Dr. Lee B. Riley, PhD, FACS and Dr. Roderick Quiros, FACS of St. Luke's Cancer Care Associates have started seeing patients at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale.

Dr. Riley and Dr. Quiros, who are joined by Dr. Darius C. Desai, FACS at St. Luke's Cancer Care Associates, are the region's only team of fellowship-trained surgical oncologists. They focus on breast cancer, colon cancer, thyroid and endocrine cancers, liver and pancreatic cancers, melanoma and sarcoma.St. Luke's surgical oncologists focus on a team approach to care and work closely with a leading team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, regional physicians, oncology nurses and cancer support staff to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatments for the disease."It is vitally important to provide our patients who have cancer with every option available to not only treat the disease, but to offer the best chance for a cure," shared Dr. Riley, who is also the medical director of St. Luke's Cancer Center and chief of surgical oncology for St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network."Our surgical oncologists work in partnership with regional physicians to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care. This is good news because studies show patients who are treated by cancer specialists have better outcomes with improved survivals.""Lee Riley is an accomplished surgical oncologist who is passionate about finding a cure for cancer and has a special interest in cancer and the immune system," said William Crossin, president, St. Luke's Miners."He has been involved in research to develop both a melanoma and a breast cancer vaccine, and he has been instrumental in launching a new program at St. Luke's to evaluate the risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer and the options available to reduce these risks."We are pleased, and fortunate, that Lee and Roderick will be bringing their level of care and expertise to our patients at St. Luke's Miners."Dr. Riley completed fellowships in cancer surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia after completing his training in general surgery.He also was awarded a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in San Antonio.Dr. Quiros completed his fellowship in cancer surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia after completing his residency in general surgery.People interested in setting up an appointment with Drs. Riley or Quiros should contact the practice at (610) 954-2140 and ask for an appointment at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital.