Dr. Michael P. La Quaglia

Dr. Michael P. La Quaglia is a dedicated pediatric surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he holds the Joseph H. Burchenal Chair in Pediatrics. He provides surgical care for a broad range of pediatric malignancies, including Wilms' tumors, neuroblastoma, liver tumors, desmoplastic small round cell tumors, sarcomas, melanomas, and thyroid tumors. As part of a team performing more than 500 pediatric cancer surgeries annually, one of the highest volumes of any institution in the world, Dr. La Quaglia brings exceptional expertise in complex and high-risk procedures, including surgery for neuroblastoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumors, and intricate liver and thyroid operations. He is also committed to applying minimally invasive techniques such as thoracoscopy and laparoscopy whenever possible, helping patients recover more quickly and return to normal activities.

Dr. La Quaglia is actively engaged in research aimed at improving outcomes for children with cancer. He collaborates with colleagues to evaluate histone deacetylase inhibitors as novel anticancer agents, a class of drugs that work by disabling enzymes cancer cells require for growth. He has studied the mechanisms of cancer metastasis and is investigating the role of angiogenesis in this process, with the goal of identifying strategies to halt the spread of disease. He leads clinical trials, including one examining radioimmunotherapy for desmoplastic small round cell tumors, and supports tumor tissue banking for neuroblastoma and sarcoma to advance future research. He has received recognition for his contributions to the National Cancer Institute's Pediatric Physician Data Query information summaries and was honored with the Willet F. Whitmore Award for Clinical Excellence from Memorial Sloan Kettering. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

On a national level, Dr. La Quaglia serves as Chairperson of the Surgical Committee of the Children's Oncology Group and is a member and past chairman of the Pediatric Surgical Association Cancer Committee. He is committed to teaching and mentoring surgical fellows and residents, helping to shape the next generation of pediatric oncologic surgeons. His greatest professional satisfaction comes from his work with young patients and their families, and he approaches every case with the dedication and personal commitment of caring for each child as his own.