The Commission on Cancer (CoC) hosts an annual paper competition for physicians-in-training to foster the importance of oncologic research in support of its mission. Judging is based on originality, scientific merit, and clinical relevance to oncology and the mission of the CoC.
2021 Cancer Research Paper Competition
Details about the 2021 Cancer Research Paper Competition are now available.
2020 Cancer Research Paper Competition Winners
First Place Winners
Eugene Cone, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital
Paper title: Effects of delays in cancer treatment on survival outcomes
Awarded $1,000 honorarium. Eligible for publication in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Presentation | Abstract
Xiang Gao, MD, MPH
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Paper title: Cancer treatments in hospitals by Commission on Cancer accreditation and rurality
Awarded $1,000 honorarium. Eligible for publication in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Presentation | Abstract
Runner Up
Susanna de Geus, MD, PhD
Boston Medical Center
Paper title: Volume of complex cancer operations near the pancreas favorably influences pancreaticoduodenectomy outcomes at low-volume pancreas surgery centers
Awarded $500 honorarium.
Honorable Mentions
Brian C. Brajcich, MD
Paper title: Association Between Surgical Technical Skill and Long-Term Survival for Colon Cancer
View press release | Presentation | Abstract
Rebecca Carr, MD
Paper title: Anastomotic recurrence after esophagectomy: is the game over?
Presentation | Abstract
J. Bryan Iorgulescu, MD
Paper title: Effectiveness of HER2-Targeted Antibody Therapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases: A National Analysis
Presentation | Abstract
David A. Mahvi, MD
Paper title: Decreased Recurrence in Sarcoma Patient-Derived Xenografts Using Paclitaxel-Eluting Polymer Films
Presentation | Abstract
Anthony J. Scholer, MD
Paper title: Exploring the Genomic Landscape of Hepatobiliary Cancers to Establish a Novel Molecular Classification
Presentation | Abstract
Paper title: Logistic Regression Modeling as a First Step for Machine Learning to Guide the Surgical Care of Early-Stage Melanoma
Presentation | Abstract
Paper title: Assessing Personalized Melanoma Risk by Using Machine Learning to Predict Recurrence
Presentation | Abstract