Overview

Welcome to Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute

Intellect and discovery characterize growth at the  Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. We continue to emphasize our state-of-the-art interdisciplinary patient care, in which medical, surgical and radiation oncologists jointly determine the best therapeutic course for each patient. We also focus our attention on becoming designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  Among other strengths,  the Cancer Institute’s emphasis on rural, underserved populations is a focus of the CCSG application.  Many of these efforts are conducted through the Appalachian Cancer Network by volunteers throughout Pennsylvania who provide education and screening services, as well as behavioral interventions, to reduce cancer risk.  The addition of a new cancer facility which opened in June of 2009 will further enable the integration of our research and clinical care. Clinical floors will house radiation oncology and multidisciplinary medical and surgical oncology. Clinic space will include an infusion area and exam rooms on both the first and second floors.  There will also be significant laboratory space to accommodate continued recruitment of cancer investigators. The design of the building reinforces our concept of a community of individuals devoted to providing comprehensive cancer care and finding a cure for cancer.

The past year has seen significant development in the Cancer Institute’s four scientific programs: Cancer Virology and Immunology, Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention, Cancer Control and Population Health, and Experimental Therapeutics. The scientists in the Cancer Control and Population Health and the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Programs continue collaborative work on two major grants examining the role of tobacco in leading to cancer. In the Experimental Therapeutics Program, our scientists have been awarded several grants from NCI in the area of nanotechnology.  These projects, developed with leading researchers at University Park, are aimed at delivering new cancer treatments to individual cancer cells.  Through our network of local hospitals throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute brings research to patients in a growing number of communities. Founding members of the network include Carlisle Regional Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health System, Allentown, and Mount Nittany Hospital and Health System, State College. Affiliates include Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown; Wyoming Valley Health System, Wilkes-Barre; and Susquehanna Health System, Williamsport.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. Loughran, Jr., M.D.
Director, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute