Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Breast Cancer, Skin Cancer, Melanoma, Head & Neck Cancer
Between late 2022 and mid-2025, I underwent multiple surgeries, immunotherapies, radiation treatments, and ultimately tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)—a type of immune cell therapy. Bleeding from a tiny skin spot on my shoulder led me to Dr. Santoro, my dermatologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center. The team moved quickly after my 2022 diagnosis; the melanoma had spread to lymph nodes under my left arm.
In March 2022, my sister discovered a lump in her breast completely by accident. I consider myself pretty on top of these things, but I decided to do an impromptu self-exam and I also found a lump. From there, both of us went through mammograms, biopsies, and countless appointments before being diagnosed with breast cancer within a week of each other. It was surreal.
My cancer journey began in late 2021 when I began experiencing feelings of sickness, most often after eating. One night in February 2022, however, it became clear food was not the issue.
I’m the kind of guy who can sleep anytime, anywhere, so when the pain in my abdomen got so bad that I couldn’t sleep, I finally told my wife I needed to go to the ER. The doctors there did some testing and scans, but all they found was an infection, so they gave me an IV and antibiotics. After a few days, when I felt better, they sent me home.
A few years ago, when I was 46, something unusual showed up on my yearly mammogram. So they did an ultrasound and said I should come back every six months for monitoring for the next two years.
For 18 months, there was no change. Then, in April of 2023, I went for my last follow-up scan. When we finished, instead of sending me home, the radiologist came into the room to talk to me. I knew then that something wasn’t right.
Patient comments
Has a great interest in my care
Yes. Everything went well for the most part, but I wish the doctor reviewed my file before he came into the exam room. He didn't have much knowledge on my recent history, etc...and he was the surgeon who performed my procedure 3 months prior. [...] Note: The breast surgeon did an excellent job on my procedure though and I am happy with the results. [...]
I would highly recommend the doctor
I was amazed at the Physician Assistant as well as the Doctor. They were a great team. I was referred to the right team
My care provider was very patient and informative of my surgery. I couldnt decide for a couple if weeks and my care.provider did not rush me into making a decision when I wasnt ready. My doctor called me when I left a message to explain a questuon I had before my final decision was made. Very good .