Due to a system-wide technology update, we are experiencing extremely high call volume. We appreciate your patience with our operators during this time. Thank you for choosing Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS
Clinical Locations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Huntingdon Pike
Primary Location
Secondary Location
President & CEO, Fox Chase Cancer Center
G. Willing "Wing" Pepper Chair in Cancer Research
Professor, Department of Surgery
Professor of Surgery, Temple University Health System
Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering, Temple University College of Engineering
Specialties
Treatment Focus
- Robotic and laparoscopic urologic oncology
- Organ preservation (kidney, bladder, testicular and adrenal)
- Non-surgical management of low risk urinary tumors
- Complex urological reconstruction
Research Program
Key Awards
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| Urology |
Treatment Philosophy
I believe in treating patients as I would my own family. I strive to communicate effectively with patients and family members at all levels. Through extensive discussions with my patients, I develop treatment plans that are both effective and acknowledge that quality of life issues are exceptionally important. I emphasize individually tailored treatments to help patients achieve success and limit treatment-related side effects which can affect quality of life.
I am sensitive to the particular issues regarding surgical treatment of genitourinary cancer, especially the physical and emotional effects on patients and their family. By fostering a doctor-patient relationship based on mutual respect and open dialogue, I encourage patients to become empowered managers of their care.
As a fellowship-trained laparoscopic and robotic urologic oncologist, I am specially trained in nerve-sparing, organ sparing and organ reconstructive surgical techniques for men and women. These strategies are essential for preserving normal functions. For instance, I perform kidney sparing surgery whenever possible to avoid future risks of dialysis. For prostate or testicular surgery, nerve preservation is essential; and when bladder removal is necessary, reconstruction of a new (neobladder) is my preferred approach.
Professionally, I have published more than 300 journal papers in urologic oncology and have lectured extensively regionally, nationally and internationally on the topics of kidney, prostate, bladder, and testicular cancer. I am the principle investigator or co-investigator on multiple national and regional clinical trials in urologic oncology. Because of my research and extensive membership in professional organizations, I am among the first to know what is new in urologic cancer treatment. Philadelphia magazine has chosen me for its "Top Doctors" list every year since 2002.
Bio
As President & CEO, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Robert Uzzo is responsible for leading the overall clinical operations of Fox Chase. In his role as Chair of the Department of Surgery, he leads the surgery efforts and oversees research laboratory initiatives to study molecular mechanisms of genitourinary cancers.
In addition to these roles, Uzzo is the G. Willing “Wing” Pepper Chair in Cancer Research and also serves as the organization’s President of the Medical Group. He also serves as the founding Executive Director of the nation’s second largest urologic quality collaborative, the Pennsylvania Urologic Regional Collaborative.
Uzzo’s primary research has been in renal cell carcinoma, with a special focus on clinical decision making, surgical management, and adjuvant therapies. He has been a principal investigator, investigator, or co-principal investigator on dozens of leading national and international trials in urinary cancers that have had a major impact on the field of urology. In addition, he is the developer of the NEPHROMETRY scoring system, which is used to delineate the complexity of renal tumors and impact of care.
Uzzo is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an elected member of both the prestigious American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons and the Clinical Society of GU Surgeons. He has served as visiting professor at over 50 institutions around the world, trained dozens of residents and fellows, holds six patents, and has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator on dozens of grants. His publication of over 900 peer reviewed articles, chapters and abstracts have been cited nearly 20,000 times in the literature
Uzzo graduated summa cum laude and as valedictorian from Union College’s accelerated six-year Biomedical Program. He attended Cornell University Medical College, where he was a New York State Finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship competition. He completed general surgical training followed by urologic surgical training at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He was an American Foundation for Urological Diseases Scholar in Urological Oncology and completed both oncological and renal transplantation fellowships at Cleveland Clinic before joining Fox Chase in 2000.
