Abraham "Avi" Lebenthal, MD, MHA

Over the years, I have enjoyed taking "the path less traveled." Life is a journey and every step prepares you for the next. For me, this journey has lead to practicing medicine as a thoracic surgeon.

I came to Fox Chase Cancer Center in 2008 from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. I joined Fox Chase because it has a proven track record as a leading cancer center. Fox Chase has a great thoracic oncology program with world-renowned specialists. In addition, I believe there is a need for advanced and innovative thoracic surgery in Philadelphia, and Fox Chase is a great place to provide this.

In my practice, I see patients with diseases of the gastro-esophageal junction, esophageal cancer, lung cancer and mesothelioma. I have advanced training in minimally invasive surgery for cancers of the lung and esophagus. My expertise includes the full spectrum of procedures such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), advanced laparoscopy, endoluminal diagnostics and therapeutic endoscopy techniques, including bronchoscopy, laser therapy, photo-dynamic therapy and stenting.

I believe a good physician needs to be able to read people quickly and understand the right solution. To me, excellence in modern medicine is about doing things for and not to our patients, about knowing how to tailor a solution for the individual patient.

The most rewarding part of my job, simply, is helping people. As a doctor, my duty is to help my patients do the most with what they've got. In every situation, it's different. Sometimes, that means curing someone's cancer; sometimes it is prolonging someone's life and giving them a better quality of life. In every case, I try to navigate my patients through difficult waters to get them to their best tomorrow.

My experience as a physician includes 13 years of service in the Israeli army. I held a variety of posts, including active duty as a battalion physician and platoon commander in an elite infantry unit. I received a Letter of Distinction for Bravery for treating and evacuating critically injured soldiers under fire. I finished my service as company commander and a major in the reserves in an elite paratrooper brigade, where I commanded the medical company. My experience in the military taught me that anything is possible. In addition, my training at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School taught me that 'you are only limited by the expectations of your mind.' These are sentiments I like to share with my patients. Always hold on to hope.

Video

Introductory Video of Dr. Lebenthal

Department of Surgical Oncology
Division of Thoracic Oncology

Meet other members of the lung cancer treatment team.

Meet other members of the gastrointestinal 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

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Thoracic Malignancies, including Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer; Endoluminal Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Diseases of the Gastro-Esophageal Junction; Esophageal Cancer; Mesothelioma

Medical Education

Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel, 1993;

Master's of Health Administration, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, 2003

Residency:

Hadassah Ein-Karem, Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
(Included one year as senior resident at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, N.Y.)

Fellowships:

Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.;

Minimally Invasive Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

Certification:

Israel Board of Surgery

Professional Societies:

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES);
American Medical Association;
Israeli Surgical Society

Research Interests:

Diseases of the Gastro-Esophageal Junction; Esophageal Cancer; Lung Cancer; Mesothelioma