About

Dr. Robert M. Brody is an Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center. He is the Director of the International Visiting Professors Program in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery and serves as Fellowship Director for Head & Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Brody is board certified in otolaryngology - head & neck surgery with additional fellowship training in head and neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery. His clinical expertise encompasses the full spectrum of head and neck cancer care, including mucosal and cutaneous malignancies, endocrine and salivary gland cancers, as well as complex lesions due to infection, trauma, and benign conditions such as congenital neck masses. He has extensive training in transoral robotic surgery (TORS), laryngeal preservation surgery, and microvascular reconstructive surgery, with a specific interest in dental restoration. Dr. Brody's research focuses on the management of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, particularly utilizing transoral robotic surgery, and he investigates differences in gene expression and the tumor microenvironment to predict treatment responses. His translational research interests include the application of novel technologies such as augmented reality and machine learning in surgical settings.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Internal medicine
• Virology
• Nursing
• Family medicine
• Psychology
• Pedagogy
• Oncology
• Medical education
• Anesthesia

Selected publications

• Review of recent advancements in oropharyngeal reconstruction for transoral robotic surgery defects: emerging techniques, functional preservation, and technological innovations

  Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery · 2026-02-05 · 1 citations

  article

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The dynamic reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects demands tailored solutions that balance functional, aesthetic, and oncologic priorities. This review synthesizes advancements in reconstructive techniques over the last 18 months, contextualized within the evolving landscape of oropharyngeal disease, and highlights innovations that prioritize both surgical efficacy and quality of life. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies underscore the importance of tailored, functionally focused reconstructive strategies, integrating robotic-assisted surgery and tunneled, folded, or super-thin flaps. Buccinator myomucosal and lateral arm flaps have garnered attention for their versatility and low morbidity, while platelet-rich fibrin and tissue plug modifications have shown promise in reducing common reconstructive complications such as pharyngocutaneous fistulas. Other studies have addressed the impact of prior or upcoming radiation on reconstructive approach. Many emphasize quality of life and aesthetic measures, representing a shift toward survivorship over solely objective outcomes. SUMMARY: Modern oropharyngeal reconstruction emphasizes patient-specific and function-preserving strategies that necessitate biologic adjuncts and nuanced surgical planning. However, the lack of prospective studies, standardized outcome measures, and comparator groups underscores the need for future research to ensure broader applicability and improved reliability of these approaches.

  PublisherDOI

• Publisher Correction: Tissue-resident exhausted and memory CD8+ T cells have distinct ontogeny, function and roles in disease

  Nature Immunology · 2026-01-13

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Medicare Utilization and Reimbursement Trends for Free Flaps in Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, and Maxillofacial Surgery

  Otolaryngology · 2026-03-07

  articleOpen access

  Free flap procedures are important components of reconstructive surgery in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and maxillofacial surgery. This research investigates trends in utilization, charges, and Medicare reimbursements for free flap procedures performed across these specialties. CMS Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners Data (2013-2022) were analyzed using CPT codes 15757 and 20969 for free skin flaps and osteocutaneous flaps, respectively. Trends in procedure utilization, average charges, average reimbursements, and charge-to-reimbursement ratios (CRRs) were assessed across these specialties. A total of 4920 free flap procedures were reported between 2013 to 2022. Otolaryngology utilization increased by 73.6% while plastic and maxillofacial surgery volumes remained stable. Otolaryngology reimbursements and charges showed significant declines while the CRR remained stable around 7.65 (0.58). Plastic and maxillofacial surgery exhibited the greatest CRRs in 2022 at 9.54 and 8.87, respectively. These data demonstrate the evolving finances of free flap procedures, laying the groundwork for further investigation and discussion.

  PublisherDOI

• Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy to Predict Nodal Metastasis in Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma

  JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · 2026-01-29

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignant neoplasm often affecting the head and neck. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is routinely performed; however, the accuracy and reliability of SLNB for head and neck MCC remains unknown. Objective: To determine the accuracy of SLNB in head and neck MCC and inform pre- and post-SLNB risk stratification. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a single-center cohort study of patients with clinically node-negative head and neck MCC who underwent SLNB from January 2006 to January 2025; median (IQR) follow-up was 1.9 (0.8-4.6) years. Data analysis was conducted from April to November 2025. Interventions: SLNB outcome and nodal disease status. Main Outcomes and Measures: SLNB accuracy measured by sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), and false negative (FN) rate. FN SLNB was defined as regional nodal recurrence at the first site of recurrence after a negative SLNB without concurrent local or in-transit recurrence. Factors associated with failed SLNB (defined as nonvisualization on lymphoscintigraphy, inability to identify the sentinel lymph node intraoperatively, or absence of nodal tissue in the pathology specimen) were evaluated using effect-size measures. Cox proportional hazards model identified factors associated with nodal disease, comparing patients who developed nodal disease (identified by SLNB or subsequent clinical and/or imaging evaluation) with those who did not develop nodal disease during follow-up. Results: Of 86 participants (mean [SD] age, 75.6 [9.6] years; 36 female [41.9%] and 50 male [58.1%] individuals) with clinically node-negative head and neck MCC, 69 (80.2%) underwent SLNB. Occult nodal disease was identified in 19 participants (27.5%). SLNB sensitivity was 52.6% (10 of 19 patients), NPV was 88.6% (31 of 35 patients), and FN rate was 26.7% (4 of 15 patients). SLNB failed in 29.0% (20 of 69 patients), with tumor location, female sex, and older age having medium to large effect on SLNB failure. Lymphovascular invasion, infiltrative growth pattern, and tumor size had the largest effect size on nodal disease with Cox analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: In this large single-site cohort study, SLNB remained a useful tool in head and neck MCC, identifying more than half of occult nodal disease. Given reduced performance in this region, patients with failed SLNB or negative SLNB plus high-risk features may benefit from tailored management, including intensified therapy and surveillance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mohs-Facilitated Excision: A Case Series of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Reduce Local Recurrence of Advanced Keratinocyte Carcinomas

