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About

Punam Thakkar is a head and neck oncology researcher whose work has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), particularly in the context of minimally invasive surgical approaches. Her research sits at the intersection of surgical oncology, functional outcomes, and treatment de-intensification, with a consistent focus on improving quality of life for patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers. Thakkar's most impactful contribution examines transoral robotic surgery (TORS) as an alternative to conventional surgical approaches, demonstrating its comparative effectiveness on overall survival in a 2021 study that has garnered 28 citations. Her longitudinal research on swallowing function following neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with TORS offers crucial two-year outcome data, helping clinicians better counsel patients on functional recovery. A particular hallmark of her work is exploring neoadjuvant chemotherapy paired with TORS as a strategy to address distant metastasis while reducing the long-term toxicities associated with radiation therapy—a pressing clinical challenge given that distant metastasis remains the leading cause of death in HPV-related OPSCC. She has even contributed practical innovations to the field, including a cost-effective custom dental guard designed to improve surgical safety during robotic procedures. Altogether, her research portfolio reflects a commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered surgical oncology.