Andres F. Correa, MD

"My story Last year (2022) I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I had noticed some blood in my urine, and the first doctor I talked to told me not to worry about it. Then over the next few weeks it got worse. Then suddenly my urine was red. I immediately went to the local hospital that night. I saw a urologic oncologist. When he told me I had bladder cancer, I told him, “Just take it out.” I wanted it gone. But he told me that removing the bladder is life changing. It’s a major surgery, and you must wear a bag that collects your urine for the rest of your life. You are welcome to get a second opinion. The doctor removed the tumor. He also told me that because of the type of cancer that I had; the bladder should be removed. After consultations with several doctors my wife Anna and I selected Fox Chase Cancer Center. were put in contact with Dr Correa my wife and I were immediately sure he was the right doctor for us. He was kind, compassionate, caring, and explained things in language we could understand. He made us feel very comfortable. Dr Correa’s nurse Jenny came in and explained many things associated with my type of surgery. She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The surgeon Dr Andres F. Correa and oncologist Dr Matthew R. Zibelman at Fox Chase said, “The recurrence rate for bladder cancer is in the 50% plus range”. If you decide to keep your bladder. You will hear stories that someone took a new drug regimen or went through a new procedure and has NED, (no evidence of disease) for many years, but we also see where the tumor has come back and has metastasized and that’s not good. Both doctors recommended removal of the bladder. Dr Zibelman immediately started me on a series of systemic therapies. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial covering six weeks. The doctors were also looking for certain genetic changes in my tumor, it could mean my cancer could be effectively treated with immunotherapy. This was done before my surgery. After the treatment it was found that I was Cancer free. At this point I wanted the Bladder removed. The chances of cancer reoccurring were now 5 to 10 percent. I was content with those odds. Dr Correa performed my radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit. He was willing to create a neobladder for me, but I told him I didn’t want it. When I heard that I might have to catheterize myself, if I got a neobladder, I lost interest in that option. After the surgery, Anna and I were instructed by the ostomy nurses to care for my ostomy while still in the hospital and have the chance to ask questions. Once I settled back at home, the home health care nurses who visited me twice a week cared for me during this critical time. At our follow appointments Dr Correa’s nurse Jenny came in and explained the finer details about the special care that I needed as she removed my 26 staples. No it didn’t hurt a bit. Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Fox Chase that have been able to help me through this disease. One-year post-surgery and cancer free, I don’t feel that my bladder cancer journey has been much of an impediment to the way I want to live my life. Dr Correa, Dr Zibelman and the Fox Chase Medical team are simply outstanding! Nurse Jenny has become a true friend. Thank you all again for everything you have done for me and my family. Sincerely, Anthony Cerami"

"I just wanted to give 5 stars to my husband's amazing Oncologist/Surgeon, Dr. Correa! When my husband was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer last month, I found Fox Chase and we met with Dr. Correa. He was very professional, caring, and made you feel very comfortable. He said he would probably have to take part of his kidney out, but during surgery, he saved his whole kidney and got the tumor/cyst completely out! We can't thank Dr. Correa and his staff enough for how they treated us during his surgery. Even the staff from the registration to the staff in the waiting room were so nice and made you feel at ease while you waited. My husband has never had surgery in his life, and this hospital made him feel comfortable and were genuine from the moment we walked in. Thank you Dr. Correa and to all the staff at Fox Chase!"

"Dr Andres F Correa is a fantastic surgeon and a wonderful human being. I had to have my bladder removed and contacted several well know hospitals in the USA and when we called Fox Chase the connection was fantastic. From the woman who answered our first phone call to the woman who cleaned my hospital room this facility makes you feel welcome. When we explained my situation and were put in contact with Dr Correa my wife and I were immediately sure he was the right doctor for us. He was kind, compassionate, caring and made us feel very comfortable. When an in person appointment was scheduled we showed up at his office and were even more impressed by the way we were treated. We were taken into an exam room and a clinic technician took all my vital signs and asked us questions. Then Dr Correa’s nurse Jenny came in and explained many things associated with my type of surgery. She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Jenny left and another surgeon came in and showed us my CAT scans on the computer and explained the procedure that would be done to remove my bladder. Dr Correa then came into the exam room and just like we felt comfortable when we heard his calm and reassuring voice on the phone we felt even more comfortable when we met him in person. He recapped everything we were told my Jenny and the other surgeon and got into more detail about how the procedure would be done and what to expect during my hospital stay after the surgery and what to expect when I got home. My wife and I were both impressed by his and his staffs thoroughness in discussing my procedure. Dr Correa never once made us feel rushed and was very through in answering our questions and addressing our concerns. After the surgery he came to my room numerous times in addition to other doctors on his staff and It was very reassuring to hear from him that I was progressing well. After my discharge from the hospital I have had two follow up appointments with Dr Correa and his staff at his office facility. He once again amazed my wife and I with the time he spent with us and his staff at these appointments. Always being a caring human being and never making us feel rushed that he had to get to his next patient. We feel very blessed that some power greater than ourselves made this connection between us and Dr Correa. We are very thankful for the great job he did for me. We are also very thankful that as a result of his great work I can get back on track towards a normal life. I would recommend Dr Correa and Fox Chase to anyone. I have had several major health issues in the last fifteen years and I must say Dr Correa and Fox Chase stand heads above the other doctors and facilities I have dealt with. Thank you again for everything you have done for me and my family. Sincerely, Joe Yenason"