It is an honor to be part of the staff of the Fox Chase Cancer Center. My initial exposure occurred during a rotation as a Temple University Medical School student at Fox Chase that led me down the path of Surgical Oncology. As a native Philadelphian, I am privileged to work at such an esteemed institution. I was enthralled then by the dedicated care of the staff in dealing with all aspects of treating patients diagnosed with cancer, and I hope to continue this throughout my career at Fox Chase.

I trained in general surgery at Temple University Hospital. During my fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, I learned from experts in the field of surgical oncology about clinical trial design, experimental therapeutics and the importance of bench-to-bedside research to progress the fight against cancer. I encountered patients with very complex problems, and the greatest lesson I learned was there are always treatment options, utilizing all different types of techniques including radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

My clinical surgical oncology fellowship at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida has provided me with an extensive understanding of the multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with cancer. One of the greatest benefits of a cancer center like Fox Chase is the close knit group of expert physicians from all specialties that are constantly interacting and providing the highest level of care using the most innovative strategies to treat all aspects of cancer. I have developed a particularly strong interest in the surgical and multimodal treatment of patients with Melanoma, Sarcoma and Colorectal cancers, using traditional surgery, regional therapies, and minimally invasive techniques. I have the operative expertise to perform many of these complex procedures using laparoscopic, robotic, and TAMIS (transanal minimally invasive surgery) techniques and have had advanced training in using newest techniques. I am an expert in the treatment of colorectal cancer including; sphincter sparing and nerve sparing resections, and treating patients with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.

For melanoma and sarcoma that has regional spread in the extremities I offer a minimally invasive technique call Isolated Limb Infusion, and perform minimally invasive inguinal lymph node dissections.

Most importantly, I hold my patients as my number one priority. I will spend as much time as necessary educating, answering questions and providing guidance for each individual patient to help them throughout each stage of treatment. I believe in candid discussions, where both the patients and families goals and expectations are openly communicated. We will work together as a team to formulate a treatment plan. My personal goal is to treat and care for every patient with the same compassion and honesty as if they were a friend or family m ember.

Follow on Twitter: @jeffreyfarma

Education and Training

Educational Background

Fellow, Surgical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 2009
Administrative Chief Resident, Department of Surgery, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2007
Chief Resident, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2006
Fellow, Surgical Oncology, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 2005
Resident, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2003
MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2000

Certifications

American Board of Surgery

Memberships

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Panel
American College of Surgeons
American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
American Radium Society
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Association of Academic Surgery- Candidate Member
Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS)
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Metropolitan Philadelphia American College of Surgeons
North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society
Philadelphia Academy of Surgery
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Society of Surgical Oncology, vice chair of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Program Directors Committee
Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
Society of University Surgeon
Surgical Biology Club III

Honors & Awards

Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2018
Castle Connelly national list of Top Doctors^®, Regional Top Doctor 2014-17
Humanitarian Award, Melanoma Research Foundation, 2016
2015 American College of Surgeons Traveling Fellowship to Germany, 2014
Alpha Omega Alpha, National Medical Honor Society, Epsilon Chapter- Honorary Member, 2014
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center 2008 Fellow’ Education Research Symposium, Best Clinical Poster Presentation, 2008
Temple University Surgery Resident Research Symposium Award, 2007
H. Taylor Caswell Award, Department of Surgery Teaching Award for outstanding Chief Surgical Resident, 2007
ASCO Foundation Merit Award, 2005

Patient Stories

Thomas Myers

Melanoma; Prostate Cancer

Thomas Myers

Melanoma; Prostate Cancer

The level of teamwork and communication amongst the doctors was reassuring. Even though I felt overwhelmed by multiple surgeries, treatments, and diagnoses, I took immense comfort in the prompt actions taken my team of physicians.

View Patient Story

Ann Marie Evans

Skin Cancer

Ann Marie Evans

Skin Cancer

Cancer doesn’t always come with a warning.

In 2013, I noticed a lump on my right buttock that seemed like a cyst. I knew that cysts were typically nothing to worry about, but continued to keep an eye on it. It grew, shrank, and continued to fluctuate over time, but was completely painless. It wasn’t until about a year later, when it started turning strange colors, that I decided to get it checked.

