“Your tongue starts to feel super wrong, kind of like you put it against a shredder or something,” Dr. Danoosh Amrooei, a breast cancer survivor and dentist at Monaco Dentistry in Apollo Beach, Florida, previously told SurvivorNet.
“Depending on the chemo, your side effects could be better or worse, but I know with the chemo that I underwent that you get really sensitive teeth and gums; even something like brushing your teeth becomes really painful.”
Dr. Christina Wood, a dentist at Station Dental in Colorado, told SurvivorNet that she recommends that all chemo patients visit the dentist before treatment.
In addition to a regular check-up, individuals should also request a fluoride treatment, said Dr. Wood.
“These provide a high dose of fluoride for your teeth to help increase mineralization of the enamel [strengthen the teeth] and prevent mucositis [painful mouth inflammation],” she explained in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
She also shared a list of tips for once chemo starts to mitigate pain and keep the mouth clean:
Try to have a dental exam and teeth cleaning before chemo starts
Steer clear of mouthwash with alcohol in it; this can be extremely painful for sensitive gums and teeth
Stay away from spicy and acidic foods, which can exacerbate pain
Try eating foods that can soothe the mouth, such as dairy items
Keep different toothpaste options as your taste buds change during chemo, and certain flavors might suddenly become unappealing.
Steer clear of whitening toothpaste, which has more grit and can further irritate the gums.
If your treatment is making you vomit frequently, try mixing 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of warm water as a mouth rinse; this can help make your mouth less acidic, which can protect the enamel on your teeth.
HPV-Linked Head and Neck Cancers Have Surged 300% Since the 1980s, Experts Warn
The rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has skyrocketed over the past few decades—a trend that has medical experts sounding the alarm.
“From the 1980s to the 2010s, the rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has gone up by 300 percent,” said Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer specialist and president and scientific director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in an interview with SurvivorNet.
While not all oral cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.—there is a well-established link between the virus and certain types of head and neck cancers.
According to Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, HPV infection is incredibly common among Americans.
“The vast majority of humans in the United States, both men and women, will eventually get infected with HPV,” Dr. Ho told SurvivorNet.
However, only a small fraction of those infected are at risk of developing cancer.
“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Ho explained.
“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer.”
Treatment for HPV-related oral cancers often involves surgery to remove the tumor, but may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapies. In advanced cases, these treatments can affect a patient’s ability to eat or speak, although rehabilitation therapy can help many regain these essential functions.
The rise in HPV-related cancers underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and public awareness—especially when it comes to the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine.
What You Should Know About HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common but often misunderstood virus.
HPV is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex,” according to the National Cancer Institute. While many sexually active individuals will contract HPV at some point in their lives, the virus is linked to several serious cancers.
Though HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, its reach extends far beyond. The virus is also known to cause cancers of the throat, vagina, penis, anus, and vulva. In fact, HPV is believed to be responsible for:
90% of anal and cervical cancers
Approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
Around 60% of penile cancers
Despite its widespread impact, screening options remain limited—especially for throat cancer.
“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” saidDr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, in an interview with SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”
The good news? HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment.
“The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” Dr. Geiger explained.
Dickinson’s experience highlights the importance of HPV awareness—not just for women, but for everyone. With no routine screening for throat cancer, prevention through vaccination and education remains a critical tool in the fight against HPV-related diseases.
Protecting Against HPV: Why the Vaccine Matters More Than Ever
Nearly 80 million Americans are currently living with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most people won’t experience serious health issues, for a small percentage, HPV can lead to cancer.
To reduce that risk, health experts strongly recommend the HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer.
What the Vaccine Covers
Gardasil 9, the most widely used HPV vaccine, offers broad protection. According to the National Cancer Institute, it guards against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer.”
One of the most dangerous strains is HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. The vaccine triggers an immune response that prevents infection from this strain, making it a powerful tool in cancer prevention.
“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” explains Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”
Who Should Get Vaccinated—and When
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for all male and female preteens at ages 11 to 12, administered in two doses spaced six to twelve months apart.
The series can begin as early as age 9.
Teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or complete the vaccine series should still get vaccinated.
Those who begin the series between ages 15 and 26 or who have weakened immune systems should receive three doses instead of two.
While adults over 26 can still receive the vaccine, it’s generally less effective, as many have already been exposed to HPV. Still, individuals up to age 45 may choose to get vaccinated after consulting with their doctor about potential benefits.
WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?
Changing the Conversation Around HPV
Vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier, often rooted in concerns that the vaccine encourages early sexual activity. To counter this, many health professionals are shifting how they talk about it.
“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” says Dr. Teknos.
Dr. Teknos believes that focused efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a meaningful difference.
By reframing the HPV vaccine as a powerful tool for cancer prevention, experts hope to boost vaccination rates—and protect more lives in the process.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are concerned about your cancer risk related to the human papillomavirus or whether HPV caused the cancer you have, you can use one of the conversation starters below when talking with your doctor:
I am unsure if I received the HPV vaccine when I was younger. What can I do to know for sure?
If I experience symptoms that could be caused by HPV, what tests can I undergo to determine?
