While chemotherapy and radiation are valuable treatments, surgery is especially crucial to cure lung cancer. And, VATS lobectomy, while every bit as effective as traditional, open thoracotomy in curing the disease, is also a safer and less traumatic alternative for patients, resulting in less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries. The entire procedure takes only two hours. Patients can then resume and enjoy the normal activities they did prior to the onset of lung cancer.

Given the sophisticated nature of the procedure, when patients are looking for a doctor, it is important that they look for experience. Benny Weksler, MD , a board-certified thoracic surgeon has successfully performed this procedure on more than 120 patients in the past two years.

VATS lobectomy is the centerpiece of the multidisciplinary program for lung cancer available at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. Dr. Weksler, in collaboration with radiation oncologist Maria Werner Wasik, MD , medical oncologist Rita Axelrod, MD , and pulmonary specialist Gregory Kane, MD are dedicated to keeping patients and their loved ones informed and at ease as they are guided with courtesy and compassion through a comprehensive critical pathway of quality care.

For more information on minimally invasive surgery visit our web site . To schedule an appointment call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or fill out our online appointment request form.

Gerald Williams, MD, is a shoulder specialist. His areas of expertise include shoulder replacement, shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair and shoulder dislocations, among other areas. He completed medical school at Temple University and a fellowship in shoulder reconstruction at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Dr. Williams is an active participant in major orthopedic societies and has held positions on the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Board of Directors and with the Philadelphia Orthopedic Society. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications – including the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Dr. Williams sees patients at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson’s Center City and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, locations. Here, he answers a patient’s question about rotator cuff injury.

Question: I belong to a tennis club and lately, it seems that everyone complains about a rotator cuff injury. Is that commonplace?

Answer: The rotator cuff consists of tendons and muscles that work together to hold the shoulder in place. It allows you to lift your arms and reach up. The rotator cuff may be damaged from a fall or other injury to the shoulder or damage may occur slowly over time from repetitive movement or overuse of the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears are also due to aging. A rotator cuff tear is manifested by shoulder pain that is worse with overhead activity. Symptoms include recurrent pain, limited ability to move the arm, and muscle weakness.

The Program Will Provide Personal Guide to Help Local Cancer Patients Better Navigate Their Cancer Experience Thanks to Support from AstraZeneca

The American Cancer Society today launched its Patient Navigator Program at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia, thanks to support received from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP . This is the first site to launch in Pennsylvania as part of a strategic nationwide effort to significantly extend the reach of this innovative program and assist individual cancer patients in negotiating the health care system.

“A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for patients, their families and their caregivers,” said Garry Pincock, CEO, American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Division. “Our patient navigator is able to provide support every step of the way, from explaining what to expect with chemotherapy, to making sure patients have transportation to and from appointments. Fighting cancer is a difficult, challenging journey; but with the help of trained American Cancer Society patient navigators, people don’t have to go through it alone.”

A new study has found that medication labels on children’s over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicine can be confusing to parents.

According to the study researchers, language that is easy to read with clearer graphics is necessary to guide the selection and safe use of the medications. At present, they say, it can be difficult for caregivers to understand age indications of over-the-counter pediatric cold and cough products.

In 2007, drug makers removed several OTC cold and cough medications from supermarkets and drugstores in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendation not to use OTC cough and cold medications in children younger than two years old. For products that remained on shelves, pharmaceutical companies changed labels to reflect this recommendation, as well.

This recent study suggests there’s more work to be done regarding the effectiveness of labeling on OTC drugs for kids – and the effectiveness of the medications, too.

Acupuncture is the practice of puncturing the skin with needles at certain anatomical points in the body to relieve specific symptoms associated with many diseases. The practice originated in China more than 2,500 years ago but started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1970s.

A recent study suggests that acupuncture helps relieve lower back pain – and that’s true whether or not the skin is pierced. The randomized trial – which compared acupuncture, simulated acupuncture and usual care for low back pain – is the largest research study of its kind.

A total of 638 patients with chronic mechanical low back pain were enrolled in this study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Research participants were randomized to one of four treatment groups – individualized acupuncture, standardized acupuncture, simulated acupuncture (non-penetrating) or “usual care.” Each participant was given a questionnaire to rate their symptoms and dysfunction, as well as 10 treatments by an experienced acupuncturist for seven weeks.

At eight weeks, dysfunction and symptom scores improved equally among the three acupuncture treatment groups. Also, medication use decreased immediately and over the next year.