Top Docs
Adam Dicker, MD, PhD and Maria Werner-Wasik, MD were recently named two of America's Top Doctors for Cancer by Castle Connolly. Castle Connolly is a healthcare research and information company that strives to guide consumers to America's top doctors and top hospitals.
Jefferson patient talks about his experience with lung cancer in the Courier Post’s In the Shadows
Adam Dicker, MD, PhD discusses new FDA-approved drug that helps to treat brain tumors
Jefferson Radiation Oncologists & Medical Physicist Discuss Horizons in Proton Therapy in Oncology Issues
In the November/December issue of Oncology Issues, Jefferson’s Scot Fisher, DO, Evan Wuthrick, MD, Yan Yu, PhD, MBA and Adam P. Dicker, MD, PhD discuss the state of proton therapy in the United States, including the therapy’s cost, potential benefits, outcomes and reimbursement. While proton therapy continues to gain interest in the U.S. and around the world, the authors cite an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) technical briefing, which states while there is “evidence that demonstrates incremental value of [proton] therapy over conventional proton radiation therapy”, no randomized trials have been conducted to directly compare the outcomes of traditional radiation therapy to the identical proton therapy dose in any pediatric or adult malignancy. To read the full text article from Oncology Issues, click here.
On October 14, 2009, Rani Anne, MD, Associate Professor within the Department of Radiation Oncology, presented at the PA Breast Care Coalition’s Annual Conference in Harrisburg. In her seminar entitled "Understanding Trends in Breast Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: What We Know", she addressed nurses, physicians and patients about the following: current radiation therapy treatments, patient selection for different types of treatment, methods to reduce toxicity during radiation therapy and the devices that are used to treat patients with breast cancer. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is an organization that represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants.
Maria Werner-Wasik, M.D., Appointed Institutional Principal Investigator for the RTOG at Thomas Jefferson University & Hospitals
(PHILADELPHIA) Adam P. Dicker, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals, Inc. and the Chair of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Translational Research Program (TRP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Werner-Wasik, M.D. as the Institutional Principal Investigator for the RTOG at Thomas Jefferson University & Hospitals, Inc. effective August 24, 2009. Dr. Werner-Wasik is Associate Professor and Residency Program Director in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Jefferson.
“I am thrilled that Dr. Werner-Wasik has accepted this responsibility as she is an internationally-renowned radiation oncologist whose areas of focused research include: normal tissue toxicity; radiotherapeutic approaches to lung cancer; implementation of novel radiotherapeutic technologies; radiosurgery/stereotactic radiotherapy; and PET scan applications in lung cancer” said Dr. Dicker.
Dr. Nitin Ohri accepted into the RSNA/AUR/ARRS Introduction to Academic Radiology Program
The program is a 15–18-hour introductory course in research, presented over the course of 4–5 days at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society. The objectives of the Introduction to Research Program are to introduce residents to research in the second year of their residencies, demonstrate the importance of research in diagnostic radiology, illustrate the excitement of research careers, and introduce residents to successful clinical radiology researchers. Topics include: Designing a Research Question, Finding a Mentor, Critical Review of Scientific Literature, Publishing Your Manuscript in Radiology.
Jefferson's Chief Radiation Therapist, Dr. Bernie Garofola, featured in PhilaSRT Advocates for CARE Bill, in the Program: Radiation Therapy issue for Summer 2009 (pg. 11).
Featured in the Media
Dr. Dicker on Prostate Brachytherapy in the Philadelphia Inquirer
(Published: 08-02-2009) Dr. Adam Dicker, Interim Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital served as a reference about brachytherapy, a procedure involving the placement of radioactive seeds that is used to treat patients with prostate cancer.
The Philadelphia Inquirer sourced Dr. Adam Dicker, explaining how the prostate is imaged using ultrasound technology and customized, comprehensive treatment planning determines how many seeds should be used and where they should be placed. View the online image under Seed Implantation.
Media Coverage:
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals Ranked Best in Philadelphia for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in 2009 Survey by U.S. News & World Report
(Published 7-22-2009) U.S. News & World Report this year also named Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals as among the best in the nation in four other specialties – cancer; ear nose & throat; gastrointestinal (digestive) disorders; and respiratory disorders.
Featured in the Media
Health: Brachytherapy Treatment
(Published: 06-22-2009, CBS3) Dr. Adam Dicker, Radiation Oncologist at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson discuess brachytherapy treatment, a treatment only appropriate for certain prostate cancer patients.
Media Coverage:
CBS3
Dr. Merrill Solan's article, Unique Teamwork: The Cancer Center at Riddle, in the Spring 2009 issue of Riddle Matters magazine (pg. 6-7).
Featured in the Media
Jefferson Expert Advises New York Times
(Published: 06-20-2009, New York Times) Dr. Adam Dicker, Professor and Interim Chair of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospitals advised the New York Times on their graphics used in the article entitled Failed Prostate Procedures
at the Philadelphia V.A.
Media Coverage:
New York Times
Jefferson Researchers Show Chemotherapy and Radiation Together Extend Lung Cancer Patients’ Lives
(Published: 11-09-2007) Chemotherapy given at the same time as radiation therapy can help patients with a certain type of
lung cancer live nearly 50 percent longer than they might have otherwise if the same treatment was given differently, according
to an international team’s analysis of several trial results.
