Christopher LaFargue, M.D., M.S., gynecologic oncologist, has joined Texas Oncology–Fort Worth Cancer Center. Dr. LaFargue tells us about his passion for treating women’s cancers and his vision for the future of gynecologic cancer care.
Did you always know you wanted to be a doctor, specifically studying gynecologic oncology?
From an early age, I knew I wanted to become a physician and surgeon. When I was 8 years old, my mother was hospitalized for a severe gallbladder disease. It was a very difficult and scary time, but it introduced me to the field of medicine, and for that I am forever grateful. Long after she made a full recovery, I had the opportunity to work in a cancer research laboratory and became very interested in the field of oncology. Afterwards, I entered medical school in search of a specialty that combined both surgery and oncology. During my last clinical rotation in OB/GYN, I immediately knew that I had found my calling. I enjoyed caring for women, and I was drawn to the field of gynecologic oncology where physicians perform both the cancer surgery itself and prescribe chemotherapy, if necessary, to treat women’s cancers. Most importantly, caring for such wonderful women and helping them and their families through the entire process of cancer treatment is a privilege I am extremely lucky to have been given.
What do you think the future of gynecologic oncology treatment will look like?
Within the last two decades, the gynecologic oncology field has seen more advances in treating women’s cancers than ever before. As research in cancer genetics and clinical trials continue, I believe patients will ultimately have a “blueprint readout” of how best to treat their cancer based on genetic aspects of the tumor itself. For example, although two women may have the same type of ovarian cancer, their individual tumors may have vast differences at the molecular level and in their response to various drugs. My hope is that we will be able to use the DNA sequence of women’s tumors to learn exactly which drugs will work best for each patient. Success in this area will likely lead to increased effectiveness of drugs and decreased side-effects. In short, I believe that the field of gynecologic oncology is heading towards a more personalized approach to the treatment of gynecologic cancers.
I promise to always help you thoroughly understand your diagnosis and to guide you through every step of the treatment process. We will get through this together."
If you could tell prospective patients one thing, what would it be?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest experiences a person can go through in life. I promise to always help you thoroughly understand your diagnosis and to guide you through every step of the treatment process. We will get through this together.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Outside of the clinic or hospital, I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, golfing, playing guitar and piano, and attending live music shows.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
As a huge music lover, this is a very difficult question. Jazz is one of my favorite genres, so if I had to choose one song, it would be Louis Armstrong’s version of “La Vie En Rose.” Every time I hear it, I always seem to find something extraordinary in his voice or trumpet that I never noticed before.