Dr. Robert Shamberger was born in Columbia, Missouri. He received his BA degree in Zoology from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1971. He received his M.D. at Harvard Medical School, entered the Surgery Residency Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital and took two years off for a surgical oncology fellowship in the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute from 1978 to 1980. He was administrative Chief Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1982-1983 and then performed a pediatric surgical fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital.
Dr. Shamberger then joined the staff at Children's Hospital Boston with three areas of focus: inflammatory bowel disease, congenital chest wall deformities, and pediatric oncology including thyroid disease. The bulk of his academic efforts have been in the area of pediatric oncology. He has been actively involved in the cooperative group trials of the National Wilms’ Tumor Study Group, the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). He was the Chair of the Surgery Committee of POG for five years and then of COG for an additional five years. He remains active in the surgical agenda of the Group and was a principal investigator of several recently closed clinical trials.
Dr. Shamberger ran the Surgery Residency Program at Boston Children’s Hospital for 15 years. He rose through the academic ranks at Harvard Medical School from Assistant Professor in 1986 to full Professor in 2000. He became the Robert E. Gross Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School in 2004, when he also became the Chief of Surgery at Boston Children's Hospital.
In 2011–2012, Dr. Shamberger was President of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), and President of Boston Surgical Society. He is also Past-Chair of the Section on Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics for 2011-2012 and is President of the International Society of Pediatric Surgical Oncology.
Approach to Care
I believe that the best care for an infant or child with a complex problem is multidisciplinary. All of the specialists involved in treating a problem working closely together to cure the child provides the highest quality and most efficient care.
Publications
Associations of Patient Age, Tumor Nephrectomy Weight, and Tumor Diameter with Event-Free and Overall Survival in Stage I or II Favorable Histology Wilms Tumor: A Pooled Analysis of Children's Oncology Group Studies AREN0532 and AREN03B2. View Abstract
Long-term outcomes and patterns of relapse in patients with bilateral Wilms tumor or bilaterally predisposed unilateral Wilms tumor, a report from the COG AREN0534 study. View Abstract
Wilms tumor characteristics, surgical management, outcomes, and chronic kidney disease in children with WAGR syndrome: A report from the International WAGR Syndrome Association survey. View Abstract
Patterns of recurrence after radiotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma: Implications for radiation dose and field. View Abstract
Bilateral Wilms tumor with anaplasia: A report from the Children's Oncology Group Study AREN0534. View Abstract
Critical elements of pediatric neuroblastoma surgery. View Abstract
Critical elements of radical nephroureterectomy for pediatric unilateral renal tumor. View Abstract
The varied spectrum of nephroblastomatosis, nephrogenic rests, and Wilms tumors: Review of current definitions and challenges of the field. View Abstract
Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Risk of Malignancy in Children with Thyroid Nodules. View Abstract
ASO Video Abstract: Kidney Preservation and Wilms Tumor Development in Children with Diffuse Hyperplastic Perilobar Nephroblastomatosis-A Report from the Children's Oncology Group Study AREN0534. View Abstract
Outcomes based on histopathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy in children with bilateral Wilms tumor: A prospective study (COG AREN0534). View Abstract
Kidney Preservation and Wilms Tumor Development in Children with Diffuse Hyperplastic Perilobar Nephroblastomatosis: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group Study AREN0534. View Abstract
A Surgical View of Anatomy: Perspectives from Students and Instructors. View Abstract
Results of Treatment for Patients With Multicentric or Bilaterally Predisposed Unilateral Wilms Tumor (AREN0534): A report from the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
A Novel ALK Fusion in Pediatric Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. View Abstract
Augmentation of Therapy for Combined Loss of Heterozygosity 1p and 16q in Favorable Histology Wilms Tumor: A Children's Oncology Group AREN0532 and AREN0533 Study Report. View Abstract
Clinical and laboratory outcomes following total or partial splenectomy in patients with hereditary spherocytosis. View Abstract
Overlapping Surgery in Pediatric Surgical Care: Is It a Safe and Cost-effective Practice? View Abstract
Postoperative complications of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with vedolizumab. View Abstract
Outcome and Prognostic Factors in Stage III Favorable-Histology Wilms Tumor: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Study AREN0532. View Abstract
Results of the First Prospective Multi-institutional Treatment Study in Children With Bilateral Wilms Tumor (AREN0534): A Report From the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Fanconi-Bickel Syndrome. View Abstract
