Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. Founded in 1904, Fox Chase has been a leader in cancer research and treatment, with discoveries including the link between genetics and cancer that earned researchers the Nobel Prize. The center joined Temple Health in 2012, combining academic cancer research with the health system's clinical capabilities.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Fox Chase Cancer Center traces its origins to the American Oncologic Hospital, founded in 1904 as one of the nation's first cancer specialty hospitals. The institution focused exclusively on cancer care and research when cancer was poorly understood and often incurable. The hospital's commitment to cancer specialization continued through the twentieth century as understanding of the disease and treatment options expanded dramatically.[1]
The Institute for Cancer Research, established in 1927, became a leading center for basic cancer research. Scientists at the institute made fundamental discoveries about cell biology, genetics, and cancer mechanisms. This research tradition distinguished Fox Chase from hospitals focused primarily on treatment, creating an institution that combined clinical care with scientific investigation.[1]
The merger of the American Oncologic Hospital and the Institute for Cancer Research in 1974 created Fox Chase Cancer Center, integrating clinical and research missions. The NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Center designation recognized the institution's combined excellence in research, treatment, education, and community outreach. This designation places Fox Chase among approximately fifty centers nationally with similar recognition.[1]
Nobel Prize Research
[edit | edit source]Fox Chase's most celebrated scientific achievement was the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Baruch Blumberg for discovering the Hepatitis B virus and developing a vaccine. Blumberg conducted this work at the Institute for Cancer Research, demonstrating the unexpected connections between infectious disease and cancer research. The hepatitis B vaccine has prevented millions of liver cancer cases worldwide.[1]
Earlier fundamental research by scientists including Peter Nowell and David Hungerford discovered the Philadelphia chromosome—named for the city where it was identified—which causes chronic myeloid leukemia. This discovery, made in 1960, established the genetic basis of cancer and led eventually to targeted therapies that have transformed CML from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition.[1]
Clinical Programs
[edit | edit source]Fox Chase provides comprehensive cancer care including medical oncology, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology. Specialized programs address breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, blood cancers, and other malignancies. Multidisciplinary tumor boards bring specialists together to develop individualized treatment plans. Clinical trials enable patients to access experimental treatments while advancing cancer research.[1]
The center's focus on cancer enables depth of expertise that general hospitals cannot match. Oncologists, surgeons, and radiation therapists specialize in specific cancer types, developing experience from high volumes of similar cases. Support services including genetic counseling, survivorship programs, and palliative care address needs throughout the cancer journey.[1]
Temple Health Integration
[edit | edit source]Fox Chase joined Temple Health in 2012, combining the cancer center's specialized expertise with the health system's broader clinical capabilities and regional reach. The affiliation enabled facility investments, faculty recruitment, and program expansion that independent operation might not have supported. Fox Chase maintains its distinct identity and NCI designation within the Temple system.[1]
The integration extended Fox Chase services to Temple's hospitals throughout the region, bringing cancer expertise to community settings. Patients at Temple hospitals can access Fox Chase protocols and specialists, while Fox Chase draws on Temple's primary care and specialty services for patients with non-cancer needs. This integration model reflects broader trends toward hospital system consolidation.[1]