Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Radiation Oncology
Medical Director, Clinical Research
| Radiation Oncology |
I joined Fox Chase after completing my residency at the University of Florida in 2010. I specialize in treating cancers of the head and neck and skin cancer.
Cancer is a complicated, confusing diagnosis. Cancers of the head and neck are particularly challenging because they occur in areas that can affect our ability to perform some of our most basic functions: breathing, speaking, and eating.
I came to Fox Chase because I believe that the best way to cure these difficult cancers while maintaining quality of life is through a multi-disciplinary approach. Some cancers are cured with radiation alone, some need the assistance of both surgery and chemotherapy, and some are cured without radiation. The team approach at Fox Chase ensures that many different disciplines are working together to decide the best treatment for your unique case with one unifying goal: curing your cancer while avoiding unnecessary toxicity
In 2011, when my first son was not quite a year old, I had a small dysplasia, which is a precancerous lesion, on my tongue. Dr. Jeffrey Liu, a surgical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center, did the surgery to remove it. Everything went really well.
Twelve years ago, when I was 59 years old, I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the tongue. I had some pain on the left side of my tongue, and I unfortunately ignored it. I thought it would go away. Eventually, I got it looked at and it turned out to be cancer. That’s how I began my journey at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
A few days before leaving on my vacation in August, 2017, I noticed a loose tooth. My biggest worry was that maybe I had an abscess and it would ruin my trip.
When I got home, my dentist said I should have it pulled, so I went to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon said, “I see something, so I’m going to do a biopsy.” I kind of knew right then that I had cancer.
I tell people if you are going on this journey, you should not compare yourself to anyone else. Every cancer is different, and every person’s situation is different.
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