Director, Supportive Oncology and Palliative Care Program
Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology
Physician Leader, Schwartz Center Rounds
Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University
NCCN, Adult Cancer Pain Panel Member
Palliative Care; Cancer Pain Management
| Pain Medicine |
As a palliative care physician, it is my true privilege to care for individuals with cancer. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary specialty that focuses on supporting the best possible quality of life for patients and their families facing serious illness.
In my clinical work, I seek to ease patients’ distress by focusing on relieving pain and other emotional and physical symptoms. Cancer care today is very complex, and deciding on the right treatment choices can be challenging. Helping individuals make health care decisions that are most congruent with their personal values, needs, beliefs and preferences is a crucial part of my work. Our team works very closely with each patient, family and the primary oncology team to provide care that is efficient and well-coordinated.
I feel very fortunate to practice at Fox Chase Cancer Center, which has enjoyed a long tradition of providing high-quality palliative care to its patients. I am truly proud to lead a team of incredibly dedicated and highly skilled clinicians who strive daily to improve the quality of life for individuals with cancer, their families and caregivers.
Follow on Twitter: @mchwistek
Cancer Pain Management, Palliative Medicine; Cancer Survivorship; Patient-Physician Communication
Risks associated with opioid use. Chwistek M. JAMA. 2013 Oct 23;310(16):1737. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.277305. No abstract available. PMID: 24150475
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures #202. Chwistek M, Mehta RS. J Palliat Med. 2012 Oct;15(10):1151-2. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2012.9556. No abstract available. PMID: 22957679
Books: When you have eliminated the impossible …CMAJ October 16, 2012 184:E823; published ahead of print July 3, 2012, doi:10.1503/cmaj.111452
Management of chronic pain in cancer survivors. Levy MH, Chwistek M, Mehta RS. Cancer J. 2008 Nov- Dec;14(6):401-9. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0b013e31818f5aa7. Review. PMID: 19060605
Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw #196. Mehta RS, Chwistek M. J Palliat Med. 2008 Sep;11(7):1039-40. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2008.9866. No abstract available. PMID: 18788967
Gallstone pancreatitis: a community teaching hospital experience. Chwistek M, Roberts I, Amoateng-Adjepong Y. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2001 Jul;33(1):41-4. PMID: 11418789
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