Michael P. La Quaglia, MD, FACS, FRCS

Michael P. La Quaglia, MD, FACS, FRCS

Pediatric Surgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Pediatric Surgical Oncology
  • Wilms' Tumor
  • Neuroblastoma

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Joseph H. Burchenal Chair in Pediatrics
Get To Know Me

I am a pediatric surgeon who is committed to the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer, and I am rewarded every day by my experiences with my patients and their families. I take care of children with Wilms’ tumors, neuroblastoma, liver tumors, desmoplastic small round cell tumors, sarcomas, melanomas and thyroid tumors.

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I am proud to be part of a team that performs more pediatric cancer surgeries than any other institution in the world; more than 500 procedures each year, in patients as young as newborn to young adults. We have special expertise in performing large, complicated surgeries, with exceptional experience in surgery for neuroblastoma and desmoplastic small round cell tumors as well as complex liver surgery and thyroid surgery.

Whenever possible, my colleagues and I apply minimally invasive surgical approaches, such as thoracoscopy and laparoscopy, to the treatment of childhood cancers. These approaches help speed the recovery of our patients and their return to their normal activities.

In my research, I am collaborating with my colleagues to assess a class of drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors as anticancer agents. These novel drugs work against cancer by turning off an enzyme the cancers need to grow. I have studied the mechanisms by which cancers metastasize (spread), and I am working with other investigators to study the role of angiogenesis — the development of blood vessels tumors need — in this process. Since metastasis is what ultimately causes patients to succumb to cancer, learning how to halt this process will be enormously beneficial.

I also lead clinical trials, such as one assessing radioimmunotherapy for desmoplastic small round cell tumors. My work supports the banking of tumor tissue, particularly for neuroblastoma and sarcoma — the study of which can benefit future patients with cancer. I also teach and mentor surgical fellows and residents.

Nationally, I serve as Chairperson of the Surgical Committee of the Children’s Oncology Group. I am a member and past chairman of the Pediatric Surgical Association Cancer Committee. I have received the Willet F. Whitmore Award for Clinical Excellence from Memorial Sloan Kettering and am a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. I hold the Joseph H. Burchenal Chair in Pediatrics, which is named for an esteemed pioneer in the treatment of cancer in children. The National Cancer Institute also gave me an award for my work on the Pediatric Physician Data Query (PDQ) information summaries, which provide up-to-date cancer information for healthcare professionals and parents/patients.

My greatest satisfaction, however, comes from working with children. I enjoy my interactions with them tremendously and find them extremely rewarding. I feel immensely grateful to be able to help someone get better, especially when I can do something that others say they cannot. When your child is with me in the operating room, you can be assured that I will treat him or her as my own.

My Role at MSK

A pediatric surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Pediatric Surgical Oncology
  • Wilms' Tumor
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Sarcomas
  • Neuroectodermal Tumors
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Genitourinary Malignancies
  • Ovarian and Testicular Tumors
  • Kidney Cancers
  • Hepatic Tumors
  • Congenital Anomalies
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Residencies

  • General Surgery - Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Pediatric Surgery - Children's Hospital Medical Center

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2002-2020)

Fellowships

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery - Regional Thoracic Centre
  • Vascular Surgery - Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Surgery - Harvard Medical School

Board Certifications

  • Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. La Quaglia sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Pediatric Surgical Service doctors

See all Pediatric Surgical Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Selected Book Chapters
“Childhood tumors.” La Quaglia MP. In: Greenfield’s Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice. Mulholland MW, Lillemoe KD, Doherty GM, Maier RV, Upchurch GR Jr, eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006: 1956-1981.

“Neuroblastoma and other adrenal tumors.” La Quaglia MP, Rutigliano DN. Carachi R, Grosfeld JL, Azmy AF, eds. In: The Surgery of Childhood Tumors. 2nd ed. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag; 2008: 201-226.

“Peripheral neuroectodermal tumors.” La Quaglia MP. In: Reoperative Pediatric Surgery. Teich S, Caniano DA, eds. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2008:427-434.

“Surgical management of pediatric tumors.” La Quaglia MP. In: Cancer in Children and Adolescents. Carroll W, Finlay J, eds. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2009: 113-122.

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“Hepatic tumors in childhood.” Sri Paran T, La Quaglia MP. In: Pediatric Surgery: Diagnosis and Management. Puri P, Hollwarth M, eds. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 2009: 727-736.

“Wilms’ tumor.” Wolden SL, La Quaglia MP. In: Leibel and Phillips Textbook of Radiation Oncology. 3rd ed. Hoppe RT, Phillips TL, Roach M, eds. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2010: 1203-1214.

“Childhood tumors.” Rich BS, La Quaglia MP. In: Greenfield’s Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Mulholland MW, Lillemoe KD, Doherty GM, Maier RV, Simeone DM, Upchurch GR Jr, eds. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010: 1956-1982.

“Hepatic tumors.” Prasad J, La Quaglia MP. In: Newborn Surgery. 3rd ed. Prem Puri, ed. New York: Oxford UP; 2011: In press.

“Neuroblastoma.” Rich BS, La Quaglia MP. In: Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Coran AG, Adzick NS, Krummel TM, Laberge JM, Shamberger RC, Caldamone AA, eds. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2012: 441-458.

“Hepatic tumors in childhood.” Rich BS, La Quaglia MP. In: Blumgart’s Surgery of the Liver, Biliary Tract, and Pancreas. 5th ed. Blumgart LH, Jarnagin WR, Belghiti J, et al., eds. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2012: 1328-1343.

 

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. La Quaglia’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Michael P. La Quaglia discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

No disclosures meeting criteria for time period


If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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