Specialists

J. NICOLAS VAUTHEY, M.D., F.A.C.S.

LEE M. ELLIS, M.D., F.A.C.S.

STEVEN A. CURLEY, M.D., F.A.C.S.

YEHUDA Z. PATT, M.D., F.A.C.P.

PAULO HOFF, M.D.

CHUSILP CHARNSANGAVEJ, M.D.

MARC FENSTERMACHER, M.D.

MARSHALL E. HICKS, M.D.

FRANK A. MORELLO, JR., M.D.

CHRISTOPHER H. CRANE, M.D.

MICHAEL T. DEAVERS, M.D.

ARTHUR G. ENCARNACION, BSN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. NICOLAS VAUTHEY, M.D., F.A.C.S.

 

Dr. Vauthey received his medical degree from Lausanne University Medical School, Switzerland. He pursued a surgical residency at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans followed by a fellowship in Hepatobiliary Surgery in the Department of Digestive Surgery and Liver Transplantation at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He then completed a Surgical Oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He then held the position of Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Florida. Currently, he is Associate Professor and Chief of the Liver Service, Department of Surgical Oncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Vauthey’s practice focuses on hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary malignancies. He is Study Chair in the Hepatobiliary Committee of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group. He is Associate Editor of the journal Liver Transplantation and Surgery. Dr. Vauthey received numerous awards including the Lester Dragstedt physician scientist award of the Department of Surgery at the University of Florida. Dr. Vauthey is the author/co–author of over 80 publications, 10 book chapters and has given lectures and courses at universities worldwide.

 SELECTED REFERENCES:

Vauthey JN, Blumgart LH. Recent advances in the management of cholangiocarcinomas. Semin Liver Dis 1994; 14: 109–114.

Vauthey JN, Klimstra D, Franceschi D, Tao Y, Fortner JG, Blumgart LH, Brennan MF. Factors affecting long–term outcome after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Surg 1995; 169: 28–35.

Vauthey JN, Marsh RdeW, Davis GL. Treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. N Engl J Med 1995; 333: 877.

Vauthey JN, Marsh RdeW, Cendan JC, Chu NM, Copeland EM III. Arterial therapy of hepatic colorectal metastases. Br J Surg 1996; 83: 447–455.

Vauthey JN. Liver imaging: a surgeon’s perspective. Radiol Clin N Am 1998; 36(2): 445-457.

Lauwers, GY, Vauthey JN. Pathological aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma: a critical review of prognostic factors. Hepatogastroenterology 1998; 45: 1197-202.

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LEE M. ELLIS, M.D., F.A.C.S.

 Dr. Ellis completed medical school in 1983 at the University of Virginia. He completed his residency in general surgery in 1990 where he spent two years doing basic science research in the biology of metastasis. Dr. Ellis completed surgical oncology training at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1992 where he continued his research in the biology of metastasis under the supervision of I.J. Fidler, D.V.M., Ph.D. In addition to having a clinical interest in colorectal cancer, liver metastasis and liver malignancies, Dr. Ellis has a very active basic science research laboratory investigating molecular alterations that lead to colon cancer metastasis to the liver. Dr. Ellis is interactive with industry in developing new drugs that block the angiogenesis of tumors. He is also active in integrating basic science research into clinical protocols.

 SELECTED REFERENCES:

Takahashi, Y., Kitadai, Y., Bucana, C., Cleary, K.R., and Ellis, L.M. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (KDR) correlates with vascularity, metastasis and proliferation of human colon cancer. Cancer Res., 55:3964-3968, 1995.

Ellis, L.M., Staley, C.A., Liu, W., Fleming, R.Y.D., Parikh, N.U., Bucana, C.D.,and Gallick, G.E. Down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in a human colon carcinoma cell line transfected with an antisense expression vector specific for c-src. J. Biol. Chem., 273(2):1052-1057, 1998.

Akagi, Y. Liu, W., Zebrowski, B. Xie, K., Ellis, L.M. Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Colon Cancer by Insulin-like Growth Factor-I. Cancer Res, 58:4008-4014, 1998.

