Teresa Lee, MD, PhD

Link to /sites/default/files/styles/person_photo/public/photo/Lee-Teresa-640x860.jpg?h=fd5ffb0f&itok=ID4rr4Vr

Assistant Professor

Specialties

  • Head and Neck Medical Oncology ; 
  • Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Medical Oncology

Areas of Expertise

Head & Neck Cancer, Sarcoma

Treatment Focus

Chemotherapy; Targeted therapy; Immunotherapy; Clinical trials for sarcoma and head and neck malignancies

Treatment Philosophy

I am a medical oncologist specializing in cancers of the bones and soft tissue (sarcoma) as well as the head and neck. I was drawn to oncology during medical school, where I was struck by the depth and multifaceted nature of the relationships that we develop with our patients. I was privileged to witness the important role we can play in understanding each individual person’s hopes and goals, providing up-to-date and nuanced information and therapies, listening to experiences, and relieving suffering. My time in a laboratory setting has also highlighted for me how our field has truly harnessed the advances in our understanding of molecular pathways to help people live longer and better. As I stated on my application when I decided to be an oncology fellow: to be an oncologist is to truly care about the very big and the very small.

I came to Fox Chase Cancer Center after completing my fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. From the moment I came, I was impressed with the dedication, sense of common purpose, and kindness of every person I have met. Now, I am focused on developing clinical trials as well as partnering with the talented scientists here on translational research that can lead to new innovations in treating the patients I see.

Clinical Locations

  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
    333 Cottman Avenue
    Philadelphia, PA 19111
    Phone: 888-369-2427

Educational Background

  • 2018-2021 - Fellowship, Hematology/Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2014-2017 - Residency, Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
  • 2005 - 2014 - MD, magna cum laude, and PhD, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
  • 1999-2003, BA, Biology, cum laude, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine
  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Hematology
  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Medical Oncology

Memberships

  • 2018 - Present - American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • 2018 - Present - American Society of Hematology
  • 2013 - Present - American College of Physicians
  • 2010 - 2011 - American Association for Cancer Research
  • 2009 - 2011 - International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research

Honors & Awards

  • 2016 - Resident Award in Patient Satisfaction, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
  • 2016 - Professionalism Award, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
  • 2015 - Professionalism Award, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
  • 2013 - Elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Society, University of Maryland School of Medicine
  • 2009-2011 - NIH T32 Training Grant, University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • 2009 - Milstein Travel Award, International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research
  • 2008 - 1st place Rotation Project: Annual Student Presentation, Program in Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • 2005-2008 - University of Maryland, Baltimore: 4.0 average, Honors in Structure and Development, Cell and Molecular Biology, Functional Systems, Host Defenses and Infectious Disease
  • 1999-2003 - Harvard College Academic Scholarship, Harvard University

Research Interests

Sarcoma; Head and neck cancers; Drug development

Christine Olszanski

Christine  Olszanski

  • Melanoma

Finding the Right Care  

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.

VIEW PATIENT STORY
Christen Sheroff

Christen Sheroff

  • Sarcoma

I’ve always done my best to take care of my body. Wellness is very important to me, and it’s something I put a lot of time and care into.

VIEW PATIENT STORY

Selected Publications

  • Laufer MK, van Oosterhout JJ, Thesing PC, Dzinjalamala FK, Hsi T, Beraho L, Graham SM, Taylor TE, Plowe CV. Malaria treatment efficacy among people living with HIV: the role of host and parasite factors. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Oct;77(4):627-32
  • Li XL, Ezelle HJ, Hsi TY, Hassel BA. A central role for RNA in the induction and biological activities of type 1 IFNs. WIRES RNA. 2011 Jan/Feb; 2(1): 58-78
  • Lee TY, Ezelle HJ, Venkataraman T, Lapidus RG, Scheibner KA, Hassel BA. Regulation of Human RNase-L by the miR-29 Family Reveals a Novel Oncogenic Role in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. J Interferon Cytokine Res. 2013 Jan;33(1):34-42 (Featured article in this issue)
  • Lee, TY. The Patient’s Wife. J Gen Int Med. 2017 Oct 30 (Web Only: Medical Humanities)
  • Lee, TY, Martinez-Outschoorn UE, Schilder RJ, Kim CH, Richard SD, Rosenblum NG, Johnson JM. Metformin as a Therapeutic Target in Endometrial Cancers. Front Oncol. 2018 Aug 28; 8:341