2006
Jefferson Chair of Surgery Honored by Hellenic Medical Society of New York
(Published 12-21-2006) Charles J. Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College
of Thomas Jefferson University, recently received the 2006 Distinguished Physician Award from the Hellenic Medical Society
of New York.
Jefferson Chair of Surgery’s Latest Book Considered Essential Medical Reference
(Published 12-14-2006) Charles J.Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of
Thomas Jefferson University, has authored the latest (sixth) edition of Shackelford’s Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, considered
to be an essential reference for general surgeons, surgical residents and gastroenterologists, with a special focus on alimentary
tract diseases.
Featured in the Media
Fat tissue of older adults appears to be good source for stem cells
(Published 12-18-06, Forbes.com) A group of researchers found that the fat tissue of older adults appears to be a good source
for stem cells.
"A major problem with any type of cell for tissue engineering is you want to get a reliable source of cells," said Dr. Paul
DiMuzio, an assistant professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. "They can be used from bone marrow
but this source tends to decrease with age, making it a limited source of cells in the exact population you need the cells
for."
Media Coverage:
Forbes.com
Doctor's Guide
Pancreatic Cancer Researcher Jonathan Robert Brody, Ph.D., Joins Surgery Department at Jefferson
(Published 12-11-2006) Pancreatic cancer researcher Jonathan Robert Brody, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Surgery at
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University as assistant professor of surgery.
Blood Pressure Drugs Could Help Halt Pancreatic Cancer Spread, Jefferson Researchers Find
(Published 12-8-2006) Common blood pressure medications might help block the spread of pancreatic cancer, researchers at
the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found. The scientists showed in laboratory studies
that two types of pressure-lowering drugs – ACE inhibitors and AT1R blockers – may help reduce the development of tumor-feeding
blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Such drugs, they say, may become part of a novel strategy to control the growth
and spread of cancer.
Francis E. Rosato, 72, pioneering Jefferson surgeon and teacher
(Published 10-24-06, Philadelphia Inquirer) Francis E. Rosato, 72, chairman of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
who performed the region's first liver transplant in 1984, died of blood cancer Wednesday at home in Gladwyne.
"Known as a surgeon's surgeon, Frank was revered by the more than 300 surgeons he trained. They often asked his advice in
difficult surgical procedures years after leaving Jefferson," said James W. Fox IV, professor and chief of reconstructive
surgery at Jefferson.
Department of Surgery - Remembering Dr. Rosato
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
(Published 10-17-06) There is new concerns about a form of cancer very few people have ever heard of: inflammatory breast
cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't usually have a lump that we're used to seeing. It's findings are so subtle on a
mammogram it may be difficult to see. Jefferson Breast surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., says this cancer involves the lymphatic
system.
"The cancer cells are involving the lymphatics of the skin of the breast. And this causes the skin to look different," Rosenberg
says.
Department of Surgery
BreastCARE at Jefferson
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Breast Cancer And Inflammatory Breast Cancer Updates
(Published 10-17-06) There is new concerns about a form of cancer very few people have ever heard of: inflammatory breast
cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't usually have a lump like this that we're used to seeing. It's findings are so subtle on
a mammogram it may be difficult to see. Jefferson Breast surgeon Anne Rosenberg, M.D., says this cancer involves the lymphatic
system.
"The cancer cells are involving the lymphatics of the skin of the breast. And this causes the skin to look different," Rosenberg
says.
CancerCARE at Jefferson
Featured in the Media
Study: Cancer Risk Not Higher For Women With Breast Implants
(Published 7-19-06, NBC10) More women are getting breast implants for cosmetic reasons and many women are worried about breast
cancer.
Statistics show there has been a 460 percent increase in breast augmentation in the last nine years. But new research out
of a local university hospital found that women with implants do not need to worry that their implants will increase their
risk of getting cancer.
Many women with breast augmentation or implants worry about breast cancer, but a new study from Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital had several reassuring findings.
Study co-author Kristin Brill, MD, a Jefferson breast surgeon, says women with implants who get breast cancer no longer need
to assume they'll need a mastectomy.
"Now women who've had implants who develop a breast cancer may be candidates for lumpectomy with radiation and do very well
with that procedure."
Media Coverage:
NBC10
CBS3
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Can Help Those Over 80, Jefferson Surgeons Find
(Published 6-7-06) Age doesn't necessarily have to be the deciding factor for cancer surgery, Jefferson Medical College surgeons
have found. Pancreatic cancer surgeon Charles J. Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and chair of surgery at Jefferson Medical
College of Thomas Jefferson University and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer
Center, and his colleagues studied records of pancreatic surgery during the last 35 years at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
and found that contrary to what many both in and out of medicine may believe, major pancreatic cancer surgery can successfully
be performed on patients in their 80s, 90s and even older.
