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Due to a system-wide technology update, we are experiencing extremely high call volume. We appreciate your patience with our operators during this time. Thank you for choosing Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Associate Director, Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program
Associate Chief Academic Officer
Urinary Diversions, Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques - Laparoscopic, Robotic Surgery, Robotic Surgery and Urologic cancer ablation therapy (cryosurgery or HIFU)
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Urology |
I am a urologic oncologist specializing in surgical treatment of cancers of the genitourinary tract. I have extensive experience with laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques and apply these approaches routinely to reduce the pain, recovery time, and complications associated with traditional open surgery.
I am skilled in nerve-sparing and organ-reconstructive surgery essential for preserving normal functions when treating prostate, testis, bladder and kidney cancer. I am sensitive to the particular issues regarding the diagnosis of genitourinary cancer and its subsequent treatment, including its physical and emotional effects on the patient and their family and support system.
I recognize each person is unique and requires a treatment individually tailored to them to achieve successful cancer treatment, limited treatment-related side effects and maintained quality of life.
It all started 10 years ago, when I was 66 years old. I went for my annual physical, and when my doctor got the test results back, she told me my urine had microscopic drops of blood in it. She wanted me to see a urologist, so she set me up with someone at my local hospital. It was just supposed to be a consult.
Unbeknownst to me, and without consulting my primary care physician, this urologist did a biopsy of my prostate when he examined me. I didn’t know what he was doing, I only knew it was very uncomfortable.
The fact that we caught my kidney cancer so early is amazing. It was the day before my regular medical exam in 2021, and I was going through some old medical records. I just happened to have them with me because I had changed doctors.
I found a chest X-ray from 2014, and at the bottom of the page, it said that I had a growth on my spleen. That was the first I’d heard anything about that, because nobody ever said anything to me about it. So I took it to my medical exam the next day.
I’m 68 years old and a very active person. When I’m not busy working as a lawyer for a firm in Bucks County, which is just north of Philadelphia, you can find me riding my bike, playing and watching sports, or traveling with my wife, Caroline. I’ve never been the wait-and-see type.
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer did not come as a complete shock. Cancer in various forms has been one of the generational realities on my mother’s side of the family, and my own history going back decades has included treatment of a series of skin malignancies, most notably, a stage 2 melanoma. So with an uncle who had also been diagnosed with prostate cancer in his early seventies, I figured it was just a matter of time before I would be dealing with the same issue.
Correa AF, Handorf E, Joshi SS, Geynisman DM, Kutikov A, Chen DY, Uzzo RG, Viterbo R, Greenberg RE, Smaldone MC. Differences in Survival Associated with Performance of Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Invasive Penile Cancer: Results from the National Cancer Database. J Urol, 199(5):1238-44, 2018. PubMed
Martin JM, Handorf EA, Price RA, Cherian G, Buyyounouski MK, et al. Medical dosimetry : official journal of the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. 2015; 40(3):186-9. NIHMSID: NIHMS656177 PubMed
Hypoalbuminaemia is associated with mortality in patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy. Corcoran AT, Kaffenberger SD, Clark PE, Walton J, Handorf E, et al. BJU international. 2015; 116(3):351-7. PubMed
Our Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to care provider related questions from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more.
I have confidence in Dr. Chen's plan of treatment.
Dr. Chen is excellent!
Everything and every one we're great
This was my initial meeting with Dr Chen and he lived up to my expectations of being knowledgeable and a good communicator regarding my circumstances. My phone contact case nurse [...] was great, very calm patient and helpful
Always treat me with respect and professionalism.
Dr. David Chen is in my opinion one of the best doctors I've ever had! A wonderful human being and a fantastic surgeon!
I have great faith in the provider. I expect to continue my care with Dr. Chen.
Dr Chen is awesome
You Guys are the Best . 5 start service thru out my whole experience !
Dr. Chen and staff are the best, I'm happy he's my [...] doctor, wouldn't want to see anyone else!!
Very satisfied with the whole experience...would recommend Fox Chase...Love my Dr.Chen...
Dr Chen was great and explained as well as listened.
High level of care
Dr Chen and his staff at fox chase are second to none
Easy access, good competence, genuine concern and clear instructions.
Dr. David Chen has been excellent with me he puts my mind at ease with my cancer and gives me hope I have been undetectable for the past 2.5 years
Great experience
Dr. Chen is phenomenal in his approach and thoroughness in explaining everything in great detail. [...], his PA was also great with follow through, etc.
Dr. Chen has always been interested in his patient's (physical and mental) welfare. He does the normal stuff and also looks at things to check for possible misunderstandings to help assure a good outcome for his patient.
Dr. Chen is a wonderful physician.
Dr Chen is a top shelf physician both for knowledge, bedside manner, and expertise. He is the best doctor I've ever had and would highly recommend him.
Dr Chen and staff saved my life.
Would absolutely recommend Dr. Chen to others. I greatly value his expertise, beyond anything I had known in prior years with other doctors. And my wife, who was also listening in and participating, were much impressed with his respectable, gentlemanly demeanor. He comes across as a wonderful human being.
First doctor to actually show us the issue on a screen.
Things went well
Good experience
Doctor Chen & company always listens to me!
Dr. David Chen was excellent!
Great experience. Second opinion.
Dr. David Chen is an outstanding physician. He has great expertise and he is empathic and communicates the nuances of my care very well. The nurse or assistant is also wonderful in every way. The lady at the in and out registration area is terrific as well. I'm so pleased, even though I reside in [...], that I selected Fox Chase & Dr. Chen. Additionally, the quality Fox Chase support staff also make each and every visit a valued and positive experience.
