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Katherine Wai, MD

Photo of Katherine Wai, MD
Title(s)Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address513 Parnassus Avenue HSW, #1536
San Francisco CA 94143
PronounsShe/Her/Hers
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    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CAMD05/2017Medicine
    University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CAResidency06/2022Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Stanford University, Palo Alto, CAFellowship06/2023Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse Publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Changes in Time to Diagnosis of HPV+ Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Head Neck. 2026 May 14. Howard J, Asad S, Gillard DM, Wai KC, Xu MJ, Likhterov I, George JR, El-Sayed I, Ryan WR, Ha PK, Heaton C. PMID: 42135196.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio and Survival in Pembrolizumab-Treated Oropharyngeal Cancer. Head Neck. 2026 May 10. Truong AA, Ho S, Lee RH, Wu X, Kang H, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Heaton CM, Likhterov I, Xu MJ, Ha PK, Algazi AP, Wai KC. PMID: 42108213.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    3. Pituitary metastasis as the first sign of distant spread in mandibular squamous cell carcinoma. J Surg Case Rep. 2026 Apr; 2026(4):rjag315. Truong AA, Chan J, Kang H, Chen JS, Aghi M, Loftus P, Xu MJ, Wai KC. PMID: 42058515; PMCID: PMC13123692.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    4. Neural Network Machine Learning for Determining Surgical Appropriateness in Head and Neck Subspecialty Referrals. Ear Nose Throat J. 2026 Apr 07; 1455613261438091. Truong AA, Arios JP, Xin K, Jiam ML, Jiam NT, Ha PK, Wai KC. PMID: 41947305.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    5. Timely Matters: Predictors of Delay in Oral Cavity Cancer Patients Across the Care Continuum. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2026 Apr; 11(2):e70363. Correia N, Johnson K, Durr M, Grimes BA, Lazar AA, Sarkar U, Ha PK, Chen L, Wai KC, Likhterov I, Yom SS, Chan JW, Algazi AP, Kang H, Ryan WR, Heaton CM, El-Sayed I, George J, Xu MJ. PMID: 41767548; PMCID: PMC12948553.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:
    6. Hardware Exposure After Mandibular Reconstruction: Bone Versus Soft Tissue Free Flap Comparison. Laryngoscope. 2026 Jun; 136(6):2591-2597. Abdulbaki H, Truong AA, Chen L, Heaton CM, Knott PD, Park AM, Xu MJ, Wai KC. PMID: 41578654.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Perineural Invasion and Survival in Pembrolizumab-Treated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Laryngoscope. 2026 May; 136(5):2199-2205. Truong AA, Ho S, Lee RH, Wu X, Kang H, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Heaton CM, Likhterov I, Xu MJ, Ha PK, Algazi AP, Wai KC. PMID: 41482826.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. Rates of ICU Delirium After Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx. Head Neck. 2026 May; 48(5):1279-1286. Nesmith W, Fakurnejad S, Gillard D, Wai K, Xu MJ, Likhterov I, George J, Ryan W, El-Sayed I, Ha P, Park A, Seth R, Knott PD, Heaton C. PMID: 41388740.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    9. Evolving Use of Circulating Tumor DNA for HPV+ Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Consensus Recommendations From the California Head and Neck Consortium. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025 Dec 04; OP2500450. Ho AS, Moyers JT, Attarian S, Banker R, Birkeland A, Chen MM, Coffey CS, Guo T, Haidar Y, Harris JP, Holsinger FC, Inman J, Jang JK, Kokot N, Kwon D, Larson A, Lin A, Maghami E, Mallen-St Clair J, Mendelsohn A, Mita AC, Ryan WR, St John M, Sampath S, Scher KS, Sinha U, Tang L, Thomas J, Tjoa T, Wai KC, Walgama ES, Wong DJ, Zumsteg ZS. PMID: 41343754.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    10. EPIDERM Technique: Safety and Outcomes of Skin Grafted Free Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction. Laryngoscope. 2026 Apr; 136(4):1727-1733. Patel N, Reynoso N, Heaton C, Likhterov I, Xu M, Wai K, Agarwal A, Patel N, Park A, Knott PD. PMID: 41257399; PMCID: PMC12993096.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Multimodal delineation of a layer of effector function among exhausted CD8 T cells in tumors. Sci Immunol. 2025 Jul 11; 10(109):eadt3537. Ray A, Bassette M, Hu KH, Pass LF, Courau T, Samad B, Combes AJ, Johri V, Davidson B, Wai K, Ha P, Hernandez G, Zaleta-Linares I, Krummel MF. PMID: 40644511; PMCID: PMC12404540.