Get to Know: Dr. John Lamond
Dr. John Lamond, associate medical director of Philadelphia CyberKnife, has more than 20 years of experience treating tumors throughout the body. As an active clinical researcher, Dr. Lamond has special interests in brain and lung cancers and has served as the principal investigator on several studies. Read about results from a recent study he co-authored here.
Learn more about his experiences at Philadelphia CyberKnife.
What first drew you to radiation oncology?
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during my first year of medical school. She chose breast-conserving treatment with lumpectomy and radiation, which was rather new at that time. This sparked my interest in oncology, especially newer treatment options, and it has lasted to this day.
What do you like best about your job?
I love taking on a challenging case. Having a tool like CyberKnife® allows us to help certain patients with tumors that were untreatable in the past. It is rewarding to know we have improved our ability toÊtreat certain patients, such as early-stage lung cancer patients who are unable to undergo surgery.
Describe one of your most memorable experiences since you began working at Philadelphia CyberKnife.
We treated a young man with a mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, an aggressive rare brain tumor. Using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, external radiation and CyberKnife treatment, he was cured six years ago.
What do you feel is the most important thing that Philadelphia CyberKnife offers?
I think the hope CyberKnife provides patients who would formerly be told their tumors are inoperable or untreatable is most important.
How do you stay abreast of the latest medical developments?
At Philadelphia CyberKnife, we are fortunate to be part of the latest radiosurgical developments and research. We have presented our data at international meetings and written papers and book chapters. My fellow doctors and I enjoy staying on the cutting edge of medical developments through our pursuit of clinical research.