Research Laboratories

BAM: Breast and More

As an active breast surgeon, Dr. Plichta’s research largely focuses on clinical outcomes, including Breast and More (BAM!). Topics of interest include: breast cancer genetics, breast cancer risk, breast atypia, breast cancer in the elderly, breast surgery, and metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Determinants of Progression in Early Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Research efforts led by Jeffrey Marks, PhD, and E. Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH, focus on the earliest stages of breast cancer. Working at the center of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary projects on the disease, the Marks-Hwang laboratory studies the genetics, microenvironment, and evolution of early breast cancer. 

The Duke Endocrine Neoplasia Research Group

The Duke Endocrine Neoplasia Research Group is committed to providing high-quality research and training in the field of Endocrine Neoplasia. The multidisciplinary nature of this group makes it ideal to tackle the pressing issues of endocrine neoplasms and work toward bridging gaps in patient care at the individual and population levels.

Lidsky Research Laboratory

Dr. Lidsky is the Director of HPB Research at Duke University. He leads the Surgical Oncology Research Group, which was initiated by Dr. Blazer. This group, consisting of surgical oncology faculty, surgery trainees, and medical students, meets monthly to review ongoing research projects that utilize local and national datasets to study cancers of the liver, biliary tree, and pancreas, gastric cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, peritoneal malignancies, and melanoma, in additional to pre-malignant conditions such as intrapapillary mucinous neoplasms.

Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory

Dr. Allen’s laboratory focuses on translational research in the realm of pancreatic disease and cancer. The main focus of the laboratory is in studying a cystic precursor lesion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma called Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN). These cysts can occur in the main pancreatic duct as well as in the branch ducts of the pancreas. 

Phyllodes Tumor Research (PHYTR) Laboratory

Phyllodes tumors are rare breast tumors and represent fewer than 1.0% of all primary breast tumors. Most National Comprehensive Cancer Centers treat only about 5-10 phyllodes tumors annually, making collaborative research in this area vital. Dr. Rosenberger and her multi-disciplinary team treat approximately 20-30 women with phyllodes annually at Duke and focus on advancing our understanding of these tumors.