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Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
NCCN, Prostate Cancer Early Detection Panel Member
I am a urologic oncologist specializing in the surgical management of tumors of the kidney, bladder, prostate, adrenal, testis and other genitourinary organs. As part of the multi-disciplinary Genitourinary Cancer Patient Care Team, I work closely with my colleagues in Medical and Radiation Oncology to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that offers the best chance for cure for each patient.
The mission at the Fox Chase Cancer Center is to deliver world class oncologic care in the most compassionate and respectful way possible. A cancer diagnosis brings fear and uncertainty for patients and their families, and my personal philosophy is to treat patients how I would wish for my family members to be treated. Patient education is essential, and I consider it of utmost importance to take the time necessary for patients to understand and feel comfortable with all possible treatment options to inspire confident decision making.
I have expertise in open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical techniques, which allows me to tailor a specific treatment plan based on individual patient need and preferences. I have particular expertise in minimally invasive organ preserving and reconstructive techniques to preserve function and quality of life, including nerve-sparing prostatectomy for patients with prostate cancer and partial nephrectomy for patients with kidney cancer. I have experience performing both robotic and open cystectomy for patients with bladder cancer, and prefer to construct continent urinary diversions whenever possible. I have a clinical interest in the surgical management of patients with high risk and advanced disease, and have experience performing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection following chemotherapy in patients with testicular cancer, cytoreductive nephrectomy and thrombectomy for patients with metastatic kidney cancer or tumors extending into the vena cava, and salvage surgery following radiation for patients with bladder or prostate cancer.
Follow on Twitter: @FCUroOnc
In August 2012, at the age of 61, Chuck Leonard was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer that had metastasized to his lungs. After seeing one doctor, Chuck decided to seek a second opinion from a specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he planned to take part in a clinical trial. However, additional testing revealed he was a candidate for surgery. Chuck also underwent radiation using Cyberknife technology at Fox Chase Buckingham after an MRI revealed the kidney cancer had spread to his brain. “In 2016, I can mark three years since I have had detectable cancer,” he said. “I’m so thankful for all the outstanding care, both medical and other, provided by Fox Chase and the caring doctors and nurses. Hopefully, my tests will continue to have good outcomes, and, if not, I know I’m getting the best care possible from Fox Chase Cancer Center.”
'I am very lucky the tick bit me, because I had no symptoms and no idea that I had cancer. I have nothing but the highest regard for those doctors and their teams. They are so caring and compassionate, and they literally gave me my life back.'
Saying that Charles Still is a busy man is an understatement. A father to eight children ages 16 to 36, a business owner, and a devoted husband to his wife Debra of 37 years, Charles is a family man and was vigilant about seeing his doctor for his yearly physical exam. In July 2013, at age 57, following blood testing from his yearly physical, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were detected, raising suspicion for prostate cancer.
When he thinks back on October 28, 2013, Jim Tetzlaff realizes it would have been easy to ignore what happened and not give it another thought. “I’m a man – we have a tendency to ignore things that have to do with our health,” says Jim, who was 75 at the time. On that day, after one of his grandson’s football games, Jim went to the bathroom and saw blood in his urine. “It was upsetting, but I didn’t have any other symptoms so I thought it had to be a fluke,” recalls the former medical equipment salesman.
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Corcoran, A.T., Handorf, E, Canter, D, Tomaszewski, J.J., Bekelman, J.E., Kim, S.P., Uzzo, R.G., Kutikov. A, Smaldone, M.C. (2015) Variation in performance of candidate surgical quality measures for muscle invasive bladder cancer by hospital type. BJU Int, 115(2):230-7. PubMed
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