Patt, Y.Z., Hoque, A., Roh, M., Ellis, L.M., Lozano, R., Carrasco, C.H., Charnsangavej, C., Cleary, K. Durable Clinical and Pathological Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) to Systemic and Hepatic Arterial Administration of Platinol, Recombinant Interferon a 2b, doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil (PIAF): A Communication Am J Clin Oncol, In Press, 1998.

Shaheen, R.M., Liu, W., Davis, D.W., Wilson, M.R., McMahon, J., McConkey, D.J., Ellis, L.M. A Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor to the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Inhibits Angiogenesis and Growth of Colon Cancer Liver Metastases. Surgical Forum. In Press, 1999.

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STEVEN A. CURLEY, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Steven A. Curley received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed a general surgery residency at the University of New Mexico Hospitals, and then completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Curley has been on the faculty in the Department of Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center since completing his fellowship. He is now Professor of Surgery and Chief of Gastrointestinal Tumor Surgery at M.D. Anderson. Dr. Curley’s clinical practice and research focuses on surgical and new treatments for patients with primary or metastatic liver tumors. Dr. Curley has been a pioneer in designing new treatments for patients with liver tumors, including radiofrequency ablation and several types of direct injection therapy. Dr. Curley is principal investigator on a number of protocols at M.D. Anderson involving radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors or use of novel therapies to treat hepatocellular cancer or colorectal cancer liver metastases. He is also principal investigator on an international protocol involved in screening high-risk hepatitis virus patients for hepatocellular cancer and then using surgical therapy, radiofrequency ablation, or other direct injection treatments to treat patients diagnosed with small hepatocellular cancers. Dr. Curley is the author or co-author of over 100 publications, and 22 book chapters, many dealing with the treatment of patients with hepatocellular cancer, gallbladder cancer, bile duct cancer, or liver metastases from a number of different tumor types.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Fuhrman GM, Curley SA, Hohn DC, Roh MS. Improved staging with intraoperative ultrasound and portal lymph node assessment improves survival following resection of colorectal liver metastases. Ann Surg Oncol 1995; 2:537-541.

McMasters KM, Tuttle TM, Leach SD, Rich T, Evans DB, Curley SA. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation enhances margin-negative resection rates for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Am J Surg 1997; 174:605-609.

Izzo F, Cremona F, Ruffolo F, Palaia R, Parisi V, Curley SA. Outcome of 67 hepatocellular cancer patients detected during screening of 1,125 chronic hepatitis patients. Ann Surg 1998; 227:513-518.

Izzo F, Cremona F, Delrio P, Leonardi E, Castello G, Pignata S, Daniele B, Curley SA. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in hepatocellular cancer: a more sensitive marker than alfa fetoprotein. Ann Surg Oncol 1999; 6(2):178-185.

Curley SA, Izzo F, Delrio P, Ellis LM, Granchi J, Vallone P, Fiore F, Cremona F. Radiofrequency ablation of unresectable primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies: results in 123 patients. Ann Surg 1999; 230:1-8.

Curley SA. Surgical management of hepatocellular cancer. In: Curley SA, ed. Liver Cancer. New York: Springer Verlag Publishers, 1998:28-52.

Curley SA. Diagnosis and treatment of primary gallbladder cancer. In: Curley SA, ed. Liver Cancer. New York: Springer Verlag Publishers, 1998:117-135.

