Speaking of SurgOnc® is a podcast brought to you by the Annals of Surgical Oncology (ASO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO).
The series is hosted by ASO Deputy Editor Dr. Frederick L. (Rick) Greene, who will expand upon ideas from articles published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Once a month, Dr. Greene will interview authors and leading experts in surgical oncology. Speaking of SurgOnc® episodes will be available on this page and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and TuneIn.
Episode 48:
Impact of the Histologic Pattern of Residual Tumor After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Recurrence and Survival in Stage I–III Breast Cancer
September 12, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, and Tari King, MD, FSSO, discuss findings generated from central path review of a large series of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery regarding the pattern of residual tumor in the breast and its related prognostic significance. Dr. King is the senior author of, “Impact of the Histologic Pattern of Residual Tumor After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Recurrence and Survival in Stage I–III Breast Cancer.”
Dr. Tari A. King is the Anne E. Dyson Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, the chief of the Division of Breast Surgery and the vice chair of multidisciplinary oncology in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the chief of breast surgery at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-022-12165-0
Episode 47:
Long-Term Survival in Patients Treated with Cytoreduction and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma at a Single High-Volume Center
August 8, 2023
Rick Greene, MD discusses with Edward A. Levine, MD, long-term survival in patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma undergoing cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Dr. Levine is the senior author of, “Long-Term Survival in Patients Treated with Cytoreduction and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma at a Single High-Volume Center.”
Dr. Levine is Professor, Surgical Sciences – Oncology, Chief of Surgical Oncology at Atrium Wake Forest Health, and Section Editor of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies section of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-022-13061-3
Episode 46:
Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Surgery: Insights from a Conversation with ChatGPT
July 11, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Jesse Selber MD, MPH, MHCM, FACS, the use of ChatGPT and explores questions regarding the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery and its opportunities, challenges, and possible role in surgery. Dr. Selber is the senior author of the article entitled “Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Surgery: Insights from a Conversation with ChatGPT.”
Dr. Selber is Surgical Service Line Chief and Professor of Plastic Surgery at Corewell Health, East outside of Detroit, Michigan.
Episode 45:
A Model to Predict Treatment Failure in Patients Undergoing Upfront Surgery for Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases
June 13, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Giammauro Berardi, MD, PhD, FEBS, the outcomes of a large cohort of patients undergoing upfront surgery for resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) to analyze the predictability and probability of early treatment failure using clinicopathological characteristics. Dr. Berardi is author of, “A Model to Predict Treatment Failure in Patients Undergoing Upfront Surgery for Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases.”
Dr. Berardi is attending at the Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation of the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy, and previous to that was a Surgical Oncology clinical fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York NY.
Episode 44:
Integration of Universal Germline Genetic Testing for All New Breast Cancer Patients
May 9, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Julie Culver, MS, LCGC, CCRP, the implementation of genetic testing for all patients with breast cancer and how this can be incorporated into oncology care. Ms. Culver is author of “Integration of Universal Germline Genetic Testing for All New Breast Cancer Patients.”
Julie Culver is the Director of Genetic Counseling at the USC Norris Cancer Hospital and is a Clinical Instructor of Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Episode 43:
Is Routine Omentectomy a Necessary Component of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC?
April 11, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Joel Baumgartner, MD, the rate of occult omental metastases in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery-HIPEC for peritoneal surface malignancy. Dr. Baumgartner is author of, “Is Routine Omentectomy a Necessary Component of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC?”
Dr. Baumgartner is Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA.
Episode 42:
Phase III Prospectively Randomized Trial of Perioperative 5-FU After Curative Resection for Colon Cancer: An Intergroup Trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (E1292)
March 14, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Margaret Kemeny, MD, the results of a phase III randomized trial that evaluated the effect of perioperative fluorouracil on overall survival in colon cancer. Dr. Kemeny is author of, “Phase III Prospectively Randomized Trial of Perioperative 5-FU After Curative Resection for Colon Cancer: An Intergroup Trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (E1292).”