View Patient Story

Alyssia O’Malley

Sarcoma

Alyssia O’Malley

Sarcoma

Alyssia O’Malley was a 44-year-old mother of two when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 retroperitoneal sarcoma in 2014. Her primary care physician referred her to Fox Chase Cancer Center for treatment where she underwent chemotherapy and later surgery. Today her cancer is in remission, and she is back to work full time. " I was very blessed to be at Fox Chase," Alyssia said. "I had been so scared, but I never worried in their care. They made me feel safe, and I knew they would do everything they could."

View Patient Story

Mary Anne Barlow

Colorectal Cancer

Mary Anne Barlow

Colorectal Cancer

After experiencing about six months of symptoms, Mary Anne Barlow was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2011 at the age of 55. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation at a local hospital, but was referred to Fox Chase Cancer Center for surgery, which turned out to be complex. After an abnormal Pap smear 18 months later, in the spring of 2013, Mary Anne returned to Fox Chase for surgery, this time undergoing a hysterectomy. "In 2016, I celebrated the five-year mark since my cancer diagnosis," she said. "I still go back to Fox Chase twice a year to see Dr. Farma and Dr. Bergman, and when I go there, everyone is so kind and special. They all know me. I am very grateful for Dr. Farma. The dedication he offers patients goes above and beyond what a doctor does. I truly do not have enough words to thank him."

View Patient Story

William Purner

Melanoma

William Purner

Melanoma

I was 25 in 2009 when I noticed a large half-dollar-size mole on my back, something I knew had not been there before. I am fair skinned and burn easily in the sun, so I have never been a sunbather or tanner. I generally take precautions when I’m out in the sun, so when this mole appeared, I knew I should see my doctor.

View Patient Story

Pages

Research Profile

Research Program

Molecular Therapeutics

Research Interests

Melanoma: Molecular profiling, outcomes research, clinical trials, immunotherapy
Colorectal: Molecular and imaging profiling for rectal cancer, outcomes research, clinical trials, quality of life
Sarcoma

Publications

Selected Publications

Moten AS, Movva S, von Mehren M, Wu H, Esnaola NF, Reddy SS, Farma JM. Granular cell tumor experience at a comprehensive cancer center. J Surg Res, 226:1-7, 2018. PubMed

Goel N, Manstein SM, Ward WH, DeMora L, Smaldone MC, Farma JM, Uzzo RG, Esnaola NF. Does the Surgical Apgar Score predict serious complications after elective major cancer surgery? Journal of Surgical Research, 231:242-7, 2018.

Jakub JW, Terando AM, Sarnaik A, Ariyan CE, Faries MB, Zani S Jr, Neuman HB, Wasif N, Farma JM, Averbrook BJ, Bilimoria KY, Jake Allred JB, Suman VJ, Grotz TE, Zendejas B, Wayne JD, Tyler DS. Training High-Volume Melanoma Surgeons to Perform a Novel Minimally Invasive Inguinal Lymphadenectomy: Report of a Prospective Multi-Institutional Trial. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. November 2015.

Schatz TP, Nassif MO, Farma JM. Extensive portal venous gas: Unlikely etiology and outcome. Int J Surg Case Rep. December 2014.

Yeo H, Niland J, Milne D, ter Veer A, Bekail-Saab T, Farma JM, Lai L, Skibber JM, Small W Jr, Wilkinson N, Schrag D, Weiser MR, Incidence of minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery at national comprehensive cancer network centers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. December 2014.

Singla S, Papavasiliou P, Powers B, Gaughan J, von Mehren M, Watson JC, Farma JM. Challenges in Treatment of Angiosarcoma: A Single Institution Experience. The American Journal of Surgery. April 2014.

Johnson ME, Zhu F, Li T, Wu H, Galloway TJ, Farma JM,. Perlis C Turaka A,. Absolute Lymphocyte Count: a Potential Prognostic Factor for Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. March 2014.

Yeo H, Niland J, Milne D, Veer AT, Bekaii-Saab T, Farma JM, Lai L, Skibber J, Small W, Wilkenson N, Schrag D, Weiser M. Incidence of Minimally Invasive Colorectal Cancer Surgery at National Comprehensive Cancer Network Centers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Accepted for publication. January 2014.

Keller D, Thomay AA, Gaughan J, Wu H, Farma JM. Outcomes in Patients with Mucosal Melanomas. Journal of Surgical Oncology. October 2013.

