David A August,MD Chief

Chief's Message:

The Division of Surgical Oncology provides an integrated program for surgical cancer care and research within the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The continued growth, maturation, and success of our clinical and research programs has been accompanied by successful recruitment of talented and accomplished faculty who provide new expertise and support of these programs. The Division strives to provide outstanding clinical care across the spectrum of surgical oncology and to conduct leading edge research in cancer detection, treatment, and prevention.

The Division is comprised of the following faculty:

• Chief: David A August, MD; Professor
• Elisa V Bandera, MD, PhD; Assistant Professor
• Christopher J. Gannon, M.D.; Assistant Professor
• David H Gorski, MD, PhD; Associate Professor
• James S Goydos, MD; Associate Professor
• Thomas J Kearney, MD; Associate Professor
• Laurie J. Kirstein, M.D.; Assistant Professor
• Edmund C Lattime, PhD; Professor
• Jonathan H Lee, MD; Assistant Professor

Each faculty member is actively involved in academic and educational activities of the Department of Surgery and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the clinical multidisciplinary programs of the Cancer Institute.  These programs include:

• Breast Oncology / New Jersey Comprehensive Breast Care Center
• Gastrointestinal / Hepatobiliary Oncology
• Melanoma and Soft Tissue Oncology
• Phase I / Developmental Therapeutics Program
• The Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center

Basic Science Research:

The Division includes Principal Laboratory Investigators, whose areas of interest include: Angiogenesis control and regulation; apoptosis; cellular adhesion; cytokine expression and regulation; virally-mediated immuno-modulatory gene therapy, and and pancreatic and melanoma cancer biology.

Each investigator maintains an active research laboratory interacting with colleagues within the institution and with extramural collaborators. They have successfully competed for grant support from Federal and other granting agencies.

Translational Research:

The Division works to translate basic science research directly to the care of patients. These efforts involve close collaborations between clinicians and laboratory-based researchers. Current translational projects include initiatives in breast cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, pancreas cancer, and colorectal cancer. 

Clinical Trials:

The Division participates in a wide variety of cooperative group clinical trials specific to particular tumor sites under the auspices of NSABP, ECOG and other cooperative trial groups. In addition, Division Faculty design, sponsor, and conduct investigator-initiated clinical trials examining novel screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches, new surgical techniques, and treatment outcomes.

Cancer Control and Prevention:

Division members are actively involved in efforts to prevent cancer development and improve diagnosis and treatment through clinical trials and population-based studies. These initiatives include studies in colorectal, breast, and pancreas cancer prevention, and epidemiologic studies of the role of diet in cancer development, with a particular focus upon ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Education:

Division faculty has a longstanding commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate education. We have been honored by consistently high evaluation ratings provided by medical students and house-staff rotating on the Division’s clinical services.

In addition, pre- and post-doctoral research opportunities are available through an NIH T-32 training grant offering full-time laboratory research training to individuals who wish to gain an in-depth experience in basic science and translational research.

At present, the Division hosts a rotating Women’s Health Fellow from the Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency. Beginning in July 2005, the Division is planning to offer a formal Breast Oncology Fellowship for surgical trainees who seek additional clinical and research training after completion of their residencies.

Contact Us:

For further information, please contact the Division of Surgical Oncology Administrative office at: (732) 235-7701.