About Our Multidisciplinary Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Team
Treatments for most gastrointestinal diseases include chemotherapy, radiation,
surgery, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, either alone or in combination.
Our multidisciplinary team includes physicians who specialize in Gastroenterology,
HPB/Surgical Oncology, Colon & Rectal (CR) surgery and Medical and
Radiation Oncology. In taking a team approach to care, these surgical
oncologists emphasize the comprehensive evaluation of patients with a
close collaboration of multiple specialists including medical oncologists,
radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists,
nurses, pharmacists and social workers work closely with medical oncologists
and radiation oncologists to ensure patients receive the most effective
treatment — whether it involves one or more cancer therapies, given
simultaneously or consecutively. Our surgeons remain at the forefront
of cancer research by participating in numerous national clinical trials
of promising new and experimental cancer treatments that involve surgery.
The Center for Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology team meets every other week to address clinical and research issues relating to all types of GI malignancies. The team discusses treatment and patient care issues to assure that the full spectrum of cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up options are appropriately considered for every patient. By prospectively considering all elements of the patients’ care, each patient is provided an opportunity for multiple second opinions.
About the Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center
The Leon Hess Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACoS CoC) with designation as an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program. ACoS CoC recognizes cancer care programs for their commitment to providing comprehensive high-quality, and multidisciplinary patient-centered care. In addition, because a thorough analysis of the outcomes of diagnosis and treatment is crucial to outstanding care, Monmouth Medical Center offers a cancer registry that analyzes the cancer center’s significant patient volume. The Leon Hess Cancer Center Cancer registry maintains detailed information on each cancer incidence, treatment and outcome.
The Leon Hess Cancer Center centralizes a vast array of services under one roof, making care more convenient, efficient and effective. It features comprehensive multidisciplinary medical services that are led by teams of three major physician specialists whom patients can see all in one visit, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists. Together, these three cancer specialists, in consultation with each patient’s primary care physician, and in conjunction with the hospital’s Cancer Care Management Team, work to create the most appropriate and effective plan of treatment.
Seth Cohen, MD - Medical Oncologist, Monmouth Medical Center
Roy Dressner, DO, FASCRS - Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Monmouth Medical Center
Marisol Pichardo, MD - General and Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Monmouth Medical Center
David Sharon, MD - Medical Director, Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center
Sang Sim, MD - Radiation Oncologist, Monmouth Medical Center
Mitchell Weiss, MD - Chairman, Radiation Oncology, Monmouth Medical Center
Michael Arvanitis, MD & Deanna Tiggs, RN, MS, AOCNS