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YEHUDA Z. PATT, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Dr. Patt completed his medical school in 1967 at the Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem, Israel. He spent three years with the Israel Defense Forces (last rank Captain). Completed a residency in internal medicine at Tel-Aviv University Medical School in Tel-Aviv, Israel and did basic science research in immunology at the Weitzman Institute of Research in Rehovot, Israel. He completed a fellowship in medical oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer in 1977. Since 1977, he has moved through the ranks of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center starting as an assistant professor and moving up to the rank of full professor. Dr. Patt has worked in the department of clinical immunology and biological therapy until 1984 and since that year in the department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Digestive Diseases. He has focused on the management of liver neoplasms including metastatic liver disease from colon cancer and published extensively about hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of chemotherapy for treatment of colon cancer liver metastases. In addition Dr. Patt concentrated on the epidemiology, prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biliary tree cancers. He has been supported by NIH as well as industry grants. Most recent publications which have emerged from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Hong Kong where his protocols have been implemented included the use of a four drug combination, cisplatin, interferon-a , Adriamycin, and 5-FU (PIAF) for systemic therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Current studies include anti-angiogenic agents such as thalidomide as well as other agents such as capecitabine (Xeloda) that can be tolerated by patients with severe underlying liver cirrhosis.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Patt YZ, Mavligit GM, Chuang VP, Wallace S, Johnston S, Benjamin RS, Valdivieso M, Hersh EM. Percutaneous hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of mitomycin C and Floxuridine (FUDR): An effective treatment for metastatic colorectal carcinoma in the liver. Cancer 46:261-265, 1980.

Patt YZ, Chuang VP, Wallace S, Hersh EM, Freireich EJ, Mavligit GM. The palliative role of hepatic arterial infusion and arterial occlusion in colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver. Lancet 1:349-351, 1981.

Patt YZ, Peters RE, Chuang VP, Wallace S, Mavligit GM. Effective retreatment of patients with colorectal cancer and liver metastases. American Journal of Medicine 75:237-240, 1983.

Patt YZ, Chuang VP, Wallace S, Benjamin RS, Fuqua R, Mavligit GM. Hepatic arterial chemotherapy and occlusion for palliation of primary hepatocellular and unknown primary neoplasms in the liver. Cancer 51:1359-1363, 1983.

Patt YZ, McBride CM, Ames FC, Claghorn LJ, Cleary KR, Boddie AW, Charnsangavej C, Mavligit GM. Adjuvant perioperative hepatic arterial mitomycin-C and floxuridine combined with surgical resection of metastatic colorectal cancer in the liver. Cancer 59:867-873, 1987.

Leung TWT, Patt YZ, Wan-yee L, Ho SKW, Simon CHY, Chan ATC, Mok TSK, Yeo W, Liew C, Leung NWY, Tang AMY, Johnson PJ. Complete pathological Remission is possible with systemic combination chemotherapy for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Ca Res 5: 1676-1681, 1999

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PAULO HOFF, M.D.

Paulo Marcelo Gehm Hoff, MD, is Assistant Professor of Medicine at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Hoff is board certified in internal medicine and Medical Oncology.
Dr. Hoff received his medical degree from the University of Brasilia in Brazil. After his internship and residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital - University of Miami School of Medicine, he completed a fellowship and was Chief Fellow in Medical Oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Hoff is an active member of many societies, including the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Hematology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. Hoff has concentrated his research efforts on investigational studies of new chemotherapeutic agents and the treatment of gastrointestinal tract cancers with emphasis on drug development. He is currently principal investigator on multiple Phase I/II trials.

 SELECTED REFERENCES:

Hoff PM, Pazdur R, Benner SE, Canetta R: UFT and leucovorin: a review of its clinical development and therapeutic potential in the oral treatment of cancer. Anti-Cancer Drugs 9:479-490, 1998.

Chase JL, Hoff PM, Pazdur R: Management of colorectal cancer. In: Disease Management of Colorectal Cancer. R Pazdur (ed). GenQuest Biomedical Educational Services, San Diego, CA, pgs. 8-34, 1998.

Hoff PM, Pazdur R: Oral Chemotherapy. In: supplement to Clinical Oncology. Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Lichter AS, Niedderhuber JE (eds). Churchill-Livingston, NY, 1:3, pgs 1-10, 1998.

Brower ST, Hoff PM, Jones DV, Cunningham JD, Myerson RJ: Pancreatic cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, and neuroendocrine cancers of the GI tract. In: Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach, Third Edition. Pazdur R, Coia L, Hoskins WY, Wagman L (eds) PRR, Inc. Publishing, New York, 113-148, 1999.

