Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS
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Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Associate Professor
Leader, Breast Service Line
Director, Breast Fellowship Program
Specialties
Treatment Focus
Novel Treatment Modalities for Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Clinical Trials, Cosmetic Outcomes in the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Research Program
Treatment Philosophy
I am acutely aware of the impact that a breast cancer diagnosis has on an individual. I do my best to foster a positive environment in which to start my patients' course of treatment and take the time to explain the pros and cons of each treatment option, so that they can make an informed decision. My treatment philosophy also includes, not just an emphasis on successful treatment, but also preserving a good cosmetic outcome. I feel fortunate to be a fellowship trained, very highly specialized clinician practicing at Fox Chase Cancer Center, which is an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, because this combination of factors allows me, and our treatment team, to focus on one thing all day, every day, and do it well: curing breast cancer. I think there is nothing more rewarding that I could do as a clinician.
Follow on Twitter: @RichardBleicher
Educational Background
- Fellow, Basic Science Research, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Fellow, Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA
- Resident, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 1994
- BA, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1990
Certifications
- Board Certified, General Surgery
Memberships
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Epic User Group Committee
- American College of Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
- American Medical Informatics Association
- American Radium Society
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Association for Academic Surgery
- Oncology Group American
- Society of Breast Surgeons
- International Sentinel Node Society
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
- Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
- Society of Surgical Oncology
- Society of University Surgeons
Honors & Awards
- Best Doctors in America®, Best Doctors Inc., 2014
- Breast Cancer Researcher of the Year Award for 2009, Adams County Breast Cancer Coalition, 2009
- Sentinel Node 2002 Congress Young Investigator Award, 2002
- American Society of Clinical Oncology Merit Award, 2002
Denise Portner
Denise Portner
Both Denise Portner's mother and aunt are breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed at age 60. Both underwent genetic testing and learned they carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation, that indicates an increased risk of breast cancer. In May of 2008, Denise and her sister underwent genetic testing, and it was determined that Denise was also a carrier.
Rosella Nelson
Rosella Nelson
"Get a second opinion, and go to a nationally recognized cancer center!" This is the advice Rosella Nelson wants everyone who has been diagnosed with cancer to hear. Had she not practiced what she preaches, Rosella would have had both breasts removed needlessly in 2007 at her local hospital. Fortunately, a second opinion at Fox Chase Cancer Center provided Rosella with alternatives, as well as hope.
Patti Rose
Patti Rose
In October 2012, Patti and Michael Rose were enjoying parenthood, busy raising seven active children, ranging in ages from 2-18. Most women begin annual mammography at the age of 40. Patti, who was 36, never had a mammogram. After she detected a marble-sized lump in her breast, she scheduled her first mammogram and ultrasound, which was followed with a biopsy. Within five days, Patti learned she had breast cancer.
“Fox Chase Cancer Center is the best – and we’re so fortunate it is right around the corner.”
Diana Robinson
Diana Robinson
In the 25 years that Diana Robinson has been with her partner, Jan, they've shared everything - a love of gardening, social and family time, as well as boating at their New Jersey beach home. Cancer was not supposed to be on that list.
Kathy Rozanski
Kathy Rozanski
Kathy Rozanski will never forget November 14, 2007. It was the day after her father-in-law died from complications from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ... and her mother was diagnosed with Stage II invasive ductal carcinoma. Not a good day.
Kathy supported her mother as she started her course of treatment: a lumpectomy, followed by 33 rounds of radiation. Rather than focusing on herself, Kathy's mother was concerned for her two daughters. Kathy and her sister scheduled their mammograms.
Pages
Research Program
Research Interests
Health services research, breast imaging, breast cancer, population studies; Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer; Novel treatment modalities for breast cancer; Breast cancer clinical trials; Breast imaging and cancer outcomes, Disparities in breast cancer, Male and female breast cancer.
Selected Publications
Bleicher RJ, Ruth K, Sigurdson ER, Beck RJ, Ross E, Wong YN, Patel SA, Boraas M, Chang EI, Topham NS, Egleston BL. Time to surgery and breast cancer survival in the United States. In Press, JAMA Oncol 2015
Bleicher RJ, Ruth K, Sigurdson ER, Daly JM, Boraas M, Anderson P, Egleston BL. Breast Conservation Versus Mastectomy for T3 Primaries (>5 cm): A Review of 5,685 Medicare Patients. In Press, Cancer 2015.
Bleicher RJ. Reply to E. Peralta, et al. re: Breast MRI as it is, in contrast to how we wish it to be. J Clin Oncol 2014; 32, 2818-2819.
Loveland-Jones C, Ruth K, Sigurdson ER, Egleston BL, Boraas M, Bleicher RJ. Breast conservation surgery in the Medicare patient: Will the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 Trial change the pattern of care? Br Cancer Res Treat 2014; 143, 571-7. [DOI 10.1007/s10549-014-2834-9, PubMed]
Bleicher RJ, Ruth K, Sigurdson ER, Ross E, Wong YN, Patel SA, Boraas M, Topham NS, Egleston BL. Preoperative delays in the United States Medicare population having breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30, 4485-92. [DOI 10.1200/JCO.2012.41.7972, PubMed]
Crivello M, Ruth K, Egleston BL, Sigurdson ER, Wong YN, Boraas M, Bleicher RJ. Advanced imaging modalities in early stage breast cancer– preoperative use in the United States Medicare Patient. Ann Surg Oncol 2013; 20: 102-10. [DOI 10.1245/s10434-012-2571-4, PubMed]
Patel RR, Li T, Ross EA, Sesa L, Sigurdson ER, Bleicher RJ. The effect of simultaneous peripheral excision in breast conservation upon margin status. Ann Surg Oncol 2010; 17, 2933-9. [DOI: 10.1245/s10434-010-1123-z, PubMed, NIHMS: 200283]
Bleicher RJ, Ciocca RM, Egleston BL, Sesa L, Evers K, Sigurdson ER, Morrow M. The association of routine pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging with time to surgery, mastectomy rate, and margin status. J Am Coll Surg 2009; 209: 180-187. Quiz 294-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.04.010, PubMed
Bleicher RJ, Kloth DD, Robinson D, Axelrod P. Inflammatory cutaneous adverse effects of methylene blue dye injection for lymphatic mapping/sentinel lymphadenectomy. J Surg Oncol 2009; 99:356-60. [DOI: 10.1002/jso.21240, PubMed]
Bleicher RJ, Topham NS, Morrow M. Beauty and the beast: Management of breast cancer after plastic surgery. Ann Surg 2008; 247:680-6. [DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e318161b40f, PubMed]
