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01. Doctor Overview

Doctor Overview

Dr. Alexander’s research and clinical practice focus on the use of innovative surgical techniques aimed at difficult-to-treat cancers, especially advanced cancers that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. While his laboratory research investigates several different types of progressive cancers, Dr. Alexander has a particular interest in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma—a rare cancer type that occurs in the thin cell walls (peritoneum) of the abdominal cavity. Dr. Alexander’s research involves analyzation of mesothelioma tumors at the molecular level—exploring the genes and proteins within tumors in an effort to identify the best treatment approaches for patients with this disease. Dr. Alexander also specializes in the treatment of peritoneal dissemination—the spread of tumors within the abdominal cavity—which he identifies as “a very difficult clinical challenge.” Dr. Alexander believes that the best possible outcomes for patients can be achieved by integrating the strengths of several different treatment modalities for cancer. For example, he often employs a strategy of combined chemotherapy, surgery, and regional intraabdominal chemotherapy in the treatment of his patients which often results in “very significantly improved outcomes.”

A noted lecturer on an international level and published author of more than 250 journal articles, Dr. Alexander is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Annals of Surgical Oncology. He also serves as a reviewer for several prominent scientific publications, including Cancer Research, Annals of Surgery, Surgery, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Clinical Cancer Research. Dr. Alexander is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Surgical Association, and the Society of Surgical Oncology, as well as a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of University Surgeons, the Association for Academic Surgery, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

02. Fast Facts

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Surgery

Specialties/Areas of Interest: Gastrointestinal cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma, metastatic solid organ cancers, peritoneal surface metastases and surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board of Surgery Certification, National Institutes of Health Award of Merit, America’s Top Physicians, member of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, served on the editorial board of Surgery journal, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American Surgical Association, Fellow of the Society of Surgical Oncology, honorary member of the Royal College of Surgeons, former Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research

Education & Experience:

  • Residency in General Surgery with National Capital Consortium
  • Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Internship with National Capital Consortium
  • Medical Degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine
03. Publications

Publications