SurgOnc Today

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Kelly Hewitt and Austin Williams review key breast cancer presentations from the 2026 Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting. They discuss real-world implementation of SOUND and INSEMA, evolving approaches to axillary management in the neoadjuvant setting, and emerging data on omission of axillary surgery. Additional highlights include outcomes with partial breast irradiation in the setting of variable endocrine therapy adherence and contemporary management of rare breast malignancies such as angiosarcoma. Together, they explore how these findings are shaping multidisciplinary decision-making and the continued evolution of surgical de-escalation in breast cancer care.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Mihir M. Shah interviews Drs. Shailesh Shrikhande and Syed Ahmad about the barriers that slow clinical trial activation and the steps needed to move innovative ideas into practice more efficiently.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Giorgos Karakousis discuss the article: "Assessing the Evidence for and Utility of Gene Expression Profiling of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma" from the March 2025 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

After years of training and countless hours in the OR, the transition from fellowship to independent practice is one of the most challenging times in a surgeon's career. In this podcast episode produced by the Fellows and Young Attendings Committee, Dr. Kathrine Kelly is joined by Dr. Mura Assifi and Dr. Michael Wach to discuss the stressors of starting out as a surgical oncologist. This is an honest conversation about building a surgical practice, managing complications, and the unique challenges we all face in the care of the complex cancer patient. 

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Mihir M. Shah speaks with Drs. Shailesh Shrikhande and Syed Ahmad about strategies to improve clinical trial enrollment, expand access, and strengthen participation in surgical oncology research.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, members of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee interviewed attendees and faculty at the Society of Surgical Oncology 2026 meeting. Here, we present some of the most fantastic moments and give initial impressions of up and coming changes in care for patients with cancer. Thanks for listening, and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2027. As always, the Society of Surgical Oncology seeks to improve multidisciplinary patient care by advancing the science, education, and practice of cancer surgery worldwide.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Mihir M. Shah interviews Drs. Shailesh Shrikhande and Syed Ahmad about why clinical trials fail, highlighting key challenges in trial design, patient accrual, execution, and adoption in surgical oncology.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Kostas Chouliaras and Laura Enomoto recap the highlights from the Advanced Cancer Therapies Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with Drs. Michael Lidsky, Jason Foster, and Mecker Moller.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today's Surgical Oncology Insight series, Dr. Brittany Barber discusses with Dr. Sid Puram his paper "Trends in incidence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in the United States 2001-2019".

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, key components of the recently launched Patient Manifesto will be discussed by appendix cancer medical experts and advocacy organizations. The goal of the podcast is to educate the medical community and our patient community on this manifesto and how we can work together to advance these key initiatives.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Mohammed Farooq discuss the article "Recurrence Patterns and Survival Outcomes in Clinical Stage IIB/IIC Melanoma: Can We Stratify Patients for Consideration of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy", from the January 2026 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.    