Clinical Outcome and Biological Predictors of Relapse After Nephrectomy Only for Very Low-risk Wilms Tumor: A Report From Children's Oncology Group AREN0532. View Abstract
Postoperative Complications in Children With Crohn Disease Treated With Infliximab. View Abstract
Features and Outcome of Autonomous Thyroid Nodules in Children: 31 Consecutive Patients Seen at a Single Center. View Abstract
Can 360-Degree Reviews Help Surgeons? Evaluation of Multisource Feedback for Surgeons in a Multi-Institutional Quality Improvement Project. View Abstract
Commentary on "Simultaneous Resection of High-risk Liver Tumors and Pulmonary Metastases in Children". View Abstract
Comparative evaluation of local control strategies in localized Ewing sarcoma of bone: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
The effect of immunomodulators and biologics on indication for surgical bowel resection in children with Crohn's disease. View Abstract
Comparison of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin as maintenance therapies for juvenile myasthenia gravis. View Abstract
Feasibility of using CT volume as a predictor of specimen weight in a subgroup of patients with low risk Wilms tumors registered on COG Study AREN03B2: implications for central venous catheter placement. View Abstract
How are childhood thyroid nodules discovered: opportunities for improving early detection. View Abstract
Multicenter study of pectus excavatum, final report: complications, static/exercise pulmonary function, and anatomic outcomes. View Abstract
Outcome of patients with Stage II/favorable histology Wilms tumor with and without local tumor spill: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Predictive value of the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index in the surgical management of ulcerative colitis. View Abstract
Comparison of laparoscopic-assisted and open total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis in children and adolescents. View Abstract
Is adrenalectomy necessary during unilateral nephrectomy for Wilms Tumor? A report from the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
A standardized assessment of thyroid nodules in children confirms higher cancer prevalence than in adults. View Abstract
Image based feasibility of renal sparing surgery for very low risk unilateral Wilms tumors: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
Clinicopathologic findings predictive of relapse in children with stage III favorable-histology Wilms tumor. View Abstract
Cooperative group trials in pediatric oncology: the surgeon's role. View Abstract
Technique of laparoscopic-assisted total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis in children and adolescents: a single center's 8-year experience. View Abstract
A prospective study of expectant observation as primary therapy for neuroblastoma in young infants: a Children's Oncology Group study. View Abstract
Lymph node involvement in Wilms tumor: results from National Wilms Tumor Studies 4 and 5. View Abstract
Treatments and outcomes for end-stage renal disease following Wilms tumor. View Abstract
Wilms tumor: recent advances in clinical care and biology. View Abstract
Tumor histology during induction therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Barriers to the enrollment of children in the Children's Oncology Group study of very low risk Wilms tumor: a report from the Children's Oncology Group. View Abstract
Risk factors for end stage renal disease in non-WT1-syndromic Wilms tumor. View Abstract
Adrenal cortical tumors in children: factors associated with poor outcome. View Abstract
The management of synchronous bilateral Wilms tumor: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Increasing severity of pectus excavatum is associated with reduced pulmonary function. View Abstract
Thyroid surgery at Children's Hospital Boston: a 35-year single-institution experience. View Abstract
Consensus for managing acute severe ulcerative colitis in children: a systematic review and joint statement from ECCO, ESPGHAN, and the Porto IBD Working Group of ESPGHAN. View Abstract
Anesthesia for patients undergoing transsternal thymectomy for juvenile myasthenia gravis. View Abstract
WT1 mutation and 11P15 loss of heterozygosity predict relapse in very low-risk wilms tumors treated with surgery alone: a children's oncology group study. View Abstract
Thyroid nodules and cancer in children with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. View Abstract
Prospective study of health-related quality of life and restorative proctocolectomy in children. View Abstract
Outcome after reduced chemotherapy for intermediate-risk neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Decision analysis to compare treatment strategies for Stage I/favorable histology Wilms tumor. View Abstract
Primary lung tumors in children and adolescents: a 90-year experience. View Abstract
p53+/mdm2- atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma in young children: an early expression of Li-Fraumeni syndrome. View Abstract
Multidetector computed tomography and 3-dimensional imaging: preoperative evaluation of thoracic vascular and tracheobronchial anomalies and abnormalities in pediatric patients. View Abstract
Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on hepatoblastoma: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study. View Abstract
Long-term outcomes for infants with very low risk Wilms tumor treated with surgery alone in National Wilms Tumor Study-5. View Abstract
Giant, dopamine secreting thoracoabdominal neuroblastoma in a 2-year-old: rapid preoperative blockade with labetalol. View Abstract
Intraoperative spillage of favorable histology wilms tumor cells: influence of irradiation and chemotherapy regimens on abdominal recurrence. A report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Childhood pancreatic tumors: a single institution experience. View Abstract
Subsets of very low risk Wilms tumor show distinctive gene expression, histologic, and clinical features. View Abstract
Hepatic metastasis at diagnosis in patients with Wilms tumor is not an independent adverse prognostic factor for stage IV Wilms tumor: a report from the Children's Oncology Group/National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in children. View Abstract
Dose-intensified compared with standard chemotherapy for nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma family of tumors: a Children's Oncology Group Study. View Abstract
Catecholamine-secreting neuroblastoma in a 4-month-old infant: perioperative management. View Abstract
Hepatoblastoma presenting with focal nodular hyperplasia after treatment of neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Surgical repair of pectus excavatum markedly improves body image and perceived ability for physical activity: multicenter study. View Abstract
Synchronous bilateral Wilm's tumor with complete radiographic response managed without surgical resection: a report from the National Wilm's Tumor Study 4. View Abstract
Management of children and adolescents with a critical airway due to compression by an anterior mediastinal mass. View Abstract
Pediatric rib lesions: a 13-year experience. View Abstract
Ureteral extension in Wilms' tumor: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group (NWTSG). View Abstract
Pediatric pulmonary tumors: primary and metastatic. View Abstract
Treatment of Wilms tumor relapsing after initial treatment with vincristine, actinomycin D, and doxorubicin. A report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland in children. View Abstract
The perioperative management of a patient with Fontan physiology for pheochromocytoma resection. View Abstract
Prospective multicenter study of surgical correction of pectus excavatum: design, perioperative complications, pain, and baseline pulmonary function facilitated by internet-based data collection. View Abstract
Treatment of Wilms tumor relapsing after initial treatment with vincristine and actinomycin D: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Pancreatitis as the initial manifestation of stage IV neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Pouch outcomes among children with ulcerative colitis treated with calcineurin inhibitors before ileal pouch anal anastomosis surgery. View Abstract
Bilateral Wilms' tumor with anaplasia: lessons from the National Wilms' Tumor Study. View Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma treated with tandem autologous peripheral-blood stem cell-supported transplantation: long-term survival update. View Abstract
Treatment of anaplastic histology Wilms' tumor: results from the fifth National Wilms' Tumor Study. View Abstract
Bilateral Wilms' tumors with progressive or nonresponsive disease. View Abstract
Radiation therapy for favorable histology Wilms tumor: prevention of flank recurrence did not improve survival on National Wilms Tumor Studies 3 and 4. View Abstract
Hyperplastic perilobar nephroblastomatosis: long-term survival of 52 patients. View Abstract
The value of surgery in directing therapy for patients with Wilms' tumor with pulmonary disease. A report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group (National Wilms' Tumor Study 5). View Abstract
Fate of bilateral renal lesions missed on preoperative imaging: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Loss of heterozygosity for chromosomes 1p and 16q is an adverse prognostic factor in favorable-histology Wilms tumor: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Perioperative management of a child with severe hypertension from a catecholamine secreting neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Aggressive surgical therapy and radiotherapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with rapid sequence tandem transplant. View Abstract
The rationale for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors: a Children's Oncology Group study. View Abstract
CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of pediatric Wilms tumor in a solitary kidney. View Abstract
Treatment of anaplastic Wilms tumor: A report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
The perioperative management of a patient with complex single ventricle physiology and pheochromocytoma. View Abstract
Quality assessment for Wilms' tumor: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study-5. View Abstract
Doxorubicin for favorable histology, Stage II-III Wilms tumor: results from the National Wilms Tumor Studies. View Abstract
Outcome for children with group III rhabdomyosarcoma treated with or without radiotherapy. View Abstract
Abnormal distribution and hyperplasia of thyroid C-cells in PTEN-associated tumor syndromes. View Abstract
