Marcin Chwistek, MD, FAAHPM

Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
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
Treatment Focus
Palliative Care; Cancer Pain Management
Research Program
Key Awards
![]() |
Pain Medicine |
Treatment Philosophy
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
Educational Background
- Fellow, Pain and Palliative Care, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Fellow, Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ
- Resident, Internal Medicine, Yale University-Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT
- MD, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland, 1993
Certifications
- American Board of Internal Medicine
- American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, Pain Management
Memberships
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Adult Cancer Pain Panel
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Pain Society
- International Association for the Study of Pain
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2012-20
- America's Top Doctors®, 2016-17
- Fox Chase Award, Exemplifying the Spirit of Survivorship, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2013
- Nominee, Longstreth Humaness Award, Bridgeport Hospital, 2000
Research Program
Research Interests
Cancer Pain Management, Palliative Medicine; Cancer Survivorship; Patient-Physician Communication
Selected Publications
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
Additional Publications
My NCBI

Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
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
Treatment Focus
Palliative Care; Cancer Pain Management
Research Program
Key Awards
![]() |
Pain Medicine |
Treatment Philosophy
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
Education
Educational Background
- Fellow, Pain and Palliative Care, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Fellow, Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ
- Resident, Internal Medicine, Yale University-Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT
- MD, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland, 1993
Certifications
- American Board of Internal Medicine
- American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, Pain Management
Memberships
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Adult Cancer Pain Panel
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Pain Society
- International Association for the Study of Pain
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2012-20
- America's Top Doctors®, 2016-17
- Fox Chase Award, Exemplifying the Spirit of Survivorship, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2013
- Nominee, Longstreth Humaness Award, Bridgeport Hospital, 2000
Research Profile
Research Interests
Cancer Pain Management, Palliative Medicine; Cancer Survivorship; Patient-Physician Communication
Publications
Selected Publications
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
Additional Publications
My NCBI