Dr. Kemeny is Director of New York’s Cancer Center of Excellence at Queens Cancer Center of NYC Health+Hospitals/Queens and Professor of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Episode 41:
Genetic Testing Among Patients with High-Risk Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancers
February 14, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Meghan R. Flanagan, MD, MPH, the results of a retrospective population-based study about genetic testing among patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Dr. Flanagan is author of, “Genetic Testing Among Patients with High-Risk Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancers.”
Dr. Flanagan is Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
Episode 40:
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients with Clinical T4 Breast Cancer Treated with Mastectomy with and without Reconstruction
January 10, 2023
Rick Greene, MD, and Audree Tadros, MD, MPH, FACS, discuss the BREAST-Q, a validated patient-reported outcome measure for satisfaction and quality of life after breast surgery, to determine whether patient satisfaction and quality of life differs among T4 breast cancer patients based on their decision to pursue reconstruction and the timing of reconstruction. Dr. Tadros is author of “Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients with Clinical T4 Breast Cancer Treated with Mastectomy with and without Reconstruction.”
Dr. Audree Tadros is the Jeanne A. Petrek Junior Faculty Chair, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and Assistant Attending Surgeon, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Episode 39:
Disparities in Utilization and Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Techniques for Gastric Cancer Surgery in the United States
December 20, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Joon Park, MD, the national implementation patterns and perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive gastrectomy in gastric cancer surgery in the US. Dr. Park is author of “Disparities in Utilization and Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Techniques for Gastric Cancer Surgery in the United States.”
Dr. Joon Park is a Resident of Surgery in the Department of Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Episode 38:
Surgical Approach Does Not Affect Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity-Matched Study
November 22, 2022
Dr. Rick Greene and Dr. Fadi Dahdaleh discuss the effect of operative approach on overall readiness to commence adjuvant therapy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, hypothesizing that minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy improves rates and time to return to intended oncologic therapy compared with open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Dahdaleh is author of “Surgical Approach does not Affect Return to Intended Oncologic Therapy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity-Matched Study.”
Dr. Dahdaleh is an attending surgical oncologist at Northshore-Edward-Elmhurst Health in Chicago and adjunct clinical assistant professor of surgery at Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL.
Episode 37:
Downstaging of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with Either Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy Improves Survival
October 11, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, discusses with Anne O’Shea, MD, and Timothy Vreeland, MD, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation in the treatment of localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and the effect of downstaging on overall survival. Dr. O’Shea and Dr. Vreeland are authors of “Downstaging of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with Either Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy Improves Survival.”
Dr. Anne O’Shea is Resident of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Timothy Vreeland is a Surgical Oncologist also at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam, San Antonio, TX.
Episode 36:
The Landmark Series: Appendiceal Primary Peritoneal Surface Malignancy
August 16, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, Alexandra Gangi, MD, and Rupen Shah, MD, discuss the landmark articles on which management of primary appendiceal peritoneal surface malignancies are based. Drs. Gangi and Shah are authors of, “The Landmark Series: Appendiceal Primary Peritoneal Surface Malignancy.”
Dr. Gangi is Director or the Gastrointestinal Tumor and Cancer Regional Therapies Programs, and Associate Program Director, Complex General Surgical Oncology Program, Division of Surgical Oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Rupen Shah is Director, Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program and senior staff surgical oncologist at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI.
Episode 35:
Is Medicaid Expansion Narrowing Gaps in Surgical Disparities for Low-Income Breast Cancer Patients?
July 12, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, and Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, MD, MPH, discuss the effect of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act on patterns of surgical care among low-income breast cancer patients. Dr. Obeng-Gyasi is author of “Is Medicaid Expansion Narrowing Gaps in Surgical Disparities for Low-Income Breast Cancer Patients?”
Dr. Obeng-Gyasi is Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Episode 34: “Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Switch in Borderline Resectable/Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer”
June 14, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, and Mark Truty, MD, discuss the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, including the optimal treatment of patients who do not respond to first-line chemotherapy or develop toxicities. Dr. Truty is author of, “Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Switch in Borderline Resectable/Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.”
