&NA;As in other aspects of oncologic surgery, the pathologist plays a key role in the surgical management of neoplasms of the head and neck. Communication between the pathologist and the head and neck surgeon is of utmost importance. In patients with cancer, the dialogue between these two parties will continue from the initial presentation of the patient, to the operative procedure, and through years of follow‐up and surveillance. Three major areas of pathology that are of concern to the head and neck surgeon are discussed here. These are the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, thyroid cancer and hyperparathyroidism.