Jefferson Oncologists Show Focused Radiation Just as Effective As Surgery in Fighting Rare Nerve Tumor
(Published: 10-30-2007) Specifically aimed, “stereotactic” radiation may be as good as surgery – and in some cases, even better
– in treating benign but potentially devastating brain tumors called non-acoustic schwannomas, according to a study by by
radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital in Philadelphia.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologists to Use Real-Time System to Help Plant “Seeds” Against Prostate Cancer
(Published: 9-20-2007) Radiation oncologists and urologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital in Philadelphia have begun using a real-time system to implant radiation-emitting seeds in prostate cancer
patients. While the system, which is made by Nucletron, a technology company based in The Netherlands, is only being used
for imaging and planning purposes so far, it ultimately will help with the actual placement of the seeds. To date, Jefferson
is the first medical center in the Delaware Valley to begin employing the new system.
Jennersville Regional Hospital Joins Jefferson Cancer Network
(Published: 8-13-2007) Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove, Pa., has joined the Jefferson Cancer Network (JCN), announced
officials from both institutions recently.
New Jefferson Trial to Study Targeted Antiangiogenesis Drug Sutent™ and Radiation Against Cancer
(Published: 6-20-2007)Last year, the drug Sutent™ (sunitinib) made headlines for its effectiveness against kidney and gastrointestinal
cancers. Now, radiation oncologist at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia are hoping to find out if combining
Sutent and radiation will help patients with a wide range of cancers.
Featured in the Media
Jefferson Breast Cancer Experts Live on NBC10
(Published: 10-17-2006, NBC10) Tuesday, NBC 10's HealthWatch team set up a live phone bank from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to address
breast cancer awareness. The phone bank was manned by six leading experts from Jefferson who answered callers' questions.
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Jefferson Radiation Oncologists Among First to Use Cone Beam CT to Improve Treatment Accuracy
(Published: 8-28-2006) While one of the Holy Grails in radiation oncology is to spare as much healthy tissue as possible during
therapy, patients undergoing treatment for weeks at a time physically change. As a result, radiation target sites may shift,
which can be problematic for treatment.
Chromosomal Testing Can Determine Brain Tumor Therapy, Outcomes, Jefferson Radiation Oncologists Find
(Published: 6-30-2006) A trial involving two types of rare, malignant but treatable brain tumors shows that missing portions
of two chromosomes can predict which patients will likely do better with therapy. The results, says senior author Walter J.
Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in
Philadelphia, represents a paradigm shift in treating such tumors, known as gliomas.
Director of Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to Celebrate with Cancer Survivors at Annual Event
(Published: 05-10-2006) Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, will be the keynote
speaker at Kimmel’s seventh annual “Celebration of Life” on May 24, 2006. The event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in
the Bluemle Life Sciences Building, on campus of Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St., Philadelphia.
Featured in the Media
Wrapping Radiation Around Tumors
(Published: 5-8-2006, ABC 7 Chicago) Walter J. Curran, M.D., professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at Jefferson Medical
College of Thomas Jefferson University and clincical director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, discusses Shaped Beam
Surgery, a new type of targeted radiation for hard-to-treat brain tumores.
“We have the ability to define a target, and give a dose to that target with relatively little dose to the surronding structures.
Because this new technology is so precise, people can be treated with radiation a second time. The system not only treats
brain and spinal tumors; it is also being used to treat liver, lung, head and neck and prostate cancers,” said Dr. Curran.
Media Coverage:
ABC 7 Chicago
Timing of Radiation Treatments for Colon Cancer May Need Adjusting, Jefferson Researchers Say
(Published: 4-07-2006) Scientists have unexpectedly discovered that mice with the gene defect that causes colon cancer in
humans can differ from normal mice in how they respond to radiation treatments. The large intestine carrying the gene defect
in mice that received staggered doses of radiation was three to four times more resistant to the radiation than in control
mice.
Jefferson Researchers Discover that Nanoparticle Shows Promise in Reducing Radiation Side Effects
(Published: 4-05-2006) Using transparent zebrafish embryos, researchers at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have
shown that a microscopic nanoparticle can help fend off damage to normal tissue from radiation. The nanoparticle, a soccer
ball-shaped, hollow, carbon-based structure known as a fullerene, acts like an “oxygen sink,” binding to dangerous oxygen
radicals produced by radiation.
Improved detection, better therapies mean higher survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer
(Published: 2-23-2006) On Friday, February 24, 2006, pancreatic cancer experts from around the country will gather at the
Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to discuss the latest in surgery, animal models, clinical trials, treatments and immunotherapy
at this year’s Scientific and Clinical Update on Pancreatic Cancer.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologist Rated Top in Nation by Industry Magazine
(Published: 2-10-2006) Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, was rated first in the nation in a survey by Medical
Imaging, a leading national magazine.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Receives Top Honor from American College of Surgeons
(Published: 2-3-2006) Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia has received a three-year approval with commendation for
its cancer program from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, its highest possible recognition.
Jefferson Radiation Oncologist to Direct Translational Research Program of Leading National Clinical Trials Group
(Published: 1-31-2006) Adam P. Dicker, M.D, Ph.D., associate professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and an internationally respected researcher in the areas of the epidermal
growth factor receptor, nanoparticles, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer, has been appointed the Radiation Therapy Oncology
Group (RTOG) Vice-Chair for Translational Research.
Featured in the Media
Best of the best
(Published: 1-6-2006, Medical Imaging) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia has been ranked among the top ten
hospitals in the United States in the field of radiology by Medical Imaging, a leading national magazine.
The Medical Imaging Industry Top 10 also ranked six Jefferson University Hospital specialists--the only experts in Philadelphia
to be among the honorees. Jefferson University Hospital was ranked third in the nation for radiological services. In addition,
several of Jefferson’s experts were ranked number one in their categories.
Media Coverage:
Medical Imaging
