SurgOnc Today®

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, we will discuss the critical infrastructure and institutional support needed to successfully conduct surgical clinical trials. Host Dr. Christina Angeles, surgical oncologist at the University of Michigan and Chair of the SSO Research Committee, is joined by Dr. Hop Tran Cao, HPB surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Melissa Pilewskie, breast cancer surgeo...

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Rebecca Snyder from the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dr. Patricio Polanco from Atrium Health Wake Forest School of Medicine from the HPB Disease Site Work Group are joined by Dr. Katrina Duncan from The University of British Columbia and Dr. David Caba-Molina from RUHS-UC-R and Loma Linda University Health System. We will be discussing some of the most exc...

In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Aatur Singhi discuss the article: "PancreaSeq Genomic Classifier (PancreaSeq GC) Improves Pancreatic Cyst Classification and Detection of Advanced Neoplasia: A Multi-institutional Validation Study" from the April 2026 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

In this episode, breast surgeons Drs. Abbott, Giacomo, Kantor, and Specht are joined by radiation oncologist Dr. Rachel Jimenez to discuss the evolving role of regional nodal irradiation and the potential for its omission in selected patients. Drawing on recent findings from the NSABP B-51 trial, the panel explores how these data can be applied in real-world clinical practice. Through patient case...

In this episode of SurgOnc Today's Surgical Oncology Insight series, Dr. Adam Yopp discusses with Dr. Marina Baretti her paper: "Propensity score–weighted analysis of neoadjuvant therapy versus upfront surgical resection in patients with biliary tract cancers."

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Tari King and Dr. Austin Williams join Dr. Kara Button to discuss their paths into breast surgical oncology, from early training and pivotal mentorship moments to the decisions that shaped their careers. We explore how each navigated the transition from training to practice, how their definitions of success have evolved over time, and what has guided the roles...

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, we introduce Journeys in Surgical Oncology - a new podcast series from the SSO Resident and Medical Student Task Force exploring the diversity of careers within surgical oncology. Designed with trainees in mind, this session is moderated by Dr. Ian Garbarine, who is joined by Drs. Margo Shoup, Keith Lillemoe, and Anna Dare. Together, they discuss the wide range of...

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Christina Angeles, surgical oncologist and Chair of the SSO Research Committee, sits down with two experienced surgical investigators, Dr. Andrew Lowy and Dr. Craig Slingluff, to discuss one of the most challenging steps in advancing surgical research: securing funding for pilot clinical trials. Drawing from their real-world experience designing and running su...

On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Amanda Kirane and Dr. Allison Betof discuss the clinical application of TIL therapy for melanoma patients, including the comprehensive care and teamwork required. They also discuss lessons learned and newer clinical trials optimizing the therapy.

In this episode of SurgOnc Today, we explore the evolving role of value-based care in surgical oncology. Drs. Casey Allen, Matthew Katz, and Cristina O'Donoghue join the discussion to define what "value" truly means in cancer care, examine the evidence behind programs such as ERAS and prehabilitation, and review emerging frameworks used to assess value in oncology. The conversation also addresses...

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 part...

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 hon...

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...

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 infr...

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...

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 "ambi...

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...