Congratulations to Our 'Top Doctors'
Five Jefferson Surgeons are featured in the May Issue of Philadelphia Magazine's annual listing of "Top Docs":
- R. Anthony Carabasi, MD, Vascular Surgery
- Murray J. Cohen, MD, Trauma & Critical Care Surgery
- James T. Diehl, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgery
- John H. Moore, MD, Plastic Surgery
- Gordon F, Schwartz, MD, Breast Surgery
Director of Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to Celebrate with Cancer Survivors at Annual Event
(Published 5-10-06) 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 the campus of Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th St., Philadelphia.
Debut of Surgical Solutions Newsletter
(5-08-06) The first issue of the Department of Surgery newsletter, Surgical Solutions, will soon be arriving in mailboxes, hospital waiting areas and on the Web.
The quarterly newsletter will highlight patient stories, clinical applications of ongoing research, recent additions to the
faculty and staff, donations from patients and families, and more.
Featured in the Media
Dynasty Divas
(Published 5-2-06, CBS3) After Dynasty diva's, Linda Evans and Joan Collins, were reunited Tuesday night, Medical Reporter
Stephanie Stahl talked with the experts to see how they stood the test of time and whether or not they have had plastic surgery.
Linda Evans, who's now 64, admitted to Entertainment Tonight she has had more plastic surgery.
“I love it, I love plastic surgery,” she said.
But without giving specifics, Evans says there were mistakes that had to be corrected.
“She looks different, some of which is probably a natural aging process, some of it surgery,” said Dr. Steven Copit, a plastic
surgeon at Jefferson University Hospital.
Dr. Copit says Evans has probably had a full face lift and lip augmentation.
Department of Surgery
Media Coverage:
CBS3
Featured in the Media
Breast Cancer Patients Might Not Always Need Lymph Nodes Removed
(Published 2-28-06, NBC10) There are advances in breast cancer treatment that are leaving women whole.
In the past, women with breast cancer worried whether they would need a lumpectomy or mastectomy. A lumpectomy is surgery
to take out a lump. A mastectomy removes the entire breast.
These days, when breast cancer is found early with mammograms, many breasts can be spared. In fact, doctors are even able
to save more women from surgery to remove the lymph nodes under their arms. That kind of surgery can lead to some very difficult
complications.
"If the sentinel node can be found and if it is negative, it spares women from having the rest of the axillary nodes removed
-- the nodes under the arm. If the nodes were not removed, it would be very rare for patients to get a fat arm, known as lymphedema
or increased likelihood of infection of the arm," said Dr. Gordon Schwartz, a breast surgeon at Jefferson University Hospital.
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Improved detection, better therapies mean higher survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer
Jefferson Conference Feb. 24, 2006 Highlights Latest Treatments, Clinical Trials, Vaccine Research
(Published 2-23-06) 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.
Featured in the Media
Man Gives Stranger Valentine's Gift Of Kidney
(Published 2-14-06, NBC10) A man from Philadelphia wins the prize for giving the most loving gift on Valentine's Day.
Paul Wagner gave one of his kidneys to a total stranger. Wagner just happened to read about Gail Tomas, who needed a kidney,
on MatchingDonors.com. The surgery took place on Valentine's Day at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and you can read
all about it in stories below on NBC10, 6ABC, MSNBC and in the Philadelphia Daily News.
Media Coverage:
NBC10
Philadelphia Daily News
Featured in the Media
Valentine's Day Organ donation at Jefferson
(Published 2-14-06, Philadelphia Daily News) Is it fair for donors to choose who gets their organs, when thousands of other
potential recipients, who might be in more dire need, languish on waiting lists? On the other hand, given their sacrifice,
who would deny donors a say in who they save?
I'm thinking specifically of Paul Wagner, 40, who today will donate one of his kidneys to Gail Tomas, 67, at Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital.
Wagner met Tomas in December through www.matchingdonors.com, a nonprofit Web site matching potential organ donors with recipients. Wagner logged on out of curiosity. He found a posting
for Tomas, who's been on dialysis for 18 months.
Media Coverage:
Philadelphia Daily News
Jefferson Vascular Surgeon Creating a New Blood Vessel Bypass
Results of Research Could Help Thousands
(Published 2-13-06) Vascular surgeons at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia are developing a novel vascular bypass
graft that has the potential of helping thousands of patients, including those suffering with atherosclerosis, a common condition
known as “hardening of the arteries.”
Surgical Oncologist Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., Joins Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(Published 1-23-06) Surgical oncologist Eugene P. Kennedy, M.D., has joined the Department of Surgery of Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital, Philadelphia. He has also been named assistant professor of surgery, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas
Jefferson University.
