Barbara Burtness, MD

Medical Oncology

Chief, Head and Neck Medical Oncology

Meet other members of the gastrointestinal cancer treatment team.

Meet other members of the head and neck cancer treatment team.

Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497

To make an appointment, call:
215-728-2570.

For general information, call:
1-888-FOX CHASE.
An oncology certified nurse will assist you.

Clinical Expertise:

Pancreatic Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Head and Neck Cancers

Medical Education:

State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1986

Residency:

Internal Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut

Fellowship:

Hematology-Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Certifications:

American Board of Internal Medicine;
Medical Oncology

Professional Societies:

American Society of Clinical Oncology;
American Association for Cancer Research
National Cancer Institute, Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee;
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), Chair, Head and Neck Committee;
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Head and Neck Cancer Guidelines Committee

I chose to enter the field of oncology because I believed I understood the kind of complicated internal medicine you need to take good care of cancer patients. I was fascinated by the biology, and there were tantalizing hints of progress in things like the first positive trial of adjuvant therapy for colon cancer, which was released just as I was making my decision. I wanted to work in a field where I could make a difference by discovering new treatments.

I never dreamed we'd see the kind of progress that has taken place just in the 15 years I've been doing this, or that I'd have the privilege of participating so intimately in the work that has led to these changes. I don't know another person who feels as lucky to do the work she does as I do.

In my practice, I focus on treating patients with gastrointestinal cancers, especially non-colorectal, and head and neck cancers. In the past, these types of cancers have not responded well to treatment, but recently, we've seen genuine advances due to the introduction of biologic agents.