Bio
Dr. Wapnir?s work in the field of breast oncology spans clinical and translational research. Her past bench research centered on elucidating the activity of the sodium iodide symporter in lactation and breast cancer. She conducted studies on the impact of breast cancer locoregional recurrences with colleagues from the NSABP (NRG Oncology) Cooperative Oncology Group. Based on these, she co-chaired the CALOR (Chemotherapy for isolated locoregional recurrence of breast cancer) trial, that has since defined the use of systemic therapies for this patient population. Nationally, she has been continuously engaged in clinical trials as a member of the NRG Breast Locoregional Subcommittee and NCI-BOLD Task Force.
Dr Wapnir?s efforts focus on extending therapeutic options and advancing the treatment of breast cancer. As such, she designed a novel randomized clinical trial at Stanford, to test the effectiveness of neoadjuvant partial breast irradiation followed by delayed lumpectomy surgery for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (NORDIS: NeOadjuvant Radiation of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) [https://med.stanford.edu/cancer/trials/results.html?ctid=NCT03909282&conditionId=&serviceLineId=Cancer&condition=]. Other institutional investigator-initiated studies she has pioneered range from understanding skin perfusion patterns in mastectomy flaps to improve outcomes in nipple sparing mastectomies and safeguard against ischemic complications to the efficacy of black ink tattooing as a technique for marking of biopsied axillary lymph nodes. Together with Dr. Dung Nguyen, she has devised an innovative approach for breast reconstruction, creating a biological implant based on omental free flaps and fat-grafting [https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2019/12/02/stanford-surgeons-innovate-new-biological-breast-implants/], providing patients with a unique alternative for mastectomy reconstruction.
Additional unique clinical studies and services she is leading institutionally include:
(1) Pivotal trial, using fluorescent based technology to detect residual breast cancer in the lumpectomy cavity [https://med.stanford.edu/cancer/trials/results.html?ctid=NCT03686215&conditionId=&serviceLineId=Cancer&condition=].
(2) Immune-stimulating local treatments for inoperable, metastatic breast cancer (Melinda Telli, MD, PI) to activate a systemic immune response.
Clinical Focus
- Cancer > Breast Cancer
- Cancer > Breast Cancer > Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer - Surgery
- Breast Surgery
- General Surgery
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast conserving surgery, sentinel node biopsy
Academic Appointments
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Professor - Med Center Line, Surgery - General Surgery
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Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Chief of Breast Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology (2005 - 2019)
Honors & Awards
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Awards Committee, Assoc Women Surgeons (2004)
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Working Group Breast Committee, NSABP (2000)
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Protocol Chair Breast Cancer Local Recurrence Trial, NSABP (2006)
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Publications Committee, American Society of Breast Surgeons (2010-present)
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Visiting Scholar, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel (2012)
Professional Education
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Fellowship: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Breast Surgery Fellowship (1988) NJ
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Residency: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center General Surgery Residency (1985) NY
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Internship: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center General Surgery Residency (1981) NY
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Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery (1986)
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Medical Education: Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (1980) Mexico
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MD, Universidad A. Metropolitana, Medicine (1980)
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BA, Goucher College, Biological Sciences (1975)