Position: Leading researcher at the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, oncologist

Degree: DSc

Education

In 1973, Dr. Gafton graduated with honors from the Kishinev State Medical Institute, Faculty of Medical Practice. In 1976 he enrolled in the PhD program at the N.N. Petrov Scientific Research Institute of Oncology. In 1978, he successfully defended his PhD thesis, in 2003 – his DSc dissertation.

Dr. Gafton holds certifications in oncology (valid through 11.04.2022) and pediatric surgery (valid through 06.12.2023).

Professional experience

Dr. Gafton has been working at the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology since 1973 working his way up from senior lab technician to the head of the Department of General Oncology (2004). For 25 years he has been the leading surgeon of the Department of Pediatric Oncology of the institute. He is the senior surgeon of the clinic of the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology. He consults patients of the inpatient facility of the institute and other clinics of the city.

Scientific interests

Under Dr. Gaftons’s supervision a new technique of puncture biopsy of tumors of varying location under ultrasound navigation was developed.

Dr. Gafton was the first in Russia to test and implement in clinical practice of federal facilities the technique of isolated regional limb chemoperfusion for treatment of locally disseminated sarcomas and skin melanomas. Due to his collaboration, this technique is widely used as a standard therapy for disseminated sarcomas.

Dr. Gafton supervises a program “Experimental and clinical development of new approaches to treatment of malignant neoplasms using perfusion and photochemical technologies.” Dr. Gafton develops and implements new methods of combination treatment of osteogenic bone sarcomas including polychemotherapy with endoprostheses and new methods of endoprosthesis in tumors of the pelvic bone.

Dr. Gafton heads a center conducting scientific research and about 8 international clinical trials. He regularly collaborates with his colleagues in other countries to share clinical and scientific experience. He spends a lot of time teaching clinical residents, PhD students, doctors from other medical facilities.

Publications

Dr. Gafton has authored more than 170 scientific publications. In the last 5 years, he has published 25 scientific articles in Russian and international medical journals. He has supervised two PhD dissertations.

Memberships in professional medical organizations

Dr. Gafton is a member of the European Society of Surgical Oncology, Scientific Society of Oncologists of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Region, Pirogov’s Surgical Society.