Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D.

Bank of America Endowed Medical Director, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute ChristianaCare

  • Newark DE

Nicholas J. Petrelli is a nationally recognized expert on cancer.

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3 min

Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. Petrelli is a 1973 graduate of the school. Dr. Petrelli, center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Julius L. Levy, Jr., M.D., past president, Tulane Medical Alumni Association, left, and Lee Hamm, M.D., senior vice president & dean of the School of Medicine, and the James R. Doty Distinguished Professor and Chair, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana. The award recognizes an alumnus of the school who has made significant contributions to the field of medicine and has offered outstanding leadership in the community. Under Petrelli’s leadership at ChristianaCare since 2001, the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has become a national model for multidisciplinary cancer care and a top enroller in U.S. clinical research trials. The Graham Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program and one of only five hybrid academic community cancer centers in the nation. Through the work of the Graham Cancer Center and partnerships with health care providers, community organizations and the state to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Delaware’s cancer mortality rate has dropped twice as fast as the national rate. In addition, the state is outpacing the nation in reducing deaths from a number of cancers. Delaware has gone from number one in cancer mortality 22 years ago to number 17 today. Petrelli has numerous achievements in cancer care and research. He has established several firsts for Delaware, including a multidisciplinary disease center site, the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, a tissue procurement center, an adult genetic counseling program, a statewide high-risk family cancer registry consisting of more than 500,000 individuals and an innovative oncology express unit to provide patients with cancer a way to address urgent care needs without having to go to the emergency department. Among his accomplishments on the national level are the first primary care practice established at a cancer center and the first gene editing research program integrated into a community cancer center. Through a unique research partnership with the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center of The Wistar Institute, he has brought cutting-edge cancer treatments and diagnostics to Delawareans. And in a ground-breaking collaboration among the government, community organizations and the Graham Cancer Center nearly 10 years ago, Delaware ended the disparity between Black and white people for colorectal cancer screenings and mortality, which continues to this day. Petrelli has received numerous awards and has authored 360 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 31 book chapters. He has served on advisory panels of the National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Cancer Society and the Society of Surgical Oncology. He was president of the Society of Surgical Oncology from 2007 to 2008. In 2013 he received the Order of the First State Award, the highest honor in the state, from Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. In 2019 he received the James Tilton award (named for the first U.S. Army Surgeon General) from the Medical Society of Delaware.

Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D.

3 min

Partnership Brings No-Cost Breast Screening and Diagnostics to Income-Eligible Individuals in Delaware

Program addresses disparities in breast cancer between Black and white women ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute is partnering with Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, in an expansion of Komen’s screening and diagnostics program to income-eligible residents of Delaware. Under the program, Delaware women who meet income qualifications will be able to access no-cost breast cancer screening mammograms and necessary diagnostic follow-up tests. Once approved by Susan G. Komen for care, they can select ChristianaCare for services. ChristianaCare is one of 20 health systems nationwide partnering with Susan G. Komen in the program, which seeks to reduce disparities in areas where the breast cancer mortality gap between Black and white women is the greatest. “The Graham Cancer Center is proud of its longstanding partnership with Susan G. Komen to bring breast cancer screenings to our community and to reduce disparities and save lives,” said Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “This new partnership with Komen is an innovative way that we are stronger together as we continue to reduce barriers to care and help more Delaware women access timely breast imaging and treatment,” he said. “The screening and diagnostics program is critical for individuals who may have been putting off their breast cancer screening due to concerns about cost,” said Nora Katurakes, RN, OCN, manager of the Graham Cancer Center’s Community Outreach & Education program. “Early detection saves lives, and cost should not be a barrier to accessing high-quality health care services for anyone in need. This program seeks to achieve health equity for all.” “Early detection saves lives, and cost should not be a barrier to accessing high-quality health care services for anyone in need,” said Nora Katurakes, RN, OCN, manager of Community Outreach and Education According to the Delaware Division of Public Health, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in Delaware, and Black women are disproportionately more affected by breast cancer than white and Hispanic women and have a higher mortality rate. In addition, Black women in Delaware have among the highest incidence rates in the U.S. of triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that is harder to treat and more likely to return. The Komen screening and diagnostics program is a service provided through the Komen Patient Care Center. Last year, Susan G. Komen provided nearly 3,000 screening and diagnostics services. Komen hopes to serve another 3,000 individuals in 2023. To be eligible for the program, individuals must have a current annual household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. For one person that is $43,740. A two-person family must have a $59,160 household income to be eligible. The Tatiana Copeland Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute is one of the few facilities in the region devoted exclusively to breast care, diagnosis and treatment, and was the first center in the state to offer high-definition 3D mammography imaging. About Breast Cancer Screening Screening mammography tests are used to find breast cancer before it causes any warning signs or symptoms. Regular screening tests along with follow-up tests and treatment, if diagnosed, reduce an individual’s chance of dying from breast cancer. Mammography is a test that uses X-rays to create images of the breast. These images are called mammograms. A radiologist trained to read mammograms studies the images and looks for signs of breast cancer. A mammogram may show: No signs of breast cancer. A benign (not cancer) condition or other change that does not suggest cancer. An abnormal finding that needs follow-up tests to rule out cancer. Income eligible people seeking access to a breast cancer screening mammogram or diagnostic service should contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or helpline@komen.org to learn more. Individuals who would like more information about breast cancer screening in Delaware can also call ChristianaCare Community Health Outreach & Education at 302-623-4661.

Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D.

3 min

Cancer Program Earns Reaccreditation From the Commission on Cancer

Report cited zero deficiencies and highlights leadership, innovative programs and strong research program The Commission on Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons, has granted three-year reaccreditation to the cancer program at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, one of the original National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program sites in the U.S. ChristianaCare has received accreditation since 1951. To earn accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. The Commission cited zero deficiencies during its site visit and in its final report. “Earning this prestigious accreditation with no deficiencies cited is a testament to the unparalleled expertise and quality of care our entire team at the Graham Cancer Center provides to our patients and community across the continuum of cancer care,” said Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “Patients in the communities we are privileged to serve can be assured of groundbreaking cancer treatments, innovative technology, state-of-the-art research, prevention, education and the most caring, dedicated team anywhere.” “Innovative programs that address community need” The Graham Cancer Center was recognized in the reaccreditation report for taking a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex group of diseases that requires consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary partnership results in exceptional patient care. In its performance report, the Commission on Cancer praised the Graham Cancer Center’s leadership that has built a “culture of continual process improvement across all areas from prevention, screening, treatment and support for the patient.” It highlighted “innovative programs that address community need,” such as its on-site primary care practice and its Oncology Express Unit, which offers urgent care for patients with advanced disease. The report also stated that the “research trial offerings are a strong point.” Clinical trials test new drugs and combinations of treatments, as well as new techniques using surgery, radiation therapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy and biologics. ChristianaCare is among the national leaders in cancer clinical trials; patient enrollment rates into clinical trials at the Graham Cancer Center are at 29% which is seven times the national average. A national standard for accreditation The Commission on Cancer accreditation program provides the framework for the Graham Cancer Center to improve its quality of patient care through various cancer-related programs that focus on the full spectrum of cancer care including prevention, early diagnosis, cancer staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, life-long follow-up for recurrent disease and end-of-life care. When patients receive care at a Commission on Cancer-accredited facility, they also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatments, genetic counseling and patient-centered services including psycho-social support, a patient navigation process and a survivorship care plan that documents the care each patient receives and seeks to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life. Like all Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities, the Graham Cancer Center maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Database, a joint program of the Commission on Cancer and American Cancer Society. This nationwide oncology outcomes database is the largest clinical disease registry in the world. Data on all types of cancer is tracked and analyzed through the database and used to explore trends in cancer care. Cancer centers, in turn, have access to information derived from this type of data analysis, which is used to create national, regional and state benchmark reports. These reports help facilities with their quality improvement efforts. Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for patients with cancer through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. There are currently more than 1,500 Commission on Cancer-accredited programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that diagnose and treat more than 70% of all patients newly diagnosed with cancer.

Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D.
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Biography

Dr. Nicholas J. Petrelli is a nationally recognized expert on colorectal cancer, joined ChristianaCare as the Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute in August 2001. As medical director, Dr. Petrelli oversees the state’s largest and most technologically advanced cancer program, including cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. Under his leadership the Graham Cancer Center was selected as a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and one of the original 16 NCI Community Cancer Centers Programs (NCCCP).

Dr. Petrelli came to ChristianaCare from one of the nation’s leading NCI Designated Cancer Centers, Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, where he led several clinical trials for a promising form of chemotherapy. He has conducted substantial research into the genetics of colorectal cancer and co-authored more than 300 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals as well as 36 book chapters.

Areas of Expertise

Colorectal Cancer
Cancer Care Management
Cancer Detection
Cancer clinical trials
Surgical Oncology

Education

Tulane University Medical School

MD

1973

University of Notre Dame

BA

1969

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Surgical Oncology Fellowship

1978-1980

Multimedia

Media Appearances

Petrelli receives Tilton Award from Medical Society of Delaware

Dover Post  

2019-10-10

Nicholas J. Petrelli, Bank of America endowed medical director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, received the Tilton Award from the Medical Society of Delaware on Oct. 4.

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Delaware-developed CRISPR cancer therapy edging closer to human testing

Philadelphia Business Journal  

2019-05-06

Dr. Nicholas J. Petrelli, medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at ChristianaCare, said the study — if approved — would put the Wilmington health system in a position to capture a trio of firsts.

“It will be the first lung cancer clinical trial carried out by a gene editing program embedded in a community cancer center,” Petrelli said. “While our Gene Editing Institute has a great deal of translational research experience, this will be its first study to move scientific discovery toward an IND. And, it will also be the first time that we will be investigating technology that was grown organically at the Gene Editing Institute.”...

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ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute takes the next step toward its first investigational drug application for FDA approval to treat lung cancer using CRISPR

BioSpace  

2019-04-30

“This exciting study represents a trio of firsts,” said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., FACS, Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at ChristianaCare. “It will be the first lung cancer clinical trial carried out by a gene editing program