Dr. Chen, his stuff, and Fox Chase are second to none. Thank you. God bless.
Dr Chen is great!
Dr Chen and staff are awesome. Dr Chen is very calm and patient.
I have in other venues offered a detailed description of how much I esteem David Chen, both as a physician and a fellow believer. I just completed a written testimony to that effect which will be appearing on the FC website.
Dr Chen considered me and understood I needed to understand what was going on at a more granular level and took my research and questions as valid and worth his time to discuss
Dr. Chen was very good
Dr. David Chen is the best he gives me hope every time we talk
Dr. Chen was very thorough in his explanations and clear in having me decide the next course of action.
Great experience.
Dr. Chen and his entire team are awesome!
Upon recurrence of my cancer, I visited several local surgeons before choosing to return to fix chase. One treatment plan was careless even to a layman. Another plan came with little care for my life style.Once again fox chase and doctor Chen listened to me and formulated a plan that others could not duplicate .I am completely satisfied no matter the long term outcome.
Dr. Chen is EXCELLENT! He is extremely knowledgeable about cutting edge technologies & procedures, professional, empathetic and takes all the time necessary to fully answer all of my questions. I feel that I could not find a better doctor to manage my prostate healthcare!This visit was my regular six month check-up during which we reviewed my latest PSA test results and charted the path forward.
Dr. Chen, as well as everyone at Fox Chase, have unfailingly provided me with superior skill and care. They are also very considerate of my family members.
Excellent Doctor
I always feel as if I was Dr D Chen's only patient. His concern and answering g of my questions is detailed and never rushed.
Dr. Chen is an excellent doctor.
Dr. Chen is wonderful!!
Dr. & nurses were exceptional in every way concerning my care!
Dr. Chen is awesome!!
Dr. Chen saved my life style.
My experience was very good. I can't say enough about the entire staff - nurses, etc.
Excellent experience with every aspect of this procedure. Thank you all!
Doctor Chen was awesome!!
5 star!!
My Fox Chase team, from the receptionist to the nurses & Dr. Chen, are as good as it gets, don't change anything!
This is the reason I chose Dr. Chen because of his professional experience and excellent review online
Dr. Chen was excellent in explaining proceedure along with risks, benefits and alternatives. I asked him many questions yet I never felt rushed. He addressed my concerns thoroughly and professionally. His advice was fact based and I never felt pressured to go with one therapy versus another. he spoke openly about his experience, approach and outcomes. while I am still researching surgical options versus radiology, I feel confident in choosing him should I elect surgery.
Dr. Chen is very thorough in his explanations. He has a great bedside manner.
Excellent Service & Care as always. Very satisfied
Dr. Chen is one of the best physicians I have ever worked with. He is one of the best communicators, a good listener and thoughtful in his response.
excellent discussion with Dr Chen
Dr. Chen is A+
felt so much better after speaking to Dr. Chen
dr chen's patience and simple speak was much appreciated
I had scheduled a surgery appt. at [...]. I liked Dr. Chen so much, I cancelled and scheduled surgery with him.
Dr Chen preformed a surgical procedure on my prostate on [...]. A result of the procedure required me to have a catheter installed. I received very little information on what to expect with the catheter and my experience was not good. The only info I received was from the nurse who spoke with me during my preoperation visit. I just wish that I had received more information or been pointed toward a website that I could help set my expectations. I was "clueless" about that whole process. Other than that, my experience with Dr. Chen was excellent and I would recommend him to others. [...]
Provided competent & timely care, and treated me with concern & empathy.
Excellent care and highly recommend.
Dr Chen and staff are awesome
All my questions were answered very completely.
First time with fox chase and dr Chen. Very pleased
David Chen is a superior physician with excellent communication skills. He listens carefully and gives clear, direct answers to any questions posed. He shows every evidence of having a solid character and strong spiritual core.
i am confident that Dr. Chen is managing my cancer care closely.
Dr. Chen was wonderful, considerate and caring. He was clear and concise offering additional information on my options and explained everything fully.
The doctor & nurses are the best.
I rate dr Chen the highest possible
Since my first appointment last [...], I feel very confident that I am in great hands with Dr. Chen and his staff and the Fox Chase organization.
went to 3 local surgeons prior to fox chase. 2 of them horrified me with their choices of treatment.dr.chen asked what I wanted out of my surgery. gave me EXACTLY what he promised.3 mo ths afterburner my psa is down to 0.3.I have no side effects.
Best experience
good
Good
Dr. Chen took time to explain everything clearly and my options.
I am very happy to talk to Dr. Chen. He is very compassionate and knowledgeable about my situation. I am very bless to have him working with me. He came up with a treatment plan to help me. I am so comfortable in talking to him. This is how a doctor should show that he or she really care about the health of the patient.
Dr. Chen spent his valuable time answering my questions thoughtfully.
in my opinion Dr David Chen is a GOD sent. Unfortunately, over the years I have been attended by a number of physicians for various medical issues and I can honestly say that Dr. Chen is truely one of the best. He unlike so many others clearly displays a true calling to This noble profession. This seems obvious in his sphere of knowledge and bedside manner. He is also held in high regard by fellow colleagues as I have learned. Without hesitation i would recommend Dr. Chen to others including my family. Cudos to you Dr.
I have already recommended Dr. Chen and Fox Chase CC to someone.