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Cherif Boutros, Juliet Lumati, Sergio Aguilar, and Olusegun Alatise discuss the unique opportunities and challenges involved in launching and sustaining clinical trials in low-resource settings, with a spotlight on cancer care in Nigeria. Through a conversational format, the speakers will share personal experiences and lessons learned from building trial infrastructure, navigating ethics and regulatory hurdles, and ensuring data quality and patient retention in fragmented health systems. The session will also highlight strategies for securing funding, fostering local and global collaborations, and designing trials that are both scientifically rigorous and contextually relevant. Listeners will gain practical insights into how clinical research can drive health equity, and how global societies can support the next generation of investigators in low- and middle-income countries.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, we discuss how early-career surgical oncologists can strategically approach 2nd contract renegotiations. Dr. Robin Schmitz is joined by Dr. Rajesh Ramanathan and Dr. Brett Ecker as they share contrasting perspectives, one having stayed and grown within the same institution, the other with a recent transition to a new academic center. Together, they discuss how to assess your value, understand leverage, and navigate decisions around compensation, academic advancement, clinical resources, and leadership opportunities. Whether you're planning to stay or considering a move, this episode provides practical insights to help you negotiate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Ko Un (Clara) Park, MD and Andrea Abbott, MD, MCSR lead a discussion with Taiwo Adesoye, MD and Kevin Hughes, MD to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools are revolutionizing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes in surgical oncology. Real-world applications such as pathology image analysis, assistance during tumor board, and utilizing "ambient scribing" to reduce documentation burdens are discussed.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Lily Saadat is joined by Dr. Austin Williams and Dr. Mackenzie Shindorf to discuss negotiating your first contract as a surgical attending. This podcast is geared towards trainees who are preparing to transition from training to independent practice and will cover what matters most in a contract, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to best advocate for yourself during this process.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Flavio Rocha, Professor and Division Head of Surgical Oncology at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, leads a discussion about engagement of surgeons in the National Clinical Trials Network cooperative groups with Sepideh Gholami, Associate Professor and Director of Translational Research in Surgical Oncology at Northwell Health, and Michael Lowe, Associate Professor and Director of the Melanoma Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. They discuss the impact that surgeons can have on the design and implementation of NCI-sponsored clinical trials and offer insights on ways for surgeons to engage with the cooperative groups.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today®, Drs. Bonci, Boughey & Adesoye review the most important breast cancer management updates from the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Expert breast surgical oncologists discuss new findings on axillary surgery and when less invasive approaches may be safely considered, the role and impact of preoperative MRI in newly diagnosed breast cancer cases, and emerging strategies for the non-surgical management of DCIS. This episode focuses on what surgeons need to know now - and how these studies may guide patient care moving forward.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today®, Drs. Jason Liu and Sonya Khan will demystify the risks of thyroid cancer and the use of GLP-1s. They will also provide practical advice for surgeons by answering real questions that their patients have asked.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Jamie Rand discuss the article: Omission of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with pT0-2 ER+/HER2− Breast Cancer with 3–5 Positive Lymph Nodes Undergoing Adjuvant Systemic Therapy and Radiation Does Not Impact Overall Survival: A Cancer Database Analysis, from the February 2026 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, join Dr. Ana Refinetti and Dr. Shruti Zaveri as they interview Dr. Iryna Jacinto, a recent SSO ICDE participant who is spearheading breast cancer care programming in Angola.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, members of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee with their integral connection to the Society's governance structure, interview the new CEO, Ms. Patti Stella.

"Mentorship Basics" is a podcast series by the Women in Cancer Surgery (WICS) Committee exploring mentorship in surgical oncology. In this episode, experienced mentor Chantal Reyna, MD, MHA, FACS, FSSO, is interviewed by WICS members Christin Collins, DO, and Deba Sarma, MD, offering insights into mentorship from the mentor's perspective. This conversation provides practical guidance and reflection that will be valuable both for individuals seeking mentors and for those interested in becoming effective mentors themselves.

Leaders in PSM and co-creators of the Yale consensus guidelines meet to discuss key aspects of the recently updated consortium recommendations.

In this new episode of Speaking of Surgonc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Elena Panetti discuss the article: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Hepatectomy in Patients Receiving Triplet Versus Doublet Preoperative Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases, from the January 2026 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today® Dr. Eyal Mor is joined by Dr. Myles Smith, Dr. Cornelius Thiels, Dr. Anai Kothari, and Dr. Heather Lyu to discuss Innovation in Surgical Oncology: Harnessing AI and AR in the Operating Room. Together, they explore how emerging technologies are transforming surgical planning, intraoperative navigation, and education — and how innovation can be integrated into everyday cancer care.

In this episode of Outside the OR, Steven C. Katz, MD, FACS shares his journey at the intersection of surgical oncology and industry. From clinical insight to drug development, Dr. Katz discusses how surgeons can play a pivotal role in advancing innovation, translating research into therapeutics, and collaborating with industry partners to bring new treatments to patients. Tune in for an engaging conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and how surgical oncologists can help shape the future of drug discovery.

In this episode of SurgOncToday, Everett Warren, MD, MAT, is joined by Maggie DiNome, MD, FACS, and Micaela Weaver, DO, FSSO, FACS, to discuss lessons learned in setting up a clinical practice that is both busy and diverse yet tailored to their individual interests.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Shelley Hwang and Mediget Teshome are joined by international leaders Drs. Wonshik Han and Jeong Eon Lee to reflect on key insights from the 2025 Global Breast Cancer Conference and look ahead to future directions. The conversation highlights evolving trends in breast cancer care, including surgical de-escalation, care of younger and premenopausal patients, emerging technologies, and opportunities for continued global collaboration between the SSO and partners across Asia.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Zhi Ven Fong discusses with Dr. Christopher Childers, Dr. Erin Strong, Dr. Udai Sibia, & Dr. David Litvak, what surgical oncologists should know about value-based care and how it impacts their practices. The speakers also touch on real-world examples and detail how surgical oncologists can take an active role in optimizing value-based care within their hospital and health systems.

