Deputy Director, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology
Director, Genitourinary Clinical Research
NCCN, Bladder/Penile Cancers Panel Member
NCCN, Kidney Cancer Panel Member
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| Medical Oncology |
With a diagnosis of cancer comes uncertainty and fear for many patients. As a medical oncologist, my first job is to help each patient understand his or her diagnosis. With that understanding, together we can design the best plan of action. At Fox Chase, each patient has the benefit of an interdisciplinary team working together to ensure the highest quality care. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial in determining and implementing the best treatment plan.
I specialize in the treatment of kidney, bladder, prostate and testicular cancer, and my clinical practice is focused on these diseases. By concentrating exclusively on genitourinary malignancies I am able to offer expert knowledge as well as access to both standard treatments and emerging therapies in the form of clinical trials. The pace of scientific discovery has accelerated in recent decades, and fortunately we have seen these discoveries translate into meaningful improvements in cancer treatments.
As part of the genitourinary group here at Fox Chase, I am proud to be a part of a team of distinguished researchers who have pioneered many of these new treatments. My particular research efforts focus on the development of new therapies for bladder and kidney cancer.
Living with cancer wasn't new to Henry "Bud" Olencki. Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2003, Bud had localized tumors removed surgically on several occasions. But when the cancer spread to his prostatic urethra in 2009 what had become routine just wasn't working anymore. His urologist said to save his life, Bud would have to have his bladder and prostate removed.
Raised with 12 siblings in Ireland, Stephen McNamara enjoyed his childhood and his country. However, in 1949, when the opportunity presented itself to come to America, he acted on it. Mary, a nursing student whom he met in England, followed her heart and came to America to marry Stephen. They settled in the Philadelphia area and raised five children. During this time, Stephen was drafted and served stateside during the Korean War. Not long after, he became a citizen of the United States. "I just fell in love with America," shares Stephen.
Paul Cervone was diagnosed with bladder cancer around the time he turned 50. He sought treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and underwent both radiation and surgical procedures, under the care of Dr. Richard Greenberg and Dr. Elizabeth Plimack. After a long journey, with more than one recurrence, Paul has now been cancer free since 2011. "I have seen the level of care some cancer patients have received at other hospitals, and I have found them to not meet the treatment I received at Fox Chase," he said. "I have recommended Fox Chase to friends and will continue to do so. The Fox Chase team not only treated my cancers but also extended my life."
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