Foundation for
Applied
Research in
Gastrointestinal
Oncology



The Foundation for Applied Research in Gastrointestinal Oncology (FARGO) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that promotes research, education and patient care in gastrointestinal oncology. FARGO's primary objective is to facilitate the transfer of basic science research into innovations in patient care. The responsibilities of FARGO include financial support, administrative support, and space for continued progress in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.

Donations to FARGO are tax deductible and can be made to:

FARGO
c/o Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving St., NW
Suite 3900
Washington, D.C. 20010

 


FARGO was created in 1993 by Dr. Paul Sugarbaker and the FARGO Board of Directors. Current FARGO staff include:

Paul Sugarbaker, M.D.
Dal Yoo, M.D.
Neil Otchin, M.D.
Joy Midman
Laurie Todd

Renaldo Savady, M.D.
Peter Lipresti, Esq.
Donald Farren, CPA

President
Vice President
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Board of Directors

Secretary-Treasurer
Legal Counsel
Accountant


A major goal of FARGO is the transfer of basic science research into improvements in patient care. The primary means to accomplish this transfer of information is the publication and presentation of research. FARGO supported in-part 32 publications in 2006. There were 9 exhibits and poster presentations and 12 speaking engagements by persons sponsored by FARGO.



A Message From the President of FARGO

In 1962, Gilbertsen and Wangensteen published their experience with “second look surgery” for primary colon cancer.  Although the concept was well received it regular use was abandoned because risks were judged to outweigh benefits (Surg Gynecol Obstet, 1962).  Every several years the concepts in the management of gastrointestinal cancer are strategically revised.  Oftentimes, old treatment paradigms that disappeared because the management plan was in some way deficient are revived.  In 2009, we are initiating a new and proactive approach to the patients who need help in surviving their colon and rectal cancer.  These are the 20-25% of patients who are at high risk for local and regional recurrence; in the past the only treatment option was adjuvant systemic chemotherapy.  This treatment modality has shown itself to be woefully inadequate.

 

The new paradigm in management is a comprehensive treatment strategy that involves reoperative surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy.  The indications for “selective second-look surgery” have been greatly refined.  The new and more effective second-look surgery utilizes peritonectomy, visceral resections, and combinations of systemic and intraperitoneal chemotherapy to more adequately manage with curative intent local-regional colorectal cancer relapse.  The clinical schema for this management plan is shown in Figure 1.

 

The numbers of patients who may profit from this comprehensive approach are large.  We are moving from approximately 1,500 appendiceal malignancy patients in the United States to be treated each year to approximately 30,000 colorectal cancer patients to be treated on a yearly basis.  The educational and technical requirements for cancer surgeons in the United States are very demanding.  An expansion of FARGO’s outreach is a necessity. 

 

Our research efforts have resulted in a technological advance that allows for improved survival in the group of patients with colorectal cancer who needed it the most.  Moving the treatments up in the natural history of the disease process will salvage more patients and maximize the efficacy of our new approach.  The President of FARGO recommends that a “FARGO slogan” be adopted for the year 2009.  Our goal is “Comprehensive management of gastrointestinal cancer.”

 

Our Mission

The Foundation for Applied Research in Gastrointestinal Oncology (FARGO) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that is intended to promote research, education, and patient care in gastrointestinal cancer. FARGO’s outreach is world wide. The Foundation’s major goal is to implement the transfer of basic science research to innovations in patient care. The responsibilities of FARGO are to provide financial support, administrative support, and space for continued progress in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.