Michael J. Cavnar, MD

Cavnar earned his medical degree from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Afterward, he completed five years of a general surgery residency at New York University School of Medicine. He then completed a two-year fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City, the same institution where he spent the previous three years completing laboratory research under the guidance of Dr. Ronald DeMatteo through the Surgical Oncology Research Training Program. After the conclusion of 14 years of rigorous medical and surgical training in New York City, Cavnar was recruited to UK to join the Section of Surgical Oncology at the Markey Cancer Center in 2017.

Cavnar’s clinical interests include treating cancers of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, stomach and small intestine, as well as abdominal sarcomas such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor. His current research focuses on clinical application of hepatic artery infusion (HAI) pump therapy for cancers of the liver, translational research on progression factors in gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and evaluation of biomarkers for detection of recurrence in pancreatic cancer. In 2020, Dr. Cavnar initiated a program of HAI chemotherapy at the University of Kentucky as a part of a clinical trial, becoming the only HAI program in the state. This treatment is used for colorectal cancer metastases to the liver, as well as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. He is actively involved in the HAI Consortium Research Network (HCRN), a collaboration of over 60 worldwide institutions studying HAI. Cavnar is member of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, and is the site principal investigator for multiple cooperative group trials at the University of Kentucky.

Overall, with the expertise he gained through his training, Cavnar hopes to provide care and treatment to patients at UK HealthCare with a broad array of complex oncologic problems.

Personal Statement

I believe the best outcomes for patients with complex oncologic problems are accomplished through careful, detailed, multidisciplinary planning. In other words, measure twice, cut once. Cancer surgery is much more than just cutting and sewing. It involves careful coordination of many factors, including chemotherapy, radiation, nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, optimization of physical and mental health, family support, and much more. Through good teamwork and communication, I believe this can be achieved.

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