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Georgios V. Georgakis, MD, PhD: GI Cancer Care at Stony Brook Cancer Center Combines Skill and Appropriate Application BY DANIEL K. BRANTLEY COMPREHENSIVE GA STROINTESTINAL CANCER CARE USES TODAY'S ADVANCES TO CRE ATE TOMORROW'S SUCCESSES. A DI AG NO SI S OF pa ncreatic ca ncer has long resulted in individualized care. However, one aspect of the treatment plan is often the same — most plans begin with surgica l remova l of the pancreas. At times, this one-size-fits-all approach has been followed by early recurrence of the cancer (within a year of surgery), excessive a nd unnecessa r y surg ica l complications, and poor outcomes. Though immediate surgical interven- tion was a long-sta nding sta nda rd of care, that standard has been questioned. At Stony Brook Cancer Center and other for wa rd-thinking facilities, previous results are guiding future efforts. "By studying our failures in the past, we rea l i zed we ne eded t o ch a n ge," says G eorg ios V. G eorga k is , M D, PhD, surgica l oncologist specia lizing in ga strointestina l robotic-a ssisted su rger y a nd A ssi s t a nt P rofessor i n the Depa r tment of Surger y, Division of Surg ica l Oncolog y at Stony Brook Cancer Center. " With innovative tech- niques, research and obser vation, the whole medica l community is pushing the envelope for better ca re, not only to prolong life but to provide a better qua lity of life." A TRUE MULTIDISCIPLINARY PARTNERSHIP One specific area in which this quest has played out is when handling disseminated cancer in the abdominal cavity, also known as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Previously, patients experiencing this disease were relegated to what Dr. Georgakis deems a "horrible death." A deeper understanding of the disease has led to the development of a novel approach. With appropriate candidates, the surgi- cal oncologist painstakingly removes all recognized cancer cells. Chemotherapy is subsequently administered directly within the abdomen. Through this approach, the Stony Brook Ca ncer Center ca re team slows the progression of disease. As the disease progression slows, the patient enjoys improved qua lity of life. Life expectancy a lso improves. Beneficial as such a therapy is, it comes with the expected limitations. " I n c a n c e r , b i o l o g y i s k i n g , " Dr. Georga kis says. "If we're dea ling with an aggressive tumor, we can't do much. But when we provide the right treatment to the right patient, we have the best results." P rov id i n g t he r i g ht t reat ment t o the right patient depends upon a team a ppr o a c h . A t S t ony B r o ok C a n c e r Center, Dr. Georgakis and other surgi- ca l oncologists confer and collaborate with medica l oncologists and radiation oncologists. Together with other special- ists, they serve as the Cancer Center's tumor board. Georgios V. Georgakis, MD, PhD, surgical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal robotic-assisted surger y and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surger y, Division of Surgical Oncology at Stony Brook Cancer Center 1 2❱❱❱❱❱ P H Y S I C I A N S P O T L I G H T