In this series "evidence today and tomorrow", the HPB disease site working group of the SSO explores current gaps in HPB surgical oncology, highlighting existing evidence and ongoing work aimed at filling those gaps. In this episode, Drs. Julie Hallet and Patricio Polanco, chair and vice-chair of the HPB disease site working group are joined by Drs. Ajay Maker, Rebecca Snyder, and Giovanni Marchegiani to review evidence in the management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Zhi Ven Fong, of the HPB Disease Site Work Group interviews Dr. Yorick L. van de Pavert about the ENDURO Trial's (surgical vs endoscopic gastrojejunostomy bypass) design, implementation, and primary and secondary endpoints. If you did not check out part 1, please be sure to visit SurgOnc Academy for the full series: https://learn.surgonc.org/courses/112569

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, we discuss the recently updated ASCO guidelines for axillary staging with sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer, as well as considerations for their application in a multidisciplinary setting. This episode is moderated by Dr. Ashley Woodfin from the University of Wisconsin, who is joined by Dr. Clara Park from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dr. Andrea Abbott from Medical University of South Carolina for a in-depth discussion regarding the guidelines implementation and important considerations.

In this episode of Outside the OR, we explore how collaboration between the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and the American College of Surgeons Cancer Surgery Standards Program (ACS CSSP) is helping raise the bar for cancer care nationwide. Joined by Dr. Matthew H.G. Katz and Dr. Tina J. Hieken, we discuss how shared standards, multidisciplinary alignment, and surgeon leadership translate into better support for surgeons, and better outcomes for patients. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on why collaboration matters and how collective efforts are shaping the future of cancer surgery.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene and Dr. Shayna Showalter discuss recently updated considerations by the SSO Breast Task Force regarding bilateral and contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy, highlighting important considerations for clinical practice, as reported in the editorial, "Highlights and Perspectives from The Society of Surgical Oncology's Statements on Bilateral and Contralateral Risk-Reducing Mastectomy."

In this episode of SurgOnc Today's Surgical Oncology Insight series, Dr. Monisha Sudarshan, Section Editor of the Thoracic Editorial Board section, discusses with Dr. Erin A. Gillaspie her paper "Immunotherapy in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: What is the state of management?".

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Casey Allen leads a discussion with Oluwadamilola Fayanju, Laura Dominici, Michael Egger, Cristina O'Donoghue, and Winta Mehtsun, exploring how value-based care principles intersect with access, equity, and health policy in surgical oncology. The conversation highlights social determinants of health, rural outreach, and global initiatives advancing high-quality, value-based cancer surgery.

In this episode, join the SSO HPB disease site working group as they count down the final five studies in the 2025 HPB wrapped. This episode dives into some of the year's most practice-changing publications in HPB surgical oncology: the ROC'N'ROLL Trial, best practices neoadjuvant therapy for pancreas cancer, the PANDRA-II Trial, the use of SBRT for resectable pancreas cancer, and the PREHEP Trial. Hear our guests Dr. Colin Court and Dr. Winnie Lo as they review the studies and unpack what these findings mean for clinical practice.

Family planning and fertility preservation can pose challenges for trainees and new surgical oncology attendings. The SSO Fellows and Young Attendings Committee tackles these topics within a three-part podcast. On this episode of SurgOnc Today, hosts Dr. Danielle Graham and Dr. Paige Aiello discuss fertility preservation techniques and other considerations with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Nicole Budrys and surgeons Dr. Alisa Blumenthaler and Dr. Jordan Jackson.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene discusses with Dr. Lily Owei and Dr. Heather Wachtel key principles regarding the understanding and management of adrenal incidentalomas, as reported in the article, "The Landmark Series: Evaluation and Management of Adrenal Incidentalomas."

In this episode, join the SSO HPB disease site working group as they count down the first five studies in the 2025 HPB wrapped. This episode dives into some of the year's most practice-changing publications in HPB surgical oncology: the Preopanc-2 Trial, the Collision Trial, the Tesla trial, the use of Kras in ablation for Colorectal Liver Metastases, and the ENDURO Trial. Hear our guests Dr. Sandra DiBrito and Dr. Neha Lad as they review the studies and unpack what these findings mean for clinical practice.