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2026-04-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Therapeutic scheduling of WEE1 inhibition preserves T cell function and promotes immune control of HPV⁺ tumors

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-03-12

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV⁺ OPC) is driven by viral E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which disrupt G1 checkpoint control and impose selective dependency on WEE1-mediated G2/M regulation. While this vulnerability confers sensitivity to WEE1 inhibition, its immunologic consequences remain poorly defined, and the challenge of eliciting antitumor immunity without compromising immune fitness has limited clinical translation. Here, we show that WEE1 inhibition elicits durable antitumor immunity in immunocompetent models of HPV⁺ OPC. Using murine and human preclinical systems, we demonstrate that the WEE1 inhibitor azenosertib (ZN-c3) mediates tumor control through both cell-autonomous cytotoxicity and immune-dependent mechanisms requiring T cells and conventional dendritic cells. Mechanistically, HPV⁺ tumor cells are deficient in STING signaling and fail to mount canonical type I interferon responses. Instead, tumor cell–intrinsic cGAS drives immune activation through STING-competent host cells within the tumor microenvironment, revealing a non-cell-autonomous relay that circumvents viral immune evasion. Intermittent WEE1 inhibition preserves T cell fitness while maintaining antitumor efficacy, and mice achieving complete responses develop immunologic memory capable of rejecting tumor rechallenge. These findings establish intermittent WEE1 inhibition as an immune-permissive therapeutic strategy that enables antigen-specific T cell responses in HPV-driven malignancies and provides a mechanistic rationale for combination with immunotherapy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Outcomes of <scp>HPV</scp> + Oropharyngeal Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Following Transoral Robotic Surgery

  The Laryngoscope · 2025-08-13 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: Treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is challenging. Given the relative rarity of this condition and the recent use of primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in modern diagnostic and treatment algorithms, long-term oncologic outcomes are unclear. The objectives were to evaluate oncologic outcomes of patients treated with TORS for management of CUP. METHODS: This retrospective case series was conducted at a tertiary care academic medical center from 2010 to 2021. All patients with HPV-mediated CUP who underwent TORS-assisted endoscopy were included. CUP was defined as biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma in a cervical lymph node with uncertain primary location following standard-of-care clinical and radiologic assessment. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Secondary outcomes included usage of radiation and chemotherapy. RESULTS: In total, 157 patients were included in the study. Median follow-up time was 62 months. Primary tumor was identified in 88% of patients. Surgery alone was performed in 21%, although adjuvant therapy was recommended but declined in 13%. Adjuvant radiation was completed in 46% and adjuvant chemoradiation in 33%. Two-thirds of patients avoided chemoradiation. Overall survival was 94% and recurrence-free survival was 92% at 5 years. CONCLUSION: In the largest reported experience to date of TORS-assisted management of CUP, we demonstrate that this approach facilitates a high rate of identification of occult mucosal malignancies and can eliminate the need for chemotherapy and potentially radiation therapy in select patients without compromising excellent oncologic and functional outcomes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Tissue-resident exhausted and memory CD8+ T cells have distinct ontogeny, function and roles in disease

  Nature Immunology · 2025-12-29 · 10 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Compliance with guidelines and timeliness of sentinel lymph node biopsy for Merkel cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery versus conventional excision at a tertiary academic center

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025-10-17

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Treatment of Biopsy‐Proven Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ

  Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery on overall survival (OS) in laryngeal carcinoma in situ (Cis). Methods The 2006–2020 National Cancer Database was queried for adults with a biopsy‐proven diagnosis of laryngeal Cis. Multivariable binary logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented. Results Of 3567 unique patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 514 (14.4%) underwent clinical surveillance, 1074 (30.1%) underwent primary radiotherapy, and 1979 (55.5%) underwent primary surgery. Receiving treatment at an academic/research facility was associated with higher odds of undergoing primary surgery compared to primary radiotherapy. Among 646 patients undergoing primary surgery with known pT classification and margins, 570 (76.6%) had pTis and NSM and 174 (23.4%) had pT1 and/or PSM. 5‐year OS of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery was 73%, 81%, and 86%, respectively ( p &lt; 0.001). Patients undergoing primary surgery with invasive or residual disease (i.e., pT1 and/or PSM) had similar 5‐year OS as those without (84% vs. 88%, p = 0.057). Compared with primary radiotherapy, clinical surveillance (aHR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06–1.57, p = 0.003) was associated with worse OS, and primary surgery (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69–0.92, p = 0.003) was associated with higher OS. Conclusion Primary surgery is associated with higher OS than clinical surveillance and primary radiotherapy among patients with laryngeal Cis. Level of Evidence 4.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jason A. Brant

  University of Pennsylvania

  58 shared

• Ryan M. Carey

  Philadelphia VA Medical Center

  57 shared

• Jason G. Newman

  Medical University of South Carolina

  52 shared

• Steven B. Cannady

  University of Pennsylvania

  48 shared

• Karthik Rajasekaran

  Jazz Pharmaceuticals (United States)

  46 shared

• Gregory S. Weinstein

  University of Pennsylvania

  33 shared

• Ara A. Chalian

  University of Pennsylvania

  30 shared

• Christopher H. Rassekh

  University of Pennsylvania

  29 shared

Education

• Resident, Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

  University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

  2017

• MD

  Thomas Jefferson University

  2012

• BS

  Cornell University

  2008