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    12. Social Determinants of Health in Patients Undergoing Osteocutaneous Free Flap Reconstruction for Malignant Disease of the Mandible. Head Neck. 2025 11; 47(11):2982-2989. Bhethanabotla RM, Patel N, Behnam R, Boscardin WJ, Xu MJ, Heaton C, Wai KC, Park AM, Knott PD. PMID: 40525327; PMCID: PMC12541689.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Multimodal delineation of a layer of effector function among exhausted CD8 T cells in tumors. bioRxiv. 2025 Feb 16. Ray A, Bassette M, Hu KH, Pass LF, Courau T, Samad B, Combes A, Johri V, Davidson B, Wai K, Ha P, Hernandez G, Zaleta-Linares I, Krummel MF. PMID: 37808790; PMCID: PMC10557647.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    14. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Pembrolizumab Outcomes in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Feb; 172(2):548-555. Truong AA, Lee RH, Wu X, Algazi AP, Kang H, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Heaton CM, Ryan WR, Jeon Y, Kim MO, Ha PK, Wai KC. PMID: 39675043.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    15. The tumor microenvironment of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Head Neck. 2024 07; 46(7):1625-1636. Wai KC, Okholm TLH, Ha PK, Marquez DM, Tenvooren I, Jones KB, Spitzer MH. PMID: 38454566.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    16. Postoperative inpatient surgical complications following head and neck microvascular free tissue transfer. Head Neck. 2024 10; 46(10):2432-2439. Abdulbaki H, Ha PK, Knott PD, Park AM, Seth R, Heaton CM, Wai KC. PMID: 38445792.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    17. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in salivary gland cancers treated with pembrolizumab. Head Neck. 2024 01; 46(1):129-137. Lee RH, Truong A, Wu X, Kang H, Algazi AP, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Heaton CM, Ryan WR, Ha PK, Wai KC. PMID: 37897202.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    18. Management of Pediatric Persistent Asymptomatic Cervical Lymphadenopathy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Jan; 170(1):69-75. Harris JE, Patel NN, Wai K, Rosbe KW. PMID: 37418178.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Dynamic CD8+ T cell responses to cancer immunotherapy in human regional lymph nodes are disrupted in metastatic lymph nodes. Cell. 2023 03 16; 186(6):1127-1143.e18. Rahim MK, Okholm TLH, Jones KB, McCarthy EE, Liu CC, Yee JL, Tamaki SJ, Marquez DM, Tenvooren I, Wai K, Cheung A, Davidson BR, Johri V, Samad B, O'Gorman WE, Krummel MF, van Zante A, Combes AJ, Angelo M, Fong L, Algazi AP, Ha P, Spitzer MH. PMID: 36931243; PMCID: PMC10348701.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 215     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    20. Patterns of Postoperative Trismus Following Mandibulectomy and Fibula Free Flap Reconstruction. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jan 16; 15(2). Lee RH, Evans C, Laus J, Sanchez C, Wai KC, Knott PD, Seth R, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Ryan WR, Heaton CM, Park AM, Ha PK. PMID: 36672485; PMCID: PMC9856367.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2  
    21. Approaches to the Management of Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Nov 20; 14(22). Lee RH, Wai KC, Chan JW, Ha PK, Kang H. PMID: 36428790; PMCID: PMC9688467.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 25  
    22. The Role of ECM Remodeling, EMT, and Adhesion Molecules in Cancerous Neural Invasion: Changing Perspectives. Adv Biol (Weinh). 2022 09; 6(9):e2200039. Mukherjee A, Ha P, Wai KC, Naara S. PMID: 35798312.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    23. Feasibility of accelerated image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy with inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA-HDRBT) for post-operative treatment of pathologically node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue. Brachytherapy. 2022 Sep-Oct; 21(5):686-691. Cheung CK, Chew J, Wai K, Calkins SM, Ha PK, Ryan WR, Cunha A, Yom SS, Hsu IC, Chan JW. PMID: 35715306.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Is the clinical head impulse test helpful in cochlear implantation candidacy evaluation? World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Mar; 9(1):45-52. Jiam NT, Cai Y, Wai KC, Polite C, Kramer K, Sharon JD. PMID: 37006747; PMCID: PMC10050961.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1  