Primary tumor control in patients with stage 3/4 unfavorable neuroblastoma treated with tandem double autologous stem cell transplants. View Abstract
Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall: impact of initial versus delayed resection on tumor margins, survival, and use of radiation therapy. View Abstract
Outcome of children with cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma treated with or without chemotherapy. View Abstract
Awake caudal anesthesia for inguinal surgery in one conjoined twin. View Abstract
Treatment of infantile fibrosarcoma with chemotherapy and surgery: results from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital, Boston. View Abstract
The occurrence of Wilms tumor in horseshoe kidneys: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTSG). View Abstract
Cardiac relocation and chest wall reconstruction after separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins with a single heart. View Abstract
Treatment with nephrectomy only for small, stage I/favorable histology Wilms' tumor: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Aggressive multimodal treatment of pleuropulmonary blastoma. View Abstract
Staged reconstruction for middle aortic syndrome. View Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall. View Abstract
Intravascular extension of Wilms tumor. View Abstract
Surgical complications after primary nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor: report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Use of a gracilis muscle flap to facilitate delayed ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. View Abstract
Tandem high-dose therapy in rapid sequence for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Ewing sarcoma of the rib: results of an intergroup study with analysis of outcome by timing of resection. View Abstract
Surgery-related factors and local recurrence of Wilms tumor in National Wilms Tumor Study 4. View Abstract
Lung growth after reduced size transplantation in a sheep model. View Abstract
Quality-of-life assessment after ileoanal pull-through for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. View Abstract
Pleural effusions in lymphoblastic lymphoma: a diagnostic alternative. View Abstract
Enteric duplications of the pancreatic head: definitive management by local resection. View Abstract
Ossifying renal tumor of infancy presenting as a palpable abdominal mass. View Abstract
The risk of nephrectomy during local control in abdominal neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Cystic neuroblastoma: emphasis on gene expression, morphology, and pathogenesis. View Abstract
Splenosacral sinus after splenorrhaphy: case report. View Abstract
Event-free survival of children with biologically favourable neuroblastoma based on the degree of initial tumour resection: results from the Pediatric Oncology Group. View Abstract
Bronchogenic cysts and esophageal duplications: common origins and treatment. View Abstract
Childhood soft tissue sarcoma: a 20-year experience. View Abstract
Surgery for Crohn's disease in infants and children. View Abstract
NCCN pediatric neuroblastoma practice guidelines. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network. View Abstract
Renal salvage procedures in patients with synchronous bilateral Wilms' tumors: a report from the National Wilms' Tumor Study Group. View Abstract
Percutaneous biopsy for prognostic testing of neuroblastoma. View Abstract
Long-term hepatic regeneration and function in infants and children following liver resection. View Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis of a grade IV sacrococcygeal teratoma. View Abstract
Pediatric large volume peripheral blood progenitor cell collections from patients under 25 kg: a primer. View Abstract
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine primes for antibody responses to polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine after treatment of Hodgkin's disease. View Abstract
Antibody responses to polysaccharide and polysaccharide-conjugate vaccines after treatment of Hodgkin disease. View Abstract
Intraoperative enteroscopy in the diagnosis of partial intestinal obstruction in infancy. View Abstract
Splenic preservation in the management of splenic epidermoid cysts in children. View Abstract
Prospective evaluation by computed tomography and pulmonary function tests of children with mediastinal masses. View Abstract
Association of imperforate anus with occult spinal dysraphism. View Abstract
A 10-year experience of pediatric brachytherapy. View Abstract
An unusual outcome for fetus with gastroschisis. View Abstract
Interposed jejunal segment with nipple valve to prevent reflux in biliary reconstruction. View Abstract
Chest wall tumors in infants and children. View Abstract
The importance of staging laparotomy in pediatric Hodgkin's disease. View Abstract
Effect of Golytely on serum electrolytes and hydration status of infants. View Abstract
Size disparity in pediatric lung transplantation. View Abstract
Long-term nutritional and metabolic consequences of pancreaticoduodenectomy in children. View Abstract
Malignant small round cell tumor (Ewing's-PNET) of the chest wall in children. View Abstract
Anorectal function in children after ileoanal pull-through. View Abstract
Recent experience with Wilms' tumor: 1978-1991. View Abstract
