Neal S Topham, MD, FACS

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Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19111

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Video: Neal S. Topham, MD, FACS

Neal S Topham, MD, FACS, Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Philadelphia Magazine
Top Doctors 2012
Plastic Surgery

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Dr. Topham's
Patient Stories

Ray Beckler - Colon Cancer Patient Stories, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories
William Buehler - Head and Neck Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories
Patricia Cantwell - Head and Neck Cancer Patient Stories, Osteosarcoma Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories
Carol Hess - Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories
Nicole Holtz - Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Michael Kostic - Head and Neck Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories, Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer Patient Stories
Laura Marblestone - Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Cynthia Post Mitchell - Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Diana Robinson - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories, Stage 0 Breast Cancer (DCIS) Patient Stories
Jill Scheetz - Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories
Sonia Smith - Clinical-Trials Patient Stories, Breast Cancer Patient Stories
Norma Snyder - Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories, Risk Assessment Program Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Risk Assessment Program Patient Stories
Lael Swank - Breast Cancer Patient Stories, Clinical-Trials Patient Stories
Ed Walsh - General Sarcoma Patient Stories
Karen Williams - Head and Neck Cancer Patient Stories, Oral Cancer Patient Stories, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Patient Stories

Restoration Artist:
An Interview with Neal Topham, MD in the Fox Chase Forward (Fall 2010)
Read more »

Surgical Oncology

Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Meet other members of the
breast cancer treatment team
Meet other members of the
head and neck cancer treatment team
Meet other members of the
melanoma treatment team.
Meet other members of the
non-melanoma treatment team

Clinical Expertise:

Reconstructive Microsurgery; , including Free Tissue Transfer (, , , ) Flaps; Head and Neck Reconstruction; Extremity Reconstruction; Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction; Complex Chest Wall Reconstruction; Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Reconstruction; Perineal Reconstruction; Soft Tissue Sarcoma Reconstruction

Certifications:

American Board of Plastic Surgery

During treatment for certain types of cancer, patients may end up with an altered appearance. It may be on their face, ear, breast or an extremity. As a surgeon who specializes in reconstructive microsurgery, I believe in offering comprehensive care for patients, covering the breadth of the imperfections that result from treating breast and head and neck cancers, as well as sarcomas.

I provide all reconstructive options for my patients, rather than a select few. This is especially true for breast cancer, where women are very specific about the results they want. This approach allows each procedure to be tailored to the needs of the patient.

Informing my patients about what they can expect pre- and post-operatively is very important to me. My patients should feel comfortable to ask as many questions as necessary. I believe an informed patient understands the procedure better and can accept his or her limitations easier.

The goals of reconstructive surgery are to provide form and function, especially in patients with sarcoma (who require the use of their extremities) and head and neck cancer. Cosmetic principles are used in aesthetically sensitive areas, such as the face, to minimize scarring, while effectively treating the cancer.

While I cannot fully understand what it is like to have cancer, I know that it is extremely challenging for many patients. Our goal is to provide a supportive atmosphere while caring for patients through this difficult time in their lives.

Medical Education

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 1994

Residencies

General Surgery, Akron Medical Center, Akron, OH;
Plastic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Fellowships

Plastic Surgery Tissue Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH;
Microvascular and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.