Dr. Deepa Magge
Surgical Oncologist and HIPEC Specialist at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Dr. Deepa Magge is one of the highest-regarded mesothelioma doctors in the world, with clinical expertise in treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma. Dr. Magge is the head of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center peritoneal malignancies program.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
1301 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232
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More About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Deepa Magge
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that usually begins in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. The type forming in the abdominal cavity lining is called peritoneal mesothelioma, which is Dr. Magge’s specialty.
Dr. Magge joined the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center staff in September 2020. The cancer hospital is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It’s one of many top-ranked cancer centers affiliated with a college.
She is another specialist to learn about peritoneal mesothelioma at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). This cancer center is well-known for its transformative cytoreduction surgery with HIPEC program and graduated many fellows to become peritoneal mesothelioma surgeons.
Dr. Magge works closely with Dr. Kamran Idrees, another peritoneal mesothelioma specialist at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She is also an assistant professor of surgery in the Vanderbilt University Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery.
Cytoreduction/HIPEC Surgery Expertise
Cytoreduction with HIPEC surgery is a combination of debulking surgery and chemotherapy. HIPEC stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It’s a cornerstone of peritoneal mesothelioma treatment.
“A lot of patients don’t have other options and there is only so much chemotherapy these patients can endure,” she said. “I found interest because it could help patients have a longer overall survival and progression-free survival. I feel it’s my duty to help these patients as best I can especially because of my training.”
During surgery, she strips out the omentum and part of the peritoneum. She also may remove the spleen, gallbladder, liver capsule and part of the small intestine.
The goal is to leave tumors with a radius of 2.5 millimeters or less for HIPEC. This provides the best chance for heated chemotherapy to work.
Medical Degrees and Residencies
- Medical Degree from Boston University, 2008
- Internship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2008-2009
- Residency in general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2009-2015
- Fellowship in complex surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2015-2017
Certifications and Memberships
- Board-certified in general surgery and complex general surgical oncology
- Committee member for the Advanced Cancer Therapies Conference offered by the Society of Surgical Oncology
- Received the Resident Research Award from UPMC
- Received the Anne and David Mishel Cancer Research Award from Boston University for her early interests in oncologic care
Get Connected to Dr. Deepa Magge
Dr. Magge is an experienced peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon. She leads the peritoneal malignancies and HIPEC program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where she sees a handful of regional cases each year. She’s an asset for anyone living in Tennessee or surrounding states, such as Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and Kentucky.
Why Choose Dr. Magge?
- Experienced in cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC
- Interest in minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis
- Use of palliative therapies in conjunction with surgery
Leading a High-Volume Center for Regional Cases
Dr. Magge noted Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center sees patients from a regional perspective, although it’s still an impressive volume. She sees a handful of patients and has formulated a general protocol to use.
“It’s such a rare malignancy,” she said. “There are only 200-250 cases nationally each year. There’s not a significant number of patients going to any institution. That’s why there isn’t much data about it.”
Patients undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy and then get an assessment of the tumor burden in the abdomen. This dictates surgical candidacy.
She said age “is just a number in a sense” and she relies on PCI score as a technique to calculate how much tumor burden there is in the cavity.
“I think the biggest thing is involvement of the small intestine,” she said.
History of Teaching Future Doctors
She is formerly an assistant professor of surgical oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Mount Sinai Medical Center is one of the top mesothelioma cancer centers in the United States. It has specialists in both peritoneal mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma.
Dr. Magge served as the associate program director for the school’s complex general surgical oncology fellowship. She focused her time on teaching residents and fellows, leading to her receiving the Resident Teaching Award.
How to Meet With Dr. Magge
If you would like to schedule a meeting with Dr. Magge at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, we can help. Please send us your contact and diagnosis information through our free Doctor Match form. This will help us find a doctor to treat your disease. Another option is to contact a patient advocate directly.
Sources & Author
- Deepa Magge, MD. Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Retrieved from: https://www.vumc.org/surgical-sciences/person/deepa-magge-md. Accessed: 09/09/2021.
- Deepa Magge, MD. Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Retrieved from: https://www.vumc.org/surgical-oncology/deepa-magge-md. Accessed: 09/09/2021.
AI Summary of Dr. Deepa Magge
Dr. Deepa Magge is a highly respected surgical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that begins in the lining of the abdomen. She is currently a leading member of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where she heads the peritoneal malignancies program. Her extensive experience and dedication make her one of the top specialists in this field, providing hope and advanced treatment options for patients facing this challenging diagnosis.
Dr. Magge's expertise centers around a procedure called cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC. This surgery involves carefully removing tumors and then administering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity to target remaining cancer cells. Her goal is to leave no more than a small residue of tumor tissue, which improves the chances of the chemotherapy being effective. This approach combines surgical skill with innovative chemotherapy techniques to give patients the best possible outcomes.
Her background includes medical training at Boston University, followed by extensive surgical residencies and fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She holds board certifications in general surgery and complex surgical oncology and has received awards recognizing her research and dedication to her field. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Magge has a strong teaching background, having trained future doctors at notable institutions such as Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Her combination of skill, knowledge, and compassionate care helps guide patients through a difficult journey with clarity and reassurance.
Dr. Magge is committed to providing personalized treatment plans for her patients, many of whom come from regions across Tennessee and neighboring states. She considers each case carefully, often working with a team of specialists to develop the most effective strategy. For those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, her experience and advanced techniques offer valuable options for extending survival and improving quality of life. Patients seeking her care can expect a thoughtful, patient-first approach that emphasizes understanding, support, and expert medical care.