Insights on Sarcomas, Gastroesophageal Cancers, Peritoneal Tumors Anchor Roswell Park Presentations at SSO 2026

Highlights

• Dr. Kukar debates total gastrectomy at the prestigious Great Debates session
• Dr. Mann discusses strategies for reducing perioperative waste
• Dr. Erali wins Best Paper Award for work on peritoneal surface malignancies

Newswise — BUFFALO, N.Y. — The latest research from surgical experts at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will be featured at the Society of Surgical Oncology 2026 Annual Meeting at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, March 5-7, 2026.

“Presentations by our faculty will showcase work that reflects Roswell Park’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and advancing surgical oncology to improve the lives of patients with cancer,” says Moshim Kukar, MD, FACS, Chair of Surgical Oncology.

Dr. Olivia Martin shares insights on two rare, aggressive sarcomas

A Roswell Park study is shedding light on the little-understood dynamics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in two types of rare and aggressive sarcomas — dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) and leiomyosarcomas (LMS). Olivia Martin, MD, MS, a Roswell Park Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellow from the University of Rochester, will present the findings in oral abstract presentation P24, “Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Expression in Sarcomas Varies by Histology and Tumor Grade,” Thursday, March 5, 11:49-11:56 a.m. MST, in room 101AC. 

The study focuses on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), cells that play a key role in the TME. Sarcomas with high CAF are associated with superior overall survival, and the team wanted to determine how the expression of CAF markers varies according to sarcoma grade. Tumor grade — low, intermediate or high — describes how dissimilar cancer cells appear when compared with normal cells, with high-grade tumor cells being the most abnormal and aggressive. 

Led by senior author Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, Roswell Park investigators analyzed data for 135 RNA-sequenced tumors, including 99 leiomyosarcomas and 36 dedifferentiated liposarcomas. Of those, 26 (19%) were low grade, 44 (33%) were intermediate grade and 65 (48%) were high grade. They found:

• All grades of DDLPS tumors were found to have consistently higher CAF markers and extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression compared with LMS tumors. ECM gene expression changes the tumor microenvironment to promote the multiplication and spread of cancer cells and increase their resistance to treatment.
• LMS tumor samples showed that the higher the tumor grade, the greater the number of ECM markers.
• The dynamics of the stroma — the supporting structure of blood vessels, immune cells and connective tissues around cancer cells — were different in differing grades of DDLPS and LMS.
• Intermediate and high-grade LMS tumors were associated with increased hypoxic signaling, the process that helps tumors survive by adapting to low oxygen levels.

The work is especially important because sarcoma is a rare and comparatively understudied cancer, the research team notes. “The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts has not been examined extensively in this type of cancer,” says Dr. Martin. “We hope these findings from our current study will lay the groundwork for continued investigation.”

Dr. Drew Erali honored for work on peritoneal surface malignancies

Richard Drew Erali, MD, MPH, a Roswell Park Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellow, is primary presenter for poster abstract BP16, “Establishing Clinical Correlation of Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids for HIPEC: Long-Term Outcomes in Peritoneal Surface Malignancies,” Friday, March 6, 1:23-1:30 p.m. MST. He was recognized with a Best Paper award for this work. Primary author Konstantinos Votanopoulos, MD, PhD, of the Department of Surgery at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, is a past Fellow of the Roswell Park Surgical Oncology Program. 

Chair of Surgical Oncology weighs in on optimal surgical approach for Type 2 GEJ cancers at the Great Debates session. This is testament to Outstanding Foregut malignancy program that his team has built at Roswell Park and he will debate other national leaders during this session 

Moshim Kukar, MD, FACS, Chair of Surgical Oncology, is an invited speaker for three sessions:

• What It Takes to Successfully Match: Importance of the Interview, How to Structure Applicant Rank List, Thursday, March 5, 2:35 p.m. MST
• Debate #1: Total Gastrectomy Is Preferred Approach to GEJ Cancers, Friday, March 6, 2:48 p.m. MST
• Debate #1: Rebuttal to Total Gastrectomy, Friday, March 6, 3:01 p.m. MST

Dr. Eleanor Fallon moderates melanoma session

Eleanor Fallon, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology and Assistant Program Director for the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship, is a moderator for the session Abstract Presentations: Melanoma, Thursday, March 5, 1:55 p.m. MST in room 301D. She will also serve as one of four judges for the Shark Tank session Thursday, March 5, 5:45 p.m. MST, in the HUB Theater.

Dr. Gary Mann highlights opportunities for waste reduction

Gary Mann, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgical Oncology, will discuss “Reducing Perioperative Waste to Local Initiatives for Broad Impact,” Friday, March 6, 1:35 p.m. MST.

Erika Stewart focuses on APP mentorship

Erika Stewart, MSN, NP, RN, ANP-BC, Supervising Advanced Practice Provider for Surgical Services, will discuss advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers in surgical oncology during the session Building the Foundation: APP Transition to Practice in Surgical Oncology: APP Mentorship in Onboarding, Friday, March 6, 1:19 p.m. MST.

Original release: https://www.roswellpark.org//newsroom/202602-insights-sarcomas-gastroesophageal-cancers-peritoneal-tumors-anchor-roswell-park