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CHUSILP CHARNSANGAVEJ, M.D.

 

Dr. Chusilp Charnsangavej received his medical degree from Ramathibodi School of Medicine in Bangkok, Thailand. After completing a medical internship and a residency in Radiology at Albert Einstein Medical Center, New York; Dr. Charnsangavej came to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1980 as a fellow in Vascular Radiology and Special Procedures. Upon completion of his fellowship, he assumed the position of Assistant Professor of Radiology at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and Consultant at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York. He returned to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiology in 1983 as Associate Professor of Radiology. Currently Dr. Charnsangavej is Professor and Deputy Division Head for Research, a position he assumed in 1999. Dr. Charnsangavej’s clinical and research experiences have resulted in over 182 scientific publications and 45 book chapters. He has presented and moderated numerous lectures and workshops at national and international meetings. Over the years, Dr. Charnsangavej has been honored by two academic chairs in Radiology, Named Lectureships, Outstanding Awards and grant supports. In addition, Dr. Charnsangavej provides weekly clinical support for the pancreas and liver tumor conferences at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Charnsangavej’s research interest focuses on defining the appearance of various tumors and pseudotumors based on their morphologic appearance, anatomic location, and the hemodynamics of the tumor vasculature, using helical CT and dynamic MRI.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Charnsangavej C. Chemoembolization of liver tumors. Semin Intervent Radiol 1993; 10: 150-160.

Charnsangavej C, Cinqualbre A, Wallace S. Radiation changes in the liver, spleen, and pancreas: Imaging findings. Semin Roentgenol 1994; 29: 53-63.

Charnsangavej C, Wallace S. Interventional Radiologic techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatobiliary malignancy. In: H.J. Wanebo (ed.), Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach, pp. 597-605. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1997.

Charnsangavej C. Anatomy of the liver, bile duct, and pancreas. In: G.S. Gazelle, S. Saini and P.R. Mueller (eds.), Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Radiology: Imaging and Intervention, pp. 1-23. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 1998.

Loyer EM, Chin H, DuBrow RA, David CL, Eftekhari F, Charnsangavej C. Hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma: enhancement patterns with quadruple phase helical CT – a comparative study. Radiology 1999; 212: 866-875.

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MARC FENSTERMACHER, M.D.

 

 

 

 

 

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MARSHALL E. HICKS, M.D.

 

Dr. Hicks received his medical degree in 1982 from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. He served residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis and subsequently served a fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, CO. Dr Hicks was on the faculty in the Department of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri from 1988 through 1998. He is currently Chief of the Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Hicks' research interests include percutaneous gastrostomy, percutaneous thrombectomy, vena caval filters, and transarterial and percutaneous tumor treatment, including gene therapy.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Hicks ME, Surratt SJ, Picus D, Marx M, and Lang EV. Fluoroscopically guided percutaneous gastrostomy and gastroenterostomy: analysis of 158 consecutive cases. AJR; 154:725-728, 1990.

Hicks ME, Middleton WD, Picus D, Darcy MD, and Kleinhoffer MA. Prevalence of local venous thrombosis after transfemoral placement of a Bird's Nest vena caval filter. JVIR; 1:63-68, 1990.

Hicks ME, Malden ES, Vesely TM, Picus D, and Darcy MD. Prospective anatomic study of the inferior vena cava and renal veins: comparison of selective renal venography with cavography and relevance in filter placement. JVIR; 6:721-729, 1995.

Sharafuddin MJA, Hicks ME, Jenson ML, Morris JE, Drasler WJ, and Wilson GJ. Rheolytic thrombectomy with the use of the AngioJet-F105 catheter: preclinical evaluation of safety. JVIR; 8:939-945, 1997.

Duncan JR, Hicks ME, Cai SH, Brunt EM, Ponder KP. Embolization of portal vein branches induces hepatocyte replication in swine: A potential step in hepatic gene therapy. Radiology; 210:467-477,

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FRANK A. MORELLO, JR., M.D.

