Dr. David Harpole Jr.

About Dr. David Harpole Jr.

As one of the world’s top surgical oncologists, Dr. David H. Harpole Jr. is known throughout the medical community for the strong relationships he builds with his patients at Duke Cancer Center.

He has made significant contributions to lung cancer research, conducted more than 100 clinical studies to further the treatment options for various cancers, and has been published in numerous medical journals, book chapters, conferences, and academic publications.

“One of the things that attracted me to this is the long-term relationships. I tell all my patients that really, I’m their doctor for life, and I see patients for many, many years.”
—Dr. David Harpole Jr., mesothelioma specialist

Career Highlights

The career of Dr. Harpole Jr. spans multiple decades.

Some of the highlights of his medical experience include:

Completing mesothelioma research with mentor Dr. David Sugarbaker
Educating the next generation of surgical oncologists at Duke University School of Medicine
Furthering the world’s understanding and treatment of cancer through hundreds of clinical trials and extensive research
Serving as director of Duke Lung Cancer Research Laboratory for more than 20 years

Dr. Harpole Jr.’s Background

Dr. Harpole Jr. began his post-secondary education at Washington & Lee University, earning degrees in biology and chemistry. He started his medical training at the University of Virginia where he earned his medical degree, before completing an internship in general surgery at Duke University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident.

He continued his education with a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Duke University and was appointed as the school’s teaching scholar in thoracic surgery.

Dr. Harpole Jr. completed a fellowship in thoracic oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, a leading research hospital affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

For three years, he was mentored by the late Dr. David Sugarbaker, who, prior to his retirement, was one of the top mesothelioma doctors in the country.

Dr. Harpole Jr. and Dr. Sugarbaker co-authored five articles during this time and continued to work together on research that has resulted in another nine publications in the years since.

Upon completing his fellowship, Dr. Harpole Jr. was recruited by Harvard Medical School as an instructor of surgery. He complemented this work by serving as a thoracic surgery associate at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and as a thoracic surgeon at West Roxbury Veteran’s Medical Center.

Current Role at Duke University Cancer Center

In 1996, he joined the Duke University Cancer Center, quickly becoming an influential and integral leader of the institution’s research division. At Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Harpole Jr. served as Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, Vice Chief of the Division of Surgical Sciences, and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Harpole Jr. currently works in multiple capacities at Duke University Medical Center, where he has served as the Director of the Duke Lung Cancer Research Laboratory and Biorepository for more than 20 years. His research focuses on the genomics of mesothelioma and other chest-related cancers.

The Duke Lung Cancer Research Laboratory and Biorepository has developed several FDA-approved drugs and has made notable advancements in cancer detection, diagnostics, and treatment.

Medical Specializations

Dr. Harpole Jr. is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.

He is renowned for his research on lung cancer and other thoracic conditions, including mesothelioma. This research often focuses on developing more effective treatments and diagnostic systems.

Get connected with specialized mesothelioma doctors like Dr. Harpole Jr. with our Free Doctor Match service.

Career Accomplishments

Dr. Harpole Jr.’s accomplishments focus on the advancements of cancer research, expanding treatment options, and improving patient outcomes.

Awards & Honors

America’s Top Cancer Doctors
America’s Top Doctors
Cancer Doctors for Women
Director’s Distinguished Service Award
Finalist, Leibig Vascular Research Award
Finalist, Paul C. Sampson Resident Research Award
Guide to America’s Top Physicians
Guide to America’s Top Surgeons
International Health Professional of the Year
International Who’s Who
J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Paper
James P. Davidson Academic Scholarship
Maxwell’s Who’s Who of North America
National Science Foundation Research Scholar
Outstanding Young Men of America
Patient Choice Award
Raven Honorary Society
Raymond W. Postlethwait Fellow in Thoracic Surgical Research
Robert E. Lee Research Scholar
Who’s Who in Medical Sciences Education
Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare
Who’s Who in North America
Who’s Who in the World

Professional Affiliations

Co-chair – Thoracic Tumor Committee of the National Cancer Database
Co-chair – National Cancer Institute’s Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee
Director – Lung Cancer Prognostic Research Laboratory
Former Director – American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Member – American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Member – American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member – Duke Gastrointestinal Malignancy Research Committee
Vice Chair – American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
Vice Chair – Faculty & Education, Duke University

Notable Work

Dr. David Harpole Jr. co-published “Impact of Age on Long-Term Outcomes of Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma,” a seven-page academic paper that was published in the September 2016 edition of Clinical Lung Cancer.

In the study, Dr. Harpole Jr. and his team evaluated patients of various ages to determine how the outcomes varied for patients younger than 70 years old versus those over 70.

All the patients in their research had stage 1, 2, or 3 malignant pleural mesothelioma, and either had already undergone a related surgery or were prescribed a non-operative treatment plan.

The researchers noted that patients who underwent surgery had higher overall survival rates than those who did not, even in individuals over the age of 70.

However, most individuals over the age of 70 were treated with non-operative methods. The research ultimately concluded that surgical treatment is more likely to improve survival lengths for all patients, regardless of age.

The findings of Dr. Harpole Jr.’s research further prove the necessity of surgical treatments as part of mesothelioma treatment plans.

In November 2022, he also co-authored a study on why U.S. veterans are at a higher risk of pleural mesothelioma. Notably, this study revealed that veterans with mesothelioma may have a unique phenotype (set of genetic cancer characteristics) when compared to civilians.

Get Connected With Dr. David Harpole Jr.

Dr. Harpole Jr. believes the patient-doctor relationship is one that extends for decades. This continuity of care allows him to treat patients with a deeper understanding of their personal needs, which he uses to develop treatment plans that will improve both the length and quality of their lives.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to seek out treatment administered by top specialists like Dr. David Harpole Jr.

Contact our Patient Advocates today to learn how to set up an appointment with a mesothelioma specialist and pay for treatments that may improve your prognosis.