When the Immune System Goes First: Surgical Implications of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Oncologic Surgery

Monday, October 19, 2026

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PT

Location: 515A

Moderator(s)

Vikas Mehta, MD MPH

Professor of Otolaryngology
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York, United States

Panelist(s)

Umamaheswar Duvvuri, MD, PhD

Mendik Foundation Professor of Otolaryngology and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology
NYU Langone Health
New York, NY, United States
Melonie Nance, MD

Associate Professor
NYU Langone Grossman School of Medicone
New York, New York, United States
TO

Thomas J. Ow, MD

Associate Attending
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York City, New York, United States

Disclosure(s):

Umamaheswar Duvvuri, MD, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This course gives otolaryngologists a practical framework to integrate neoadjuvant immunotherapy into surgical care for mucosal and cutaneous head and neck cancers. Using emerging trial data and cases, faculty will cover patient selection, perioperative decision-making, immune-related toxicities, and how treatment response affects margins, reconstruction, and neck management. Attendees will also an understanding of how to most effectively counsel patients about the risks and benefits regarding neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

Learning Objectives:

identify appropriate candidates based on specific tumor and patient characteristics
understand perioperative safety considerations, including recognition and management of immune-related adverse events that can impact anesthesia, wound healing, and postoperative recovery
adapt surgical planning in the setting of significant radiologic or pathologic response, including implications for margins, reconstruction, and neck management