 

Dr. Frank Morello is a native Houstonian and graduated from Texas A&M University. After receiving his medical degree from The University of Texas-Houston Medical School, he completed a four-year Diagnostic Radiology residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He then went to Albany Medical Center in New York State to do a one-year specialty fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Morello’s practice focuses on both diagnosis and treatment of malignancies using radiological guidance and minimally invasive skills. He collaborates with the Liver Service offering his skills to patients with hepatic, pancreatic and biliary malignancies. Dr. Morello has spoken at national meetings and published on topics regarding hepatic and biliary interventions.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Morello FA Jr., Morettin LB. Omental interposition in cirrhotic portal hypertension: an unrecognized risk factor in transhepatic procedures. Oral and poster presentation at the Radiologic Society of North America meeting, Chicago, Illinois, 1997.

Morello FA Jr., Goodacre BW, Wittich GR, vanSonnenberg E. Beyond routine gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy: percutaneous feeding options in patients with endstage cancers. Poster presentation at the Radiologic Society of North America meeting, Chicago, Illinois, 1998.

Morello FA Jr., Siskin GP. Self-expandable metallic stent placement across an obstructive colon malignancy. Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Internet Case Presentation #1298-07, 1998.

Morello FA Jr., vanSonnenberg E, Wittich G, Goodacre BW. Coaxial trans-stent bypass to treat simultaneous malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction. American Journal of Radiology 1999; 173(2): 399-400.

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CHRISTOPHER H. CRANE, M.D.

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MICHAEL T. DEAVERS, M.D.

Dr. Michael Deavers received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans. He completed a transitional internship, and anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, followed by a surgical pathology fellowship at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He served as Medical Director of Surgical Pathology at Walter Reed and then returned to M. D. Anderson where he is currently Assistant Professor of Pathology. Dr. Deavers specializes in gynecologic, breast, and gastrointestinal pathology.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Deavers M, Guinee D, Koss M, and Travis W. Granular cell tumors of the lung: clinicopathologic study of 20 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 19(6):627-635, 1995.

Zhuang Z, Merino MJ, Vortmeyer AO, Bryant B, Lash AE, Wang C, Deavers MT, Shelton WF, Kapur S, Chandra RS. Identical genetic changes in different histological components of Wilms’ tumors. Journal of National Cancer Institute 89(15):1148-1152, 1997.

Silva EG, Tornos C, Deavers M, Kaisman K, Gray K, Gershenson D. The Induction of Epithelial Neoplasms in the Ovaries of Guinea Pigs by Estrogenic Stimulation. Gyn Oncol. 71:240-246, 1998.

Vick DJ, Goodman ZD, Deavers M, Cain J, Ishak KG. Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst: a study of six cases and review of the literature. Am J Surg Pathol 23(6):671-77, 1999.

Shaw P, Deavers M, Mills GB. Genetically Determined Ovarian Cancer, In Genetic Predisposition to Female Cancers. Editor Victor Vogel. In Press.

Vang R, Medeiros LJ, Chul SH, and Deavers M. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas lymphomas involving the uterus: A clinicopathologic analysis of 26 cases. Mod Pathol. In Press

Vang R, Medeiros LJ, Silva EG, Gershenson DM and Deavers M. Non -Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving the vagina: A clinicopathologic analysis of 14 cases. AJSP. In Press

Vang R, Silva EG, Medeiros LJ and Deavers M. Endometrial carcinoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma involving the gynecologic tract of the same patient: a report of 3 cases. Int J Gynecol Pathol. In Press

Gershenson DM, Deavers M, Diaz S, Tortolero-Luna G, Miller BE, Bast RC, Mills GB, and Silva. The prognostic significance of p53 expression in advanced stage ovarian serous borderline tumors. Clin Cancer Res. In Press

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ARTHUR G. ENCARNACION, RN, BSN

Arthur is a registered nurse and is currently working as a research nurse for Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, M.D. He has worked with oncology patients for two years and five years in the Intensive Care Unit setting.

Undergraduate: The University of Texas School of Nursing at The Health Science Center of Houston.

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