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Lung Cancer

In March 2008, Jean Minetta was planning to undergo a routine procedure to remove her gallbladder. During pre-admission testing, Jean's world turned upside down when an X-ray detected a large mass on her right lung.

"I have never been so scared in my life."

"I have never been so scared in my life," shared Jean, who quickly learned the mass was cancerous. "I was truly petrified until my cousin, a nurse, told me wonderful things about Fox Chase Cancer Center, which was close enough to my home in New Jersey."

Next, Jean's grown daughters visited the Fox Chase web site. "After reading about Fox Chase, they felt confident it was the best place for me," Jean said. They made an appointment with Abraham "Avi" Lebenthal, MD, a surgical oncologist who specializes in minimally invasive procedures for thoracic cancers.

"Dr. Lebenthal is the most wonderful man."

Upon meeting Jean, Dr. Lebenthal told her, "Jean, everything is going to be fine." He continued by explaining her treatment plan, step by step. "After that, I really calmed down," Jean recalled. "Dr. Lebenthal is the most wonderful man. He was so thorough and didn't leave anything to chance."

Although Jean was extremely nervous, her daughters told her, "No matter what you have to go through, you have to do it for us." That was just the motivation Jean needed to stay strong during treatment.

Jean's first step was a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery. Because Jean lives in Central New Jersey, Dr. Lebenthal arranged for her to undergo chemotherapy and radiation close to home at Community Medical Center, a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner hospital.

"It was so convenient having daily treatments near my home."

"It was so convenient having daily treatments near my home," said Jean, whose husband is unable to drive. "I really depended on the support of my sister and close friends. And to top it off, I had the comfort of knowing Dr. Lebenthal was monitoring my progress."

After her treatment was completed, Jean returned to Dr. Lebenthal for a check-up. He told Jean, "Now is the time to operate." Her surgery was scheduled just a few days later. Jean took a leave from her job at the Essex County Correctional Facility and checked into Fox Chase.

The surgery was successful and Jean was up and walking later that day. Dr. Lebenthal is a big believer in mobilization of patients quickly after surgery. He and his colleague, Walter Scott, MD, encourage the use of a thoracic walker, designed specifically for thoracic cancer patients after surgery.

"The thoracic walker has benefited patients, including Jean, in a variety of ways."

"The thoracic walker has benefited patients, including Jean, in a variety of ways," explained Dr. Lebenthal. The walkers are adjusted to the patient's height and can accommodate feeding tubes, intravenous lines and tethers to ventilators.

"My life was in [Fox Chase's] hands — and they saved it."

"I would recommend Fox Chase to anybody. It is truly a wonderful hospital," said Jean. "I feel the hospital will take care of me for the rest of my life. My life was in their hands — and they saved it."

Just 3 months after major lung surgery, Jean returned to work. "No one could believe I was back so fast and feeling so good. I consider myself a lucky woman. Partly because my tumor was found by accident, partly because the tumor did not spread, but mostly because Dr. Lebenthal took such good care of me."

Learn more about lung cancer treatment at Fox Chase Cancer Center.