Elderly Patients with H&N Cancer: To Operate or to Not? Part 2 - Cutaneous Malignancies

Monday, October 19, 2026

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PT

Location: 515A

Panelist(s)

hM

hilary Caitlyn McCrary, MD, MPH

Head and Neck Surgeon
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Moderator(s)

Catherine T. Haring, MD

Assistant Professor
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH, United States

Panelist(s)

PP

Patrik Pipkorn, MD

Associate Professor
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
AT

Akina Tamaki, MD

Head and Neck Surgeon
Temple Health
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Attendees can expect an interactive, tumor board–style discussion focused on treatment decision-making for elderly patients with cutaneous head and neck malignancies. Through real-world cases, panelists will examine management of high-risk and advanced cutaneous cancers in elderly and immunosuppressed patients, including when surgical intervention is appropriate versus when non-surgical or palliative approaches may offer greater benefit. Reconstructive strategies for large cutaneous defects, patient factors beyond chronologic age (e.g., frailty and functional reserve), and the surgeon’s role in facilitating palliative care will be emphasized. Live audience polling will highlight practice variation and evolving perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

Incorporate measures other than age (e.g. frailty) in the treatment selection process.
Define the role of the head and neck cancer surgeon in end-of-life discussions and palliative care.
Identify and manage decision-making quandaries in this challenging patient cohort.