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Dr. Charles R. Mulligan, Jr.

Dr. Charles R. Mulligan, Jr. is a doctor in Newark, Delaware. Dr. Mulligan specializes in thoracic surgery. He has experience treating conditions affecting the lungs, chest, diaphragm and esophagus.

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Dr. Charles R. Mulligan, Jr. specializes in thoracic oncology. He has treated diseases of the lungs, esophagus, chest, diaphragm and more.

Dr. Mulligan’s skillset can offer help to pleural mesothelioma patients. Pleural mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma cancer that affects the linings of the lungs. These patients often undergo lung surgeries performed by a thoracic surgeon, such as Dr. Mulligan.

Dr. Mulligan’s Professional History

Dr. Charles R. Mulligan, Jr. served in the United States military for 21 years. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1983. He then completed training to serve as a combat engineer officer with the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The Army selected Dr. Mulligan for medical school, and a subsequent residency and training. He completed an internship and residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. He then went on to complete a fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.

After completing his education, Dr. Mulligan held positions as:

  • Staff cardiothoracic surgeon at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center
  • Chief of thoracic surgery with the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq
  • Chief of general and thoracic surgery in Iraq with the 28th Combat Support Hospital
  • Member of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center Division of Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Mulligan was recruited to build the Thoracic Surgical Oncology Service at Centra Health and Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. He completed this in 2014 before returning to his current position in Delaware.

Dr. Mulligan continues to exercise his expertise in thoracic surgery with Christiana Care. Under the Christiana Care health system is the esteemed Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Clinical Interests and Research

Dr. Mulligan specializes in conditions of the lungs and chest. He has also treated illnesses impacting the esophagus, diaphragm and heart.

Dr. Mulligan‘s Medical Areas of Interest
  • Malignant and non-malignant lung conditions
  • Mediastinal tumors
  • Conditions impacting the esophagus and diaphragm
  • Surgical treatment for the chest, chest wall, heart and lungs
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

Dr. Mulligan’s expertise can help treat patients with pleural mesothelioma. As a thoracic surgeon, he can perform lung surgery, VATS and pleurectomy/decortication.

A pleurectomy/decortication is a common surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma. It removes the pleural lining and other diseased tissue. This includes tumors on the surface of the lungs and other areas of the chest.

A pleurectomy/decortication is considered an aggressive treatment for pleural mesothelioma. However, it is a lung-sparing surgery, allowing patients to keep both of their lungs. Thoracic surgeons such as Dr. Mulligan can help patients navigate which options are best for them.

Selected Publications

Chondrosarcoma masquerading as cardiomyopathy. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. July 2008;86(1):297-299. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.01.068

Identification of monocyte-like precursors of granulocytes in cancer as a mechanism for accumulation of PMN-MDSCs. The Journal of Experimental Medicine. September 2019;216(9):2150-2169. doi: 10.1084/jem.20181952

Multidisciplinary management of esophageal cancer. Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America. April 2013;22(2):217-246. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2012.12.006

Dr. Mulligan’s Accolades

Dr. Mulligan quickly stood out for his excellence in the medical field when serving in the military. This was demonstrated by his selection from the Army to pursue his medical degree. Dr. Mulligan has held many esteemed positions, with more than 31 years of experience.

  • FACS (Fellow) – American College of Surgeons
  • Chief of Thoracic Surgery With the 28th Combat Support Hospital – Service in Iraq, 2003 – 2004
  • Chief of General and Thoracic Surgery – Service in Iraq, 2006 – 2007