2007
Trial Supports Use of Marker to Predict How Pancreatic Cancer Patients Do After Surgery, Jefferson Surgeon Finds
(Published 6-22-2007) A team of researchers, led by surgeons at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, has
found further evidence supporting the ability of a protein to predict how well a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer will
do after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The levels of the protein CA 19-9 in the blood can be used to determine the
need for further therapy, they say.
Jefferson Scientist Awarded Prestigious ACS Grant to Study Use of Blood Pressure Drugs Against Cancer
(Published 6-6-2007) In 2006, researcher Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., reported that common blood pressure medications might
help block the spread of pancreatic cancer. Now, Dr. Arafat, assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College of
Thomas Jefferson University and at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, has been awarded a prestigious Research
Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to continue that work.
Pancreatic Surgery Riskier for Obese Patients, Jefferson Surgeon Finds
(Published 5-30-2007) Obesity may contribute to a greater likelihood of post-operative complications for patients having
pancreatic surgery, a surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has found.
Congratulations to Our 'Top Doctors'
Three Jefferson Surgeons are featured in the May 2007 Issue of Philadelphia Magazine's annual listing of "Top Docs":
Jefferson Vascular Surgeon Joseph V. Lombardi, M.D. Honored by Associazione Regionale Siciliana for Medical Accomplishments
as Italian American
(Published 4-26-2007) Vascular Surgeon Joseph V. Lombardi, M.D., Founder and Director of the new Aortic Center at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital, was recently honored by the Associazione Regionale Siciliana of the Delaware Valley at their
15th annual dinner dance for his accomplishments in the field of vascular surgery.
Surgeons at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are First in Pennsylvania to Implant Jarvik 2000 Heart Assist System in Heart
Failure Patient
(Published 3-23-2007) On Monday morning, March 19, cardiac surgeons Scott Silvestry, M.D. and Linda Bogar, M.D. at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital opened the chest of a 55-year-old man suffering from chronic heart failure and implanted a Jarvik
2000 Heart Assist System to save his life. The Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant team at Jefferson University
Hospital is the first in the state to implant the new device.
PA Breast Cancer Coalition to Give Awards to Scientists at Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
(Published 3-22-2007) The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) will recognize three researchers from the Kimmel Cancer
Center at Jefferson who have been selected to receive grants through the Income Tax Check-Off for breast cancer research.
Chemotherapy Resistance Testing Needs to Be Studied, Jefferson Lung Cancer Surgeon Contends
(Published 3-16-2007) A study led by a lung cancer surgeon at Jefferson Medical College suggests that oncologists should take
more advantage of laboratory tests that have the potential to help determine a lung cancer patient’s resistance to chemotherapy
drugs. All too often, patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are given standard chemotherapy drugs after surgery
in a “hit or miss” fashion, without doctors knowing which drugs might have better chances than others to help treat the tumor.
Steps should be taken to validate such resistance tests in clinical trials.
Maurizio Iaria, MD, Clinical Fellow in the Division of Transplant Surgery was awarded the Young Investigator Award at the 2006 World Transplant Congress held in Boston, MA. The award was granted
for his abstract, Zero Antigen Mismatched Cadaveric Kidney Grafts in Diabetics Lack the Survival Advantage Seen In Nondiabetics.
Dr. Iaria and Adam Frank, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Transplant Surgery, performed an extensive analysis of the UNOS database of kidney
and kidney/pancreas transplants performed between 1992 and 2003 in the United States.The study showed that zero-mismatched
grafts have no significant survival advantage in diabetics, especially in Type 1 diabetics. The authors suggest that different
allocation strategies should be considered for diabetics rather than obligatory national sharing of zero-mismatched kidneys.
New Aortic Center at Jefferson Provides Most Advanced Technologies for Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms
(Published 1-23-2007) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has opened a new center that will provide patients access to the
most advanced technologies available in the treatment of aortic aneurysms, dissections and other maladies anywhere in the
body.
Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Five-Year Survivors 65 and Up Live Nearly as Long As Anyone
(Published 1-5-2007) A new study shows that pancreatic cancer patients 65 or older who live at least five years after surgery
have nearly as good a chance as anyone else to live another five years.
Jefferson to Re-Broadcast Breast Reconstruction Surgical Webcast for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
(Published 10-2-2007) As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is re-airing
its webcast on one of the most often performed breast reconstruction surgical procedures, using muscle tissue from a patient's
back. The webcast, featuring Jefferson breast cancer surgeons performing immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy,
can be seen at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, at www.jeffersonhospital.org/webcast
Whipple Webcast at Jefferson Highlights Innovative Surgical Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
(Published 8-27-2007) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital this will host a webcast featuring a mini-Whipple procedure (pylorus
preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy) used to treat pancreatic cancer. The webcast, which will feature an actual procedure and
panel discussion by the Jefferson Pancreatic Cancer and Related Diseases Team, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September
18, at www.JeffersonHospital.org/webcast.
Jefferson Scientist’s Patent Dramatically Improves DNA Analysis
(Published 7-16-2007) A basic scientist in the Department of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College and the Kimmel Cancer Center
at Jefferson has shared a patent on what may someday be a ubiquitous tool in DNA analysis. The discovery could have a range
of applications, from forensics to cloning to bioterrorism.
Jefferson Surgery Chair Co-Authors Pancreatic Cancer Guide for Patients and Caregivers
(Published 10-4-2007) A new guide on pancreatic cancer, co-authored by the chair of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital, offers a better understanding to patients and caregivers of the unique challenges associated with a diagnosis of
pancreatic cancer.