    25. Risk of Pathologic Extranodal Extension and Other Adverse Features After Transoral Robotic Surgery in Patients With HPV-Positive Oropharynx Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 12 01; 147(12):1080-1088. Zebolsky AL, George E, Gulati A, Wai KC, Carpenter P, Van Zante A, Ha PK, Heaton CM, Ryan WR. PMID: 34673904; PMCID: PMC8532032.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Molecular Markers that Matter in Salivary Malignancy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun; 54(3):613-627. Wai KC, Kang H, Ha PK. PMID: 34024488.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. De-intensification strategies in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma-a narrative review. Ann Transl Med. 2020 Dec; 8(23):1601. Strohl MP, Wai KC, Ha PK. PMID: 33437800; PMCID: PMC7791209.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 30  
    28. Head and neck surgery during the coronavirus-19 pandemic: The University of California San Francisco experience. Head Neck. 2021 02; 43(2):622-629. Wai KC, Xu MJ, Lee RH, El-Sayed IH, George JR, Heaton CM, Knott PD, Park AM, Ryan WR, Seth R, Ha PK. PMID: 33098178.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. Evolving Otolaryngology Resident Roles and Concerns at the Peak of the US COVID-19 Pandemic. Head Neck. 2020 12; 42(12):3712-3719. Cai Y, Gulati A, Jiam NT, Wai KC, Shuman EA, Pletcher SD, Durr ML, Chang JL. PMID: 32926482.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsPHPublic Health
    30. Otolaryngology Resident Practices and Perceptions in the Initial Phase of the U.S. COVID-19 Pandemic. Laryngoscope. 2020 11; 130(11):2550-2557. Cai Y, Jiam NT, Wai KC, Shuman EA, Roland LT, Chang JL. PMID: 32368800; PMCID: PMC7267342.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    31. Molecular Diagnostics in Human Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells. 2020 02 22; 9(2). Wai KC, Strohl MP, van Zante A, Ha PK. PMID: 32098320; PMCID: PMC7072739.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    32. Maternal Black Race and Persistent Wheezing Illness in Former Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial. J Pediatr. 2018 07; 198:201-208.e3. Wai KC, Hibbs AM, Steurer MA, Black DM, Asselin JM, Eichenwald EC, Ballard PL, Ballard RA, Keller RL, Trial of Late Surfactant (TOLSURF) Study Group. PMID: 29627188; PMCID: PMC6019148.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. The Randomized, Controlled Trial of Late Surfactant: Effects on Respiratory Outcomes at 1-Year Corrected Age. J Pediatr. 2017 04; 183:19-25.e2. Keller RL, Eichenwald EC, Hibbs AM, Rogers EE, Wai KC, Black DM, Ballard PL, Asselin JM, Truog WE, Merrill JD, Mammel MC, Steinhorn RH, Ryan RM, Durand DJ, Bendel CM, Bendel-Stenzel EM, Courtney SE, Dhanireddy R, Hudak ML, Koch FR, Mayock DE, McKay VJ, Helderman J, Porta NF, Wadhawan R, Palermo L, Ballard RA, TOLSURF Study Group. PMID: 28100402; PMCID: PMC5367937.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    34. Characteristics of Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns Undergoing Tracheotomy: A Secondary Analysis of the Trial of Late Surfactant Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 01 01; 143(1):13-19. Wai KC, Keller RL, Lusk LA, Ballard RA, Chan DK, Trial of Late Surfactant (TOLSURF) Study Group. PMID: 27583380.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Early Cumulative Supplemental Oxygen Predicts Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in High Risk Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns. J Pediatr. 2016 Oct; 177:97-102.e2. Wai KC, Kohn MA, Ballard RA, Truog WE, Black DM, Asselin JM, Ballard PL, Rogers EE, Keller RL, Trial of Late Surfactant (TOLSURF) Study Group. PMID: 27470692; PMCID: PMC5037007.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 39     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Fetal ultrasound markers of severity predict resolution of pulmonary hypertension in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug; 213(2):216.e1-8. Lusk LA, Wai KC, Moon-Grady AJ, Basta AM, Filly R, Keller RL. PMID: 25797231; PMCID: PMC4519413.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    37. Persistence of pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography predicts short-term outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Pediatr. 2015 Feb; 166(2):251-6.e1. Lusk LA, Wai KC, Moon-Grady AJ, Steurer MA, Keller RL. PMID: 25453248; PMCID: PMC4308510.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 42     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    38. B-type natriuretic peptide: prognostic marker in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Pediatr Res. 2014 Dec; 76(6):549-54. Steurer MA, Moon-Grady AJ, Fineman JR, Sun CE, Lusk LA, Wai KC, Keller RL. PMID: 25188741; PMCID: PMC4232979.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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