Chen KT, Papavasiliou P, Edwards K, Zhu F, Perlis C, Wu H, Turaka A, Berger A, Farma JM. A better prognosis for merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin. American Journal of Surgery. July 2013.

Arrangoiz R, Papavasiliou P, Siripuapu V, Li T, Watson JC, Hoffman JP, Farma JM, Partial stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy as an alternative for palliation in patients with malignant gastric or duodenal outlet obstruction. American Journal of Surgery. May 2013.

Nitzkorski, James, Willis, A, Farma JM, Zhu F, Nick D, Sigurdson, E. Association of race and socioeconomic status and outcomes with patients with rectal cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. January 2013.

Chen KT, Olszanski A, Farma JM. Donor transmission of melanoma following renal transplant. Case Reports in Transplantation. November 2012.

Farma JM, Zager JS, Barnica-elvir V, Puleo CA, Marzban SS, Rollison DE, Messina JL, Sondak VK. A collision of diseases: chronic lymphocytic leukemia discovered during lymph node biopsy for melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. November 2012.

Papavasiliou P, Arrangoiz R, Farma JM. Utility of PET/CT in the staging and treatment of patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy. S5-001 October 2012.

Additional Publications

Dr. Jeffery Farma on PubMed

Ratings

140 PATIENT SATISFACTION REVIEWS

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.

OVERALL RATING

4.9 / 5.0

RATINGS BREAKDOWN

4.9

Gives easy to understand instruction
Gives easy to understand instruction
4.9

Explains in a way you understand
Explains in a way you understand
5.0

Listens carefully to you
Listens carefully to you
4.9

Shows respect for what you say
Shows respect for what you say
4.7

Spends enough time with you
Spends enough time with you

20 PATIENT COMMENTS

5.0

November 12, 2018

Dr. Farma and his team are top notch.
5.0

October 30, 2018

Excellent.
5.0

October 03, 2018

Overall very good experience!
1.9

September 20, 2018

He did not seem to know my medical history [...].
5.0

September 20, 2018

DR FARMA ALWAYS GREATS ME WITH A BIG SMILE, HE'S VERY KIND, EASY TO LIKE AND HE'S A WONDERFUL DOCTOR.
5.0

September 07, 2018

Excellent care.
5.0

August 27, 2018

Love Dr. Farma [...].
5.0

August 23, 2018

Dr. Farma is awesome and I am very lucky to have him as my doctor. He has taken great care of me.
5.0

August 21, 2018

Dr. J. Farma was outstanding in every manner - professional, caring, clear explanations - always willing to listen...the very best in every way.
4.5

August 02, 2018

good
5.0

July 30, 2018

Dr. Pharma provided excellent care. Very professional and kind.
5.0

June 26, 2018

Very good 1st experience.
5.0

June 14, 2018

A great team that really is concerned with making your life the best it can be
5.0

April 30, 2018

Dr. Farma was the best choice for a doctor. I could have ever hoped to find.
5.0

April 26, 2018

Very good.
5.0

April 20, 2018

Would highly recommend Dr Farma and his staff, the same for Fox Chase Cancer Center.
5.0

April 20, 2018

Dr. Farma did an exceptional job in sharing and explaining my CT results. It meant a great deal to me and my husband to see the images that went beyond the written report. This eased our concerns significantly while continuing the care plan. Thank You
5.0

April 15, 2018

Fox Chase Cancer Center should be very pleased to have Dr. Farma as a member of their staff. He has overseen my progress since being diagnosed for Anal Squamus Cancer in 2015, along with Drs. [...], [...], and [...]. But, it is Dr. Farma who has the ultimate responsibility for the final decision. There is no one better for this than Dr. Farma. His care, concern and thoroughness is without question. No matter how nervous, afraid or concerned I may be, he has the ability to understand and present the options in a kind, honest and professional manner. His answer to questions is always straight forward and courteous. I am so thrilled to have chosen Fox Chase Cancer Center as the facility to deal with my diagnosis, and the results have been extremely successful. So once again, thank you to Dr. Farma and everyone at Fox Chase.
5.0

April 09, 2018

Very good experiences always.
4.5

April 05, 2018

Dr. [...] and Dr. Farma both excellent.