This Fox Chase professor participates in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship.
Learn more about Research Volunteering.
Related Articles
00 / 00
This Fox Chase professor participates in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship.
Learn more about Research Volunteering.
Request an Appointment
Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
Associate Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology
Associate Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Training Program
NCCN, Chair of the Older Adult Oncology Panel
NCCN, Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Panel Member
Esophageal Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Appendix Cancer, Liver, Gall Bladder & Bile Duct Cancer, Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Gastrointestinal cancers; Geriatric Oncology
I specialize in treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancers with various chemotherapies. My goal is to provide each patient with cutting-age therapy for their cancer, and the supportive care necessary for tolerating treatment. I am specifically interested in caring for older adults with gastrointestinal cancers, while focusing on other factors that are not related to their cancer and complicate their care.
Follow on Twitter @efratdotan
My cancer journey began in late 2021 when I began experiencing feelings of sickness, most often after eating. One night in February 2022, however, it became clear food was not the issue.
I’m the kind of guy who can sleep anytime, anywhere, so when the pain in my abdomen got so bad that I couldn’t sleep, I finally told my wife I needed to go to the ER. The doctors there did some testing and scans, but all they found was an infection, so they gave me an IV and antibiotics. After a few days, when I felt better, they sent me home.
I’m an 83-year-old U.S. Navy veteran. I smoked for twenty-odd years until I was 35 years old, which left me with some lingering COPD. Ten years ago I had a heart attack and had a stent put in. So when I received my cancer diagnosis, it crossed my mind that it might be time to go into hospice. But my wife Debbie was already battling breast cancer, and if she could fight, I felt like I could too.
I remember lying on the operating table before surgery, worrying about what was going to happen next. My breast was trying to kill me but it had still been difficult to make the decision to undergo a mastectomy.
Dotan E, Cohen S J. Challenges in the management of stage II colon cancer. Seminars in Oncology Aug 2011; 38(4): 511-20 PubMed
Dotan E, Cohen S J, Alpaugh K, Meropol N J. Circulating tumor cells: evolving evidence and future challenges. The oncologist, November 2009, 14(11): 1070-1082 PubMed Collapse
The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Learn more about our Patient Experience Ratings.
This Fox Chase professor participates in the Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship.
Learn more about Research Volunteering.
Patient comments