Pancreatic Tumor

In March of 2008, Anthony Celona was traveling with his wife and father on a 4-lane highway in New Jersey when their car was suddenly sideswiped. This caused the front axle to break and forced their vehicle to careen into oncoming traffic and head-on into a bus. This tragic accident landed the Celonas in the hospital, where Anthony learned that his wife was in critical condition and that his father had died. "At that moment, I couldn't imagine anything worse," shared Anthony.

Automobile Accident Helped Uncover Dangerously Placed Tumor

Doctors performed several tests on Anthony to evaluate the extent of his injuries. A chest MRI revealed that in addition to a broken sternum, there was a growth that was dangerously located between his pancreas and aorta. His doctor's suggestion was to "watch and wait" to see if the tumor progressed. The Celonas were terrified not knowing whether the tumor was cancerous - but well aware of how challenging it would be to remove.

After many months of testing and doctor visits, Anthony and his wife scheduled a consultation with surgeons at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where they met with James C. Watson, MD, a surgical oncologist specializing in treating cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.

"Everybody at Fox Chase was phenomenal."

"Everybody at Fox Chase was phenomenal. They took the time to talk to us," explained Anthony. "The people in admissions took me by the hand and led me to my first appointment with Dr. Watson, who then referred me to his associate, Dr. Gumbs."

Andrew A. Gumbs, MD, suggested a laproscopic biopsy. Dr. Gumbs is one of just a handful of surgeons in the nation who can perform minimally invasive laproscopic surgery in the aortic region. While Anthony was under anesthesia, Dr. Gumbs not only reached the tumor, which turned out to be benign, but as the opportunity presented itself, he removed the mass.

"Fox Chase is worlds apart from other hospitals and Dr. Gumbs is remarkable."

"Fox Chase is worlds apart from other hospitals and Dr. Gumbs is remarkable. He used laproscopic surgery, so I only had to stay one night in the hospital," said Anthony. "I feel terrific. It doesn't even feel as though I had major surgery."

Being an individual whose career was built on percentages and numbers, Anthony figured there was better than a 90 percent chance of waking up with the tumor still intact. Based on what he heard from his other doctors, Anthony figured he had lymphoma or pancreatic cancer. "Since my mom died from pancreatic cancer, I was actually hoping for lymphoma," admitted Anthony. "Can you imagine hoping for cancer? It was crazy."

Anthony was totally surprised when he woke from a biopsy, only to learn the tumor was not only benign but, in fact, it was gone. Admittedly, Anthony started believing that he had a tumor that was most probably inoperable and malignant. Upon learning the good news, he told his family, "This is like a new lease on life. I'm going to be fine."

"Dr. Gumbs removed [the tumor] in the least invasive way."

Anthony is thrilled with his experience at Fox Chase. He said, "If I stayed in New Jersey, my doctors were going to monitor the growth of the tumor. Thankfully I went to Fox Chase, where they not only diagnosed the tumor, but Dr. Gumbs removed it in the least invasive way."

Anthony considers himself one of the luckiest people around. "No doubt cancer is scary - it's unlike any other type of medicine," Anthony shared. "The folks at Fox Chase have some of the most difficult jobs in the world. The emotional and stress level of their patients are enormous. They not only have to deal with the disease, but emotions as well. Still, they are the sweetest, most compassionate and friendly people you'll ever meet."

"People at Fox Chase will drop what they're doing to help you."

Anthony is still amazed when he walks through Fox Chase. He believes it is one of the most upbeat hospitals he has seen. "People at Fox Chase will drop what they're doing to help you. They relieve the tension and make your experience as painless as possible," Anthony added. "They are like family."

Since his surgery, Anthony has returned to work as a consultant in the gaming industry. He is a retired casino executive, but can not get away from the business he loves. Anthony feels that while some people get paid to work, he gets paid to play.

"I'm back in business . . . Thank you Fox Chase!"

"After a year of feeling as though my world was ending, I was given a new start," explained Anthony. "I'm back in business, reconnecting with old clients and starting the next chapter in the rest of my life. Thank you Fox Chase!"

Learn more about minimally invasive surgery for HPB tumors at Fox Chase Cancer Center.