Dr. Truty is Associate Professor of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, where his clinical practice is in the Division of Subspecialty General Surgery, Department of Surgery.
Episode 33: “COVID-19 Is Affecting the Presentation and Treatment of Melanoma Patients in the Northeastern United States”
May 10, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, and Adam Berger, MD, discuss a shift away from nonurgent and preventative medical care due to the pandemic, related changes in presentation of melanoma patients in surgical clinics, and the likely impact on melanoma diagnoses and prognoses. Dr. Berger is author of, “COVID-19 Is Affecting the Presentation and Treatment of Melanoma Patients in the Northeastern United States.”
Dr. Berger is Chief of Melanoma for the multidisciplinary Melanoma and Soft Tissue Surgical Oncology Program at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Professor of Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Episode 32: “Cost Effectiveness of Watch and Wait Versus Resection in Rectal Cancer Patients with Complete Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation”
April 18, 2022
Rick Greene, MD, and Nicole Lopez, MD, discuss a watch and wait approach to treating rectal cancer with complete clinical response after neoadjuvant therapy, which reduces overall costs and increases effectiveness compared with radical resection. Dr. Lopez is author of, “Cost Effectiveness of Watch and Wait Versus Resection in Rectal Cancer Patients with Complete Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation.”
Dr. Lopez is Director of the UC San Diego National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), and is an Associate Professor of Surgery at UC San Diego Health, San Diego, CA.
Episode 31: “A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Breast-Conserving Surgery and Mastectomy with Implant Breast Reconstruction”
March 15, 2022
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Rick Greene, MD, and Mary Gemignani, MD, discuss quality of life outcomes associated with surgical management of early-stage breast cancer. Dr. Gemignani is author of the article, “A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Breast-Conserving Surgery and Mastectomy with Implant Breast Reconstruction.”
Dr. Gemignani is Professor of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Attending Surgeon, Director Breast Surgery Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Episode 30: “Cultural Complications Curriculum: Applicability to Surgical Oncology Programs and Practices”
February 8, 2022
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Rick Greene, MD and Lesly A. Dossett, MD, discuss meeting the needs of an increasingly culturally and racially diverse patient population, as well as support and recruitment of a surgical oncology workforce that better represents all minority groups. Dr. Dossett is author of the article, “Cultural Complications Curriculum: Applicability to Surgical Oncology Programs and Practices.”
Dr. Dossett is Associate Professor of Surgery, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair for Faculty Life in the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Episode 29: “Introducing the Ongoing Clinical Trials in the Surgical Oncology Series”
January 11, 2022
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Rick Greene, MD and Jonathan M. Hernandez, MD, discuss the need for surgical oncologists to keep informed of ongoing research in multiple arenas and the launch of a new editorial series to address current challenges in meeting this need. Dr. Hernandez is author of the editorial, “Introducing the Ongoing Clinical Trials in the Surgical Oncology Series.”
Dr. Hernandez is Associate Professor of Surgery with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and is Head, Metastasis Biology Section and Chief, Surgical Oncology Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Episode 28: “Landmark Series on Disparities in Surgical Oncology: Melanoma”
December 14, 2021
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Rick Greene, MD and John H. Stewart, MD, discuss the unequal burden of melanoma between Blacks and whites in the United States and the differences in access to melanoma care. Dr. Stewart is author of the article, “Landmark Series on Disparities in Surgical Oncology: Melanoma.”
Dr. Stewart is Professor of Surgery, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and is Center Director of the LSU Health New Orleans/LCMC Health Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA.
Episode 27: “Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Protocol for Lumpectomy Patients Results in Superior Postoperative Pain Control”
November 9, 2021
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Rick Greene, MD and Kristin E. Rojas, MD, discuss the implementation of an opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia protocol for lumpectomy patients for pain management without a routine opioid prescription. Dr. Rojas is author of the article, “Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Protocol for Lumpectomy Patients Results in Superior Postoperative Pain Control.”
Dr. Rojas is Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
Episode 26: “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Clinical Trials”
October 12, 2021
In this episode of Speaking of SurgOnc®, Rick Greene, MD, and Judy Boughey, MD, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on US clinical research at the local, cooperative group, and national level. Dr. Boughey is the author of the article, “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Clinical Trials.”
Dr. Judy Boughey is Professor of Surgery in Division of Breast and Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Episode 25: “Adherence to NCCN Guidelines for Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Patients: Who Are We Missing?”
August 10, 2021
Rick Greene, MD, and Elisa Port, MD, discuss surgeon adherence to NCCN guidelines and patterns of testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Dr. Port is author of, “Adherence to NCCN Guidelines for Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Patients: Who Are We Missing?”
Dr. Port is Chief of Breast Surgery and Director of the Dubin Breast Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Professor of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Episode 24: “Completion Thyroidectomy is Less Common Following Updated 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines”
July 13, 2021
Rick Greene, MD and Nancy Cho, MD discuss the impact of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guideline change on clinical practice in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer, specifically regarding the rate of completion thyroidectomy. Dr. Cho is author of the article, “Completion Thyroidectomy is Less Common Following Updated 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines.”
Dr. Cho is Associate Surgeon, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Episode 23: “Race and Gender Disparities in Access to Parathyroidectomy: A Need to Change Processes for Diagnosis and Referral to Surgeons”
June 15, 2021
Rick Greene, MD, and Courtney Balentine, MD, discuss race and gender disparities in the time from initial diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism to treatment with parathyroidectomy. Dr. Balentine is author of, “Race and Gender Disparities in Access to Parathyroidectomy: A Need to Change Processes for Diagnosis and Referral to Surgeons.”
Dr. Balentine is Assistant Professor of General and Endocrine Surgery, and Co-Director of the UTSW Surgical Center for Outcomes, Implementation and Novel Interventions (S-COIN), University of Texas Southwestern and VA North Texas Healthcare System, Dallas, TX.
Episode 22: “Longitudinal Analysis of Quality-of-Life Recovery After Gastrectomy for Cancer”
May 20, 2021
Rick Greene, MD and Vivian Strong, MD discuss factors associated with quality-of-life recovery after gastrectomy. Dr. Strong is author of “Longitudinal Analysis of Quality-of-Life Recovery After Gastrectomy for Cancer.”
Dr. Strong is the Iris Cantor Endowed Chair and Attending Surgeon, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University; and Vice Chair of Surgery for Surgical Innovations and Outcomes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Episode 21: “Serum CA19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Tumor Size Reduction and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma”
March 9, 2021
Rick Greene, MD, and Melissa Hogg, MD, discuss the relationship of serum CA19-9 to other markers of response, and the related thresholds correlating to outcomes, following neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Dr. Hogg is author of the article, “Serum CA19-9 Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Predicts Tumor Size Reduction and Survival in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.”
Dr. Hogg is the Director of HPB Surgery and Director of Robotic Training for Grainger Lab at the Northshore University Healthsystem, Chicago, IL.
Episode 20: “Surgical Oncologists and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guiding Cancer Patients Effectively through Turbulence and Change”
February 9, 2021
Rick Greene, MD, and Ken Tanabe, MD, discuss the need for surgical oncologists to remain focused on providing optimal care for our cancer patients while managing the demands that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impose. Dr. Tanabe is author of, “Surgical Oncologists and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guiding Cancer Patients Effectively through Turbulence and Change.”
Dr. Tanabe is a Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Tanabe is also Deputy Editor of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Episode 19: “Survival Outcomes After Metastasectomy in Melanoma Patients Categorized by Response to Checkpoint Blockade”
January 14, 2021
Rick Greene, MD and Charlotte Ariyan, MD, PhD, discuss survival outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma who were selected for surgery following checkpoint blockade. Dr. Ariyan is author of, “Survival Outcomes After Metastasectomy in Melanoma Patients Categorized by Response to Checkpoint Blockade.”
Dr. Ariyan is Associate Professor of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, and a Surgeon with clinical expertise in melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Dr. Ariyan is also Section Editor, Sarcoma, at the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
