Research Event
LHNC SEMINAR SERIES - RESEARCH EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT LECTURES 2026 - PROF MERERID EVANS / PROF TERRY JONES
Tuesday 10th February 2026 19:00 hrs - 20:00 hrs
-
Prof Mererid Evans
.
-
Professor Terry Jones
Director LHNC/ Director of R&I LUHFT and Consultant Head & Neck/ Thyroid Surgeon
I am a Professor of Head and Neck Surgery and the University of Liverpool and an Honorary Consultant Otolaryngologist / Head and Neck Surgeon at Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
In 2019, I was appointed as inaugural Director of the Liverpool Head & Neck Centre, the largest UK NHS/University collaboration delivering research-driven high-quality patient care. I have led the development of Transoral Laser Microsurgery as a standard of care for oropharynx cancer (OPSCC) and co-lead the international clinical trial, PATHOS, which will establish the safety and effectiveness of risk-stratified reduced dose (chemo)radiotherapy for patients undergoing transoral surgery for Human papillomavirus associated oropharynx cancer. Due to report in 2027, if PATHOS proves positive, it will result in global practice change for this patient group
I have secured >£18 million research funding and published >200 peer-reviewed papers, review articles and textbook chapters. I have edited two international reference textbooks (Scott-Brown, Head and Neck and Stell & Maran) as well as Clinical Otolaryngology, the leading UK ENT scientific journal. Research I led, directly influenced the UK government decision to vaccinate boys against Human papillomavirus (HPV), resulting in a predicted ~£0.54billion saving in NHS treatment costs.
I developed cadaveric courses in Transoral Laser Microsurgery Head & Neck surgery resulting in >100 surgeons being trained in the technique, raising the standard of transoral surgery for UK head & neck cancer patients.
Speakers: Prof Mererid Evans, Professor of Clinical Oncology and Director of Wales Cancer Research Centre, Cardiff / Prof Terry Jones, Professor of Head and Neck Surgery, Director, Liverpool Head and Neck Centre
Title: Integration of Transoral Surgery plus Radiotherapy: PATHOS and beyond
PATHOS is a landmark international randomised trial designed to assess the oncological safety and functional outcomes of de-intensified adjuvant treatment in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer treated with transoral surgery.
The trial completed recruitment of 1,349 patients in October 2024. Following a planned three-year follow-up period, final results are anticipated in early 2028. PATHOS has been instrumental in facilitating the development and adoption of transoral surgery—particularly transoral robotic surgery—across many UK centres, establishing a new paradigm in the management of this patient group.
With recruitment now complete but final outcome data still pending, there is ambiguity regarding optimal treatment strategies for patients presenting during this interim period. This talk will outline the early data emerging from PATHOS and provide practical guidance on the management of patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer while awaiting the final trial results.