Educational Background
- Fellow, Urologic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Fellow, Renal Transplantation and Renovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Chief Resident, Urology, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center, New York, NY
- Senior Resident, Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- MD, Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 1991
- BS/BA, Union College, Schenectady, NY, 1987, Valedictorian
Certifications
- Diplomate, American Board of Urology
Memberships
- The American Urological Association
- Member, American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, AAGUS
- Society of Urologic Oncology, Board of Directors
- Society of Urologic Oncology, Clinical Trials Consortium, President
- Society of Urologic Oncology, Clinical Trials Consortium, Renal Program Chairman
- Board of Directors, SUO Clinical Trials Consortia, member-at-large
- Fox Chase Cancer Center Society of Scholars
- Kidney Cancer Association Medical Advisory Board
- Fellow American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.)
- Society of Urologic Oncology
- Pennsylvania Medical Society
- Philadelphia County Medical Society
- The MidAtlantic Section of the American Urological Association
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
- Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
- American College of Surgeons Oncology Group - Vice Chairman, GU Organ Committee 2002-2006
- American Society of Transplant Surgeons
- Urologic Society of Transplant and Vascular Surgeons
- Society for Basic Urologic Research
- American Association for Cancer Research
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2002-20
- Best Doctors in America®, 2013-16, 2019-2020, Urology
- America’s Top Doctors®, 2008-17
- AUA Residents National Committee Teaching Award
- Consumer’s Research Council of America –America’s Top Physicians
Norm Faus III
- Kidney Cancer
My name is Norm Faus III. I live in Lititz, Pennsylvania, which is about 80 miles west of Philadelphia. My wife and I have been married for 53 years. We have two grown children and several grandchildren. That makes me an old man of 73.
Generally, I’ve been very healthy over the years. The only thing I did develop, about 20 years ago, is peripheral neuropathy. It was what the doctors call idiopathic, meaning I didn’t have diabetes or cancer or anything that would have caused it to develop. Otherwise, I haven’t had any serious health issues.
Tina Pidgeon
- Kidney Cancer
Eleven years ago, I went in for a routine ultrasound to evaluate my pregnancy. I had no idea that the test would completely change my life and lead to a diagnosis of kidney cancer.
David Hiltgen
- Kidney Cancer
My kidney cancer was discovered at the worst time: right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luciano Orsini
- Kidney Cancer
I’m 58 years old and live in Sicklerville, New Jersey. In normal times, summer is my favorite time of year. I’d have been looking forward to it this year, if COVID-19 hadn’t happened and forced me to delay my surgery for kidney cancer.
Research Interests
- Clinical and translational questions involving renal cell carcinoma including decision making models in the management of renal cancers and processes/quality of care in urologic malignancies
- Analyses of outcomes involving excision, ablation, and active surveillance for localized kidney cancer and techniques/outcomes of surgery in locally advanced and metastatic RCC
- Actively develop and accrue to multiple industry sponsored national and international urological oncology trials as well as investigator initiated trials.
- Translational interests include biomarker development in kidney cancer and the role of zinc dyshomeostasis in prostate cancer
Selected Publications
Chapters and Publications from over 400:
Correa A.F., Jegede O.A., Haas N.B., Flaherty K.T., Pins M.R., Adeniran A., Messing E.M., Manola J., Wood C.G., Kane C.J., Jewett M.A.S., Dutcher J.P., DiPaola R.S., Carducci M.A., Uzzo R.G., Predicting disease recurrence, early progression, and overall survival following surgical resection for high-risk localized and locally advanced renal cell carcinoma. Eur Urol. 80(1): 20-31, 2021. PMC8627688. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33707112.
Smith S.M., Wachter K., Burris H.A., 3rd, Schilsky R.L., George D.J., Peterson D.E., Johnson M.L., Markham M.J., Mileham K.F., Beg M.S., Bendell J.C., Dreicer R., Keedy V.L., Kimple R.J., Knoll M.A., LoConte N., MacKay H., Meisel J.L., Moynihan T.J., Mulrooney D.A., Mulvey T.M., Odenike O., Pennell N.A., Reeder-Hayes K., Smith C., Sullivan R.J., Uzzo R., Clinical cancer advances 2021: Asco's report on progress against cancer. J Clin Oncol. 39(10): 1165-1184, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33527845.
