Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

GBMC Oncologist Named To National Cancer Panel

BALTIMORE, Md. –   December 3, 2007 –    Marshall A. Levine, M.D., a medical oncologist at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and a staunch advocate of increased participation in clinical trials, has been appointed to the National Cancer Institute Head and Neck Steering Committee.  Levine, a resident of the Stevenson area in Baltimore County and a physician for three decades, has practiced medical oncology and hematology at GBMC since 1999. 

“I really enjoy the side of medicine where we try to resolve difficult problems and I don’t think there’s anything more satisfying than controlling a tumor that interferes with a patient’s ability to talk, eat, and swallow liquids,” said Dr. Levine.  “I am honored to be appointed to this NCI committee and will work diligently to advocate for patients.”

NCI’s 27-member Head and Neck Steering Committee will be divided into several multidisciplinary task forces, each charged with working on a different aspect of head and neck oncology care, including:  Untreated patients, managing treatment of metastatic and recurrent cancer, rare and infrequent types of tumors, and scientific correlative studies. 

Dr. Levine, who will focus on the initial therapy of previously untreated head and neck patients, said “Sometimes clinical trials end up being duplicative, so it’s essential that we all work together from a national perspective to coordinate trials so the scientific community can gain more knowledge quickly and bring the benefits to patients directly.”

Currently in the United States, only about three percent of cancer patients are enrolled in clinical trials, a figure Dr. Levine would like to see increase significantly.  “This is really the cutting edge of medicine, where we are trying to give the best care possible and at the same time learn what we can to help patients.”  GBMC oncologists are involved with as many as 60 research and treatment clinical trials at any one time through participation in several national cooperative groups, including Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project. 

As a specialist in treating head and neck cancers who has a particular interest in combining patient care, clinical research, and education, Dr. Levine works closely with GBMC’s Milton J. Dance Jr. Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center.  Dr. Levine earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, completed residency training at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, and a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.  He is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine.

 About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Hospice of Baltimore, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 292-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org

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