In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey E. Gershenwald discusses the critical role surgical oncologists play in advancing evidence-based public policy. Using the FDA's black-box warning on indoor tanning for minors as a case study, Dr. Gershenwald highlights the science behind melanoma risk in adolescents and why advocacy is essential to protecting the next generation. Tune in to explore how policy action, prevention, and oncology expertise intersect, and why your voice as an SSO member matters beyond the operating room.

With updated thyroid cancer guidelines, adjunct diagnostic and treatment tools, and growing interest in minimalist approaches, it is increasingly challenging to know the optimal management for patients with small, differentiated thyroid cancer including when to refrain from operating. In this episode, we discuss the nuanced decision making in managing these patients, the multiple factors that are taken into consideration, and strategies in conducting efficacious conversations with patients. Hear from our world-renowned expert panel, Dr. Michael Tuttle, Professor and Chief of Endocrinology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Dr. Douglas Fraker, The Jonathan Rhoads Professor of Surgery Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania , moderated by Dr. Mahsa Javid, Endowed Chair in Endocrine Surgery.

Family planning and fertility preservation can pose challenges for trainees and new surgical oncology attendings. The SSO Fellows and Young Attendings Committee tackles these topics within a three-part podcast. In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Julia Selfridge, MD, is joined by Dr. Madalyn Neuwirth and Dr. Ben Deschner, to discuss planning a family as a new attending.

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, SSO GI Disease Site Working Group members Dr. Brett Ecker, Dr. Prejesh Philips and Dr. Marion Liu review the latest data on molecular subtypes of ampullary cancer with invited guest and researcher Dr Jesper Anderson, Tenured Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Anderson discusses his recent publication in Gut, and how his findings change our understanding of this rare disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39725462/

Family planning and fertility preservation can pose challenges for trainees and new surgical oncology attendings. The SSO Fellows and Young Attendings Committee tackles these topics within a three-part podcast. In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Julia Chandler, MD is joined by Dr. Helene Sterbling and Dr. Devon Freudenberger to discuss pregnancy and parenthood while in surgical training.

In this episode of Outside the OR, Dr. Russell Berman sits down with Dr. Peter Kingham to talk about the rising global cancer burden and why it matters to every surgical oncologist — and every patient. Drawing from his extensive work in West Africa and his leadership in global surgery, Dr. Kingham shares what cancer care really looks like in low-resource settings and how individual surgeons can make a meaningful impact. From groundbreaking research to on-the-ground challenges, this conversation shines a light on global cancer disparities. Tune in for an eye-opening, inspiring discussion about the future of cancer care worldwide.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, SSO Breast Disease Site Working Group members Drs. David Anderson, Fred Dirbas, and Suzanne Klimberg dive into management of male breast cancer. The speakers discuss unique considerations for this population as well as the similarities and overlap when treating female breast cancer.

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene discusses with Dr. Mecker G. Möller crucial questions regarding colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CRC-PM) management, particularly concerning the optimal applications of HIPEC in clinical practice, as reported in the article, "Great Debate: Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases—Should It Be Offered?"

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Jonathan Baines, MD, Donald Warne, MD, and Lori Arviso Alvord, MD discuss advocacy and mentoring of Native American and URM Trainees.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Mark Knab, Charles Vining, and Kelvin Allenson discuss how the anatomic location of duodenal adenocarcinoma—from the first to the fourth portion—fundamentally shapes surgical decision-making. Discussion highlights include criteria for pancreaticoduodenectomy versus segmental or limited resections, the role of margin status and lymphadenectomy, and evolving data guiding resection strategy for non-ampullary duodenal cancers. Designed for practicing surgical oncologists, this episode emphasizes operative judgment, outcomes data, and the balance between oncologic adequacy and surgical morbidity.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, the SSO HPB disease site working group reviews strategies for implementation of histothripsy ablation in the management of liver primary and secondary malignancies, including a discussion of the evidence supporting it and support from the IDEAL framework for the adoption of surgical innovations into clinical practice. To do so, Drs. Miral Sadaria Grandhi and Zhi Ven Fong, members of the HPB disease site working group, are joined by Drs. Hop Tran Cao, Brock Hewitt, and Jeffrey Barkun.