Campbell S.C., Novick A.C., Belldegrun A., Blute M.L., Chow G.K., Derweesh I.H., Faraday M.M., Kaouk J.H., Leveillee R.J., Matin S.F., Russo P., Uzzo R.G., Guideline for Management of the Clinical T1 Renal Mass, 2009, Journal of Urology, 182, 4 SUPPL., 1271, 1279 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.
Uzzo R.G., Novick A.C., Nephron sparing surgery for renal tumors: Indications, techniques and outcomes, 2001, Journal of Urology, 166, 1, 6, 18 PubMed
Kutikov A, Uzzo RG. The RENAL Nephrometry Score: A comprehensive standardized system for quantitating renal tumor size, location and depth. J Urol, 182(3):844-53, 2009. (cited 401 times) PubMed
Chawla S.N., Crispen P.L., Hanlon A.L., Greenberg R.E., Chen D.Y.T., Uzzo R.G., The natural history of observed enhancing renal masses: Meta-analysis and review of the world literature, 2006, Journal of Urology, 175, 2, 425, 431 PubMed
Kunkle D.A., Egleston B.L., Uzzo R.G., Excise, Ablate or Observe: The Small Renal Mass Dilemma-A Meta-Analysis and Review, 2008, Journal of Urology, 179, 4, 1227, 1234 PubMed
Kunkle D.A., Uzzo R.G., Cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation of the small renal mass: A meta-analysis, 2008, Cancer, 113, 10, 2671, 2680 PubMed
Uzzo R.G., Wei J.T., Waldbaum R.S., Perlmutter A.P., Byrne J.C., Vaughan Jr. D., The influence of prostate size on cancer detection, 1995, Urology, 46, 6, 831, 836 PubMed
Pollack A., Hanlon A.L., Horwitz E.M., Feigenberg S.J., Konski A.A., Movsas B., Greenberg R.E., Uzzo R.G., Ma C.-M.C., McNeeley S.W., Buyyounouski M.K., Price Jr. R.A., Dosimetry and preliminary acute toxicity in the first 100 men treated for prostate cancer on a randomized hypofractionation dose escalation trial, 2006, International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 64, 2, 518, 526 PubMed
Qiao J., Uzzo R., Obara-Ishihara T., Degenstein L., Fuchs E., Herzlinger D., FGF-7 modulates ureteric bud growth and nephron number in the developing kidney, 1999, Development, 126, 3, 547, 554
Lane B.R., Russo P., Uzzo R.G., Hernandez A.V., Boorjian S.A., Thompson R.H., Fergany A.F., Love T.E., Campbell S.C., Comparison of cold and warm ischemia during partial nephrectomy in 660 solitary kidneys reveals predominant role of nonmodifiable factors in determining ultimate renal function, 2011, Journal of Urology, 185, 2, 421, 427 PubMed
Mann S.J., Pickering T.G., Sos T.A., Uzzo R.G., Sarkar S., Friend K., Rackson M.E., Laragh J.H., Captopril renography in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis: accuracy and limitations, 1991, The American Journal of Medicine, 90, 1, 30, 40 PubMed
Dulaimi E., Uzzo R.G., Greenberg R.E., Al-Saleem T., Cairns P., Detection of Bladder Cancer in Urine by a Tumor Suppressor Gene Hypermethylation Panel, 2004, Clinical Cancer Research, 10, 6, 1887, 1893 PubMed
Kunkle D.A., Crispen P.L., Chen D.Y.T., Greenberg R.E., Uzzo R.G., Enhancing Renal Masses With Zero Net Growth During Active Surveillance, 2007, Journal of Urology, 177, 3, 849, 854 PubMed
Touijer K., Jacqmin D., Kavoussi L.R., Montorsi F., Patard J.J., Rogers C.G., Russo P., Uzzo R.G., Van Poppel H., The Expanding Role of Partial Nephrectomy: A Critical Analysis of Indications, Results, and Complications, 2010, European Urology, 57, 2, 214, 222 PubMed
Dr.Uzzo and his team are some of the best that I have ever met. They are concerned about all my medical difficulties. I truly trust him and his team to get me thru these difficult times. They took there time during my appointment and explained everything so I could understand what needs to be done.
Great experience
I am so grateful for this wonderful care. Superior.
I felt very comfortable when I first arrived and left feeling very confident that I came to the right place.
Every visit w/a Fox Chase dr. or dept. has been a 1st class experience (scans, blood work etc.).
Very good first experience. (New patient).
Very good
Great experience in all aspects.
Thorough, clear, all questions answered pleasantly
This was my initial visit and it was a good one.
Explained thoroughly, clearly, answering my question.
Would recommend to anyone having similar issues.
Dr. Uzzo & his team are vivid examples of outstanding health care.
Very good experience.
The whole team is very good!!
I have been treated by Dr. Uzzo and the Urology clinic for the last 8+ years. I have never experienced anything but the best possible service and care, in every respect.
The nurses and staff could not have been any better. I was amazed and felt very cared for and safe. Excellent job. I cannot praise all of you enough.
Dr. Uzzo and the entire staff are amazingly pleasant, helpful and efficient beyond belief. Truly impressed with FCCC thus far and hope this continues through my upcoming surgery.
Dr. Uzzo and staff are just wonderful. They make you feel at ease and have such concern.
Dr. Uzzo, the resident doctor, and Nurse [...] were engaging, encouraging, and knowledgeable - I felt safe and in excellent hands.
Always a reassuring visit with Dr. Uzzo.
Dr Uzzo is clearly a great doctor and he made me and my wife feel very confident in his assessment of my current condition.
What a wonderful care environment; from front desk, through nursing to physician. Appointments made with due consideration, promptly visible on the app. No cause for complaint; many reasons to be grateful at the quality of care & compassion.
Was as pleasant as a doctor appointment could be. Dr. Izzy gave crystal clear explanations of what was happening.
Great healthcare provider, good listener, experienced and very Intelligent, very caring. ,
It was a very good experience and handled with the utmost care of my problem.
Dr Uzzo is awesome and Fox Chase is the best!
Dr. Uzzo and his assistant gave me a priceless education that was informative and right on point making me 100% aware of my condition and what I'm facing with no bs ahead of me. These guys care immensely and it shows. Thank you.
Most caring and compassionate Dr I ever visited. I would recommend Dr Uzzo to everyone I know
What a knowledgeable ands compassionate doctor (Uzzo), and what a comforting team!
My Experience with Dr.Uzzo and staff was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
Good experience
Thank you Dr Uzzo and staff!
Dr. Uzzo and his staff are warm and welcoming. They are so organized and efficient it is a pleasure. Having had kidney cancer it is comforting when the staff is professional and and knows what they are doing. Can't say enough good things about this practice!
Dr. Uzzo is one of the BEST doctors I ever met! He is just outstanding!
I Love Dr UZZO and his staff !!!
Dr. Uzzo and his staff ALWAYS TREAT me with kindness and class.
Very professional, respectful, patient, and compassionate - I felt safe, understood, and genuinely cared for.
[...] He then called me to discuss my test results. He also needed to contact another dr regarding the results and got back to me very quickly. He is the best doctor I've ever been too and he truly cares about his patients. This is the kind of doctor all patients should have access to when they have serious health issues.
Dr. UZZO and his team were excellent!I know that my dad Is In the best hands and he will be OK.Dr. Uzzo gave us detailed action plan and gave us so much confidence in my dad's future. Can't THANK him enough.
Dr. Uzzo impressed me by drawing a picture of my kidneys and explained my problem in detail. He took as much time I need to answer my questions. Dr. Uzzo was personable, friendly and very interested in my case to help me. I grade Dr. Uzzo A+.
Dr Uzzo is the best ever. He was recommended to me by another doctor, and a former patient. He truly respects me & my health in a manner that has made him #1 with me & his profession.
Always feel they have my best interest at heart.
Excellent, excellent doctor
Dr. Uzzo and staff were very nice and explained everything in detail. I was very comfortable having him as my Dr/surgeon.
Good Experience
Overall excellent experience. I have a lots of anxiety time I have to go in for a cystoscope. I have complete confidence in my doctor and I appreciate that he tries to put me at ease during the somewhat uncomfortable procedure. The nurses, too, make the experience so much easier. They are so kind, helpful and supportive, and the front desk people are always very pleasant and efficient.
Good experience.
Dr. Uzzo, his assistants, and the staff at Fox Chase have my highest regards and would receive my top recommendation.
Dr. Uzzo is the best! Definitely credit him for saving my kidney.I am grateful he continues to watch my condition!
Amazing, thorough, and mostly kind and friendly.
Outstanding care from an outstanding team led by an outstanding physician.
Great provider.
As always a wonderful experience.
Great experience made myself & Wife feel much better about my current health status.
Excellent care & service. 5 stars to doctor, nurse & staff.
Keep it as great as it is. I think it is the best. I'm very happy to be associated with Dr. Uzzo, the professional staff, and all members of Fox Chase. Thank you very much. [...]
Broke down the diagnosis as well as options very well
Good experience
Thank you for the opinion as to what we need to do.
Provided input on another issue found during the ultra sound and sent information to my family and specialist doctors.
Very friendly and answered all questions. A+ doctor.
Efficient, prompt, caring and compassionate care
Great Dr. Great staff
Dr Uzzo is patient, knowledgeable, and takes the time to ensure you are getting the best care possible.
excellent experience
Doctor Uzzo and his staff have consistently been professional. Courteous, friendly & caring. He is my opinion, easily the best urologist on the East Coast.
Very good experience
Dr. Uzzo and the staff made me feel at ease during the visit. My anxiety was lessened. Everything was explained to me in terms that I could understand.
Dr. Uzzo & his nurse [...] are great. Also his office staff are kind, thorough, efficient, etc.
Dr. Uzzo knows how to deal with his patients . He knows that we worry and are stressed out waiting for the results and he is direct, to the point, gives you the info right away to relieve your stress right away. Then he proceeds with what he has to do. His patients come first. In regard to r ating Dr. Uzzo. You need to go higher than 10 to be ccurte.
great, safe
Doctor Uzzo is amazing I don't think I'd be alive if it weren't for him I'm grateful for his work ethic an pride he takes in his craft because I've seen doctors just tell you things to get you out of there but Doctor Uzzo treats every patient like as if they were his own family members I was very lucky
I was treated as expected. Each time I had an appointment I was treated with respect,
Have seen Dr. Uzzo many times as a surgical inpatient and outpatient. Am completely satisfied with the care provided by him and his team.
[...] overall a pleasant & comfortable experience.
Dr. Uzzo is very knowledgeable and was able to explain what my options are for prostrate cancer
Dr. Uzzo is an amazing doctor and an amazing, caring individual.
i couldn't get any better care than being Dr.Uzzu patient I new I was in good hands the day we met and after talking to him he made me feel completely confident about the surgery he was going to perform on me he is a great surgeon and a wonderful person
Really went to extreme to help with my needs.
I love the doctor and his staff
My father's personal friend and trusted urologist highly recommended Dr. Uzzo. I went to Dr. Uzzo for a second opinion. My wife and I were not disappointed. Exceptional care from Dr. Uzzo and the staff. Much more thorough and informative. Dr. Uzzo related the information in a way that was readily understandable. The staff was courteous and professional. They went out of there way for me. Thank you.
Extremely pleased with the session
Dr. Uzzo is an excellent physician. He is the BEST!!!