Who was Dr. David Sugarbaker?
Dr. David Sugarbaker was a thoracic surgeon and a pioneer in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a substance that was used in many industrial products and processes. Dr. Sugarbaker passed away on August 29, 2018, at age 65, leaving a legacy of innovation and research in the fight against this rare and aggressive disease.
![Dr. David Sugarbaker](https://infomesothelioma.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/151023372.jpg)
What training did Dr. David Sugarbaker have?
Dr. David Sugarbaker graduated from Cornell University with a medical degree in 1979, and completed residencies at several prestigious hospitals, including Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, and the Hospital for Sick Children. the University of Toronto. Additionally, he trained under his father, Dr. Everett Sugarbaker, a renowned surgical oncologist who inspired him to pursue thoracic surgery.
What positions did Dr. David Sugarbaker hold?
Dr. David Sugarbaker held several leadership positions in academia and clinical settings, including:
• Professor of Surgery and Chief of General Thoracic Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery and Director of the Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
• Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Chief of Surgical Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Executive Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
• Founder and Director of the International Mesothelioma Program, a collaborative network between doctors, researchers, patients and families to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mesothelioma
What contributions did Dr. David Sugarbaker make to mesothelioma?
Dr. David Sugarbaker made several contributions to mesothelioma, including:
• Created the first “trimodal” therapeutic approach for pleural mesothelioma, consisting of a combination of radical surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which has significantly improved survival rates for patients with this disease.
• Designed and perfected the technique of extrapleural pneumonectomy, which consists of the removal of the affected lung, pleural lining, diaphragm, pericardium and lymph nodes, followed by reconstruction of the removed structures, which has proven to be an effective option for patients with advanced-stage pleural mesothelioma.
• Developed and led clinical trials to test new treatments and therapies for mesothelioma, such as immunotherapy, gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, intraoperative chemotherapy, intrapleural hyperthermic chemotherapy, and intraoperative radiation therapy.
• Researched and published on the genetic, molecular, pathological, clinical and surgical aspects of mesothelioma, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of this disease.
What recognition did Dr. David Sugarbaker receive for his work?
Dr. David Sugarbaker received numerous awards for his work, including:
• The Excellence in Thoracic Surgery Award from the American Society for Thoracic Surgery in 2017.
• The American Association of Thoracic Surgeons Leadership Award in Thoracic Surgery in 2016.
• The Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons in 2014.
• The Professional Achievement Award from the Cornell University Alumni Association in 2013.
• The Pioneer in Thoracic Surgery Award from the American Society for Thoracic Surgery in 2012.
![Dr. David Sugarbaker](https://infomesothelioma.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mcablog_0021_Heather-and-Dr.-Sugarbaker-min.jpg)
What legacy did Dr. David Sugarbaker leave behind mesothelioma?
Dr. David Sugarbaker left a legacy of innovation and research in mesothelioma, reflected in:
• The creation and development of the International Mesothelioma Program, which remains the most prestigious and recognized treatment and research program in the world for this disease.
• The training and inspiration of hundreds of thoracic surgeons, oncologists, researchers, and other health professionals who have followed in his footsteps and continued his work in the fight against mesothelioma.
• The publication of more than 400 scientific articles, book chapters, and books on mesothelioma, which have contributed knowledge and evidence to the medical and scientific community.
• The care and support of thousands of patients and family members affected by mesothelioma, to whom he provided hope and quality of life.
What plans did Dr. David Sugarbaker have for the future?
Dr. David Sugarbaker had several projects for the future, such as:
• Consolidate and expand the Lung Institute and Mesothelioma Treatment Center at Baylor College of Medicine, where he moved in 2014 to create a center of excellence in thoracic surgery and pulmonary oncology.
• Lead and participate in new clinical trials to test innovative and personalized treatments for mesothelioma, based on the genetic and molecular analysis of tumors.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other national and international centers and institutions dedicated to the study and treatment of mesothelioma, to share experiences, resources, and results.
• Educate and motivate new generations of doctors and researchers interested in mesothelioma, so that they follow their vocation and passion for this disease.
What challenges does mesothelioma face today?
Mesothelioma faces several challenges today, such as:
• The lack of awareness and prevention about the risks of asbestos, which continues to be a threat to public health, especially in developing countries, where its use is neither regulated nor prohibited.
• The difficulty of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma, which is a rare, complex, and heterogeneous disease, which manifests late and with non-specific symptoms, and which requires a multidisciplinary and specialized approach.
• The lack of resources and funding for research and development of new treatments and therapies for mesothelioma, which is a disease with high mortality and low survival, and which has a limited response to current therapeutic options.
• The lack of support and assistance to patients and family members affected by mesothelioma, who suffer a great physical, emotional, social, and economic impact from this disease, and who need comprehensive and humanized care.