Paul H. Sugarbaker

Profile

On the topic of peritoneal mesothelioma, there is no bigger authority than Paul Sugarbaker, M.D., a director at the Washington Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C.

And on the topic of one day finding a cure for the disease, there is no hesitation or indecision on his part.

I think it can be cured. I’m convinced that it can be cured. There will be a cure," said Sugarbaker, director of the peritoneal surface malignancy program. "I don’t share the pessimism that some others have.

Sugarbaker has been studying different cancers for more than 30 years.

He is best known for his multi-modal approach to therapy, especially with peritoneal mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the abdomen and has no known cure. It is usually caused by exposure to deadly asbestos fibers.

"I would hope we'll get to the point where patients will go home cancer free," he said. "And then just follow up with their oncologist.''

Sugarbaker has based his optimism on the gradual and most recent advancements in treatment, many of which he has helped pioneer. The cytoreductive surgery in combination with the perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been especially effective with the right patients.

The steps have been incremental over the last 20 years. There are five drugs that we use sequentially now in these patients with a reasonable number of adverse events," he said. "We do have terrific outcomes with most of the patients who we take to the operating room. The most satisfying thing is seeing people do well in the long run.

Sugarbaker admits that the key to his recent success is finding the right patients. History has shown him that younger is better and that females have a better chance than males.

"Patients who are young and strong, with a small volume of disease and a minimally aggressive disease, they have the best chance," he said. "I can't take care of all mesothelioma patients. We're selective. They don't get to us until we've reviewed their pathology, reviewed their history, reviewed their CT scans, found the ones we think can benefit. That's extremely important."

Sugarbaker has lectured extensively on the subject of mesothelioma. He has published more than 780 works. One of his textbooks on cancer has been translated into five languages.

And while he is adamant that a cure is coming, he doesn't give false hope. He rejected a recent suggestion that mesothelioma in the future could become something like diabetes, a manageable disease.

"I know the medical oncologists do that, but I don't like that comparison," he said. "That's false hope for many. Right now we have two young women in the hospital - both had minimally aggressive (mesothelioma) disease. They had the complete cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. And their prognosis after 10 years is 80 percent free of disease."

Bio

There are oncology surgeons throughout the country today still using the techniques that Paul Sugarbaker, M.D., pioneered years ago.

While his brother, David Sugarbaker, M.D., is renowned for his work in Boston, Paul Sugarbaker has carved an equally impressive career in Washington, D.C., serving as the director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program at the Washington Cancer Institute.

Paul Sugarbaker is considered one of the nation's innovators and authorities on the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen and is traced to asbestos exposure.

He has also been involved in the treatment of other rare diseases, such as abdominal sarcomas, peritoneal carcinomatosis and pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Sugarbaker is best known for his expertise in gastrointestinal oncology and colorectal cancer surgery, developing a multi-modal approach to the treatment of different cancers. His use of cytoreductive surgery, coupled with intraperitoneal chemotherapy, has become widespread because of the success he experienced.

His research has been widely published. His textbook on sarcoma surgery has been translated into five languages, and he has received international praise for his work.

Sugarbaker is the founding member of the International Society of Regional Cancer Therapy and a member of the editorial board for the European Journal of Surgical Oncology. He created the Foundation for Applied Research in Gastrointestinal Oncology.

Publications

• http://www.surgicaloncology.com/gpmtitle.htm
• http://www.surgicaloncology.com/attitle.htm
• http://www.surgicaloncology.com/psmtitle.htm