Dr. Paul H. Sugarbaker is now retired from Washington Cancer Institute. Mesothelioma patients can seek specialized treatment from other doctors near Washington, D.C., or in nearby states.
01. Doctor Overview
Doctor Overview
Dr. Paul H. Sugarbaker is a retired mesothelioma specialist. At Washington Cancer Institute, he was the Chief of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program and Director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies.
Dr. Sugarbaker specialized in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma by using a combination of cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy. He was also involved in the study of rare diseases such as pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal mesothelioma, abdominal sarcomas and peritoneal carcinomatosis. He is currently working on an analysis of data gathered from his years of practice and research, with a focus on peritoneal malignancies.
He also founded the Foundation for Applied Research in Gastrointestinal Oncology (FARGO) in 1993. The non-profit organization was developed to promote research, education and patient care in gastrointestinal oncology. Their goal is to transfer research in science into innovations in caring for patients. FARGO provides financial and administrative support and space for advancing the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
Dr. Sugarbaker has published more than 780 scientific and scholarly articles, books and reports. His textbook on sarcoma surgery was translated into five languages. He also co-authored “Update on Chemotherapeutic Agents Utilized for Perioperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy” that was published in The Oncologist. As a leading mesothelioma expert, Dr. Sugarbaker continues to share his expertise with the mesothelioma community through his research and analysis of past patients, making strides in treatment for the cancer.
02. Fast Facts
Doctor Fast Facts
Former Specialties: General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology
Other Interests & Specialties: Gastrointestinal cancer, gynecologic malignancy, peritoneal mesothelioma, malignancies with metastasis to the abdominal cavity, peritoneal carcinomatosis and treatment with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in combination with surgery, peritonectomy.
Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board of Surgery Certification in Surgery, Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, E.T. Krementz Award for Best Research Development from the 8th International Conference of Regional Cancer Treatment, Merium Ann Simone Distinguished Service Award from the International Spirit of Life Foundation, Nurses’ Choice Physician Collaboration Award from the Washington Hospital Center
Education & Experience:
- Cornell University Medical College
- Residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (now Brigham and Women’s Hospital)
- Master’s Degree in Immunology at the Harvard School of Arts and Sciences
- Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital
03. Publications
Publications
Management of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Using Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Chemotherapy. Journal of Oncology Practice. October 2016;12(10):928-935. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2016.011908
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Multi-Institutional Experience. Journal of Clinical Oncology. December 2009;27(36):6237-6242. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2009.23.9640
Diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma: The Washington Cancer Institute experience. Seminars in Oncology. February 2002;29(1):51-61. doi: 10.1053/sonc.2002.30236