Abdominal tumors in infancy and childhood. View Abstract
Prenatal detection of neuroblastoma: a ten-year experience from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital. View Abstract
Wilms tumor and nephroblastomatosis: imaging characteristics at gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging. View Abstract
Neuroectodermal differentiation of the gastrointestinal tumors in the Carney triad. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study. View Abstract
Stage III neuroblastoma over 1 year of age at diagnosis: improved survival with intensive multimodality therapy including multiple alkylating agents. View Abstract
Perioperative management for cholecystectomy in sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Pneumatocele complicating hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (Job's Syndrome). View Abstract
Experience with a nurse practitioner program in the surgical department of a children's hospital. View Abstract
Response to Haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate vaccine in children undergoing splenectomy. View Abstract
Reduced-size lung transplantation from adult to neonatal sheep. View Abstract
Multiple biliary papillomatosis in a child. View Abstract
The role of surgery in abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma. View Abstract
Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of an intraabdominal testis. View Abstract
Surgical management of stage III and IV neuroblastoma: resection before or after chemotherapy? View Abstract
Immune thrombocytopenia: surgical therapy and predictors of response. View Abstract
CT quantitation of tracheal cross-sectional area as a guide to the surgical and anesthetic management of children with anterior mediastinal masses. View Abstract
Consistent cytogenetic aberrations in hepatoblastoma: a common pathway of genetic alterations in embryonal liver and skeletal muscle malignancies? View Abstract
A proposed cause for the hepatic dysfunction associated with parenteral nutrition. View Abstract
Human polysaccharide-specific B cells are responsive to pokeweed mitogen and IL-6. View Abstract
Percutaneous biopsy of thoracic lesions in children. View Abstract
The therapy of biliary atresia combining the Kasai portoenterostomy with liver transplantation: a single center experience. View Abstract
Resection of a tumor of the psoas muscle. View Abstract
Scoliosis in children with pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. View Abstract
Surgical treatment of thoracic deformity in Poland's syndrome. View Abstract
Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma in children. View Abstract
Chest wall tumors in infancy and childhood. View Abstract
Surgical treatment of pancreas divisum causing pancreatitis in children. View Abstract
Fate of the distal esophageal remnant following esophageal replacement. View Abstract
Anterior chest wall deformities and congenital heart disease. View Abstract
Cardiopulmonary function in pectus excavatum. View Abstract
Surgical correction of chondromanubrial deformity (Currarino Silverman syndrome). View Abstract
Mitral valve prolapse associated with pectus excavatum. View Abstract
Surgical correction of pectus carinatum. View Abstract
Ilio-psoas abscess: diagnosis and management. View Abstract
The medical and surgical management of typhlitis in children with acute nonlymphocytic (myelogenous) leukemia. View Abstract
The surgical management of fungal pulmonary infections in children with acute myelogenous leukemia. View Abstract
Intraduodenal diverticula of the common bile duct. View Abstract
Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta. View Abstract
Effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on wound healing: experimental studies. View Abstract
A prospective, randomized study of adjuvant parenteral nutrition in the treatment of sarcomas: results of metabolic and survival studies. View Abstract
Arterial injuries during inguinal herniorrhaphy. View Abstract
Small bowel obstruction caused by the abdominal cocoon syndrome: possible association with the LeVeen shunt. View Abstract
Progressive systemic sclerosis resulting in megacolon. A case report. View Abstract
The effect of total parenteral nutrition on chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. A randomized study. View Abstract
The effect of testosterone propionate on wound healing in normal and castrate rats. View Abstract
Effects of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy on ovarian function in women undergoing treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. View Abstract
The effect of ultrasonics and thermal treatment on wounds. View Abstract
Effects of high-dose methotrexate and vincristine on ovarian and testicular functions in patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant treatment of osteosarcoma. View Abstract
The effects of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy on testicular function in men undergoing treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. View Abstract
The influence of tumor-bearing on protein metabolism in the rat. View Abstract
The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on wound healing. View Abstract
A lymphocyte-dependent antibody assay for detection of antibodies to human glioma cells. View Abstract
Tar and nicotine retrieval from fifty-six brands of cigarettes. View Abstract