Paula D Ryan, MD, PhD

As a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer my goal is to provide each patient with individualized, compassionate, state of the art care.  Prior to joining the Women’s Cancer Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center I practiced for ten years in the breast oncology group at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, specializing in the care of breast malignancies and the clinical management of patients with specific inherited gene mutations, which place them at high risk for cancer.

I treat patients with all stages of breast cancer, with a focus on the management of patients with breast cancers that are locally advanced and metastatic.  I have a particular interest in coordinating the management of patients with complex care.  I feel the best care for patients with breast cancer is achieved with a multidisciplinary team that works together to develop an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan conducted in a supportive environment for our patients and their loved ones.  The Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase provides the ideal environment to achieve this goal—bringing together expert faculty in one central location to provide not only the best clinical care but also cutting edge research in women’s cancers.

I am also devoted to clinical research in breast cancer and in particular the development of novel treatment strategies and agents for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.  There is an exciting collection of new drugs that target specific genetic abnormalities and I am leading several multi-center clinical trials that offer the hope of improving the outcome of women with breast cancer. I also have extensive experience with treating patients with preoperative therapy in close collaboration with surgical colleagues to reduce the need for mastectomy.

I feel it is a privilege care for patients with cancer and I am very excited to join the Fox Chase Cancer Center and continue my commitment to clinical care and research in breast cancer. 

Video

Introductory Video of Dr. Ryan

Medical Oncology
Attending Physician

Meet other members of the
breast cancer team.

New patients can request an appointment online or call the
Women's Cancer Center
at 215-728-3001.

Clinical Expertise:

Breast Cancer, locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer, inherited predisposition to breast cancer

Medical Education:

MD, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, NY, 1994;
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 1990

Residency:

Chief Resident, Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 7/1997-6/1998;
Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 7/1994-6/1997

Fellowship:

Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 7/1998-6/2000

Certifications:

American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

Professional Societies:

American Society of Clinical Oncology
Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)

Awards and Honors

Leadership Development for Physicians and Scientists, Harvard Medical
School, 2006;
Edna L. Alizio Cancer Research Achiever’s Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2003;
John and Carol Barry Cancer Research Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2001

Research Interests:

Novel targeted therapies, endocrine-resistant breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer

Publications

Recent Publications