Surgical Oncology Research

The research element of surgical oncology practice is a key to providing the best possible care for patients with complex cancer problems. Research being done today will help improve outcomes for patients in the future. Similarly, your surgical oncologist's contribution to and familiarity with results of past research ensure you receive the best treatment possible today.

As Medical Director of Cancer Research at Legacy Health System I am working on several exciting cancer research initiatives. A cornerstone of this work involves our tumor bank. The first step in enabling research into the differences between tumors is to preserve them in a way that allows a wide variety of tests to be performed on them in the future. The tumor bank enables removed tumors to be permanently stored in a way that will allow future molecular testing. All patient information is carefully protected and samples of tumors are retained only if a patient first provides their written consent.

There is much to be learned about the individual genetic differences between cancers, with the potential to make care more individualized for patients. Our tumor bank has been operational for over one year and now has a wide variety of tumors stored in it. Several new scientific collaborations have arisen using specimens from the tumor bank. This research is aimed at increasing our understanding of the mechanisms that allow tumors to survive and grow.

Selected examples of my previous research are listed below:

Morris KT, Song TJ, and Fong Y. "Recent advancements in diagnosis and treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver." Surgical Oncology, November 2006; 15(3): 129-134.

Morris KT, Busam K, and Brady MS. "Primary Melanoma with Regression: Implications for Management." American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings. Volume 23(16S), 7530.

Morris KT, Johnson NM, Hudson V, Toth-Fejel S, and Pommier RF. "Effects of a commonly used phytoestrogen on hormone sensitive breast cancer: An in vitro study." Pacific Coast Surgical Association, 73rd Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 18th, 2002.

Morris KT, Toth-Fejel S, Schmidt J, Fletcher WS, and Pommier RF. "High DHEA predicts breast cancer cell growth in tissue culture: A renewed role for adrenalectomy." Surgery, December 2001; 130(6): 947-53.

Morris KT, Stevens J, Fletcher WS, Pommier RF, and Vetto JT. "Usefulness of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy for the identification of SLN location in melanoma." American Journal of Surgery, May 2001; 181: 423-426.

Morris KT, Johnson N, Dorsey P, Krasikov N, and Allen M. "Genetic counseling impacts decision for prophylactic surgery for patients perceived to be at high risk for breast cancer." American Journal of Surgery, May 2001; 181: 431-433.

Morris KT, Marquez C, and Vetto JT. "Prevention of local recurrence after surgical debulking of nodal and subcutaneous melanoma deposits by hypofractionated radiation therapy." Annals of Surgical Oncology, October 2000; 7(9): 680-4.

Morris KT, Johnson N, Homer L, and Walts D. "A comparison of complementary therapy use between breast cancer patients and patients with other primary tumor sites." American Journal of Surgery, May 2000; 179(5): 407-11.

Morris KT, Pommier RF, and Fletcher WS. "Substantial increase in survival of carcinoid patients with hepatic arterial infusion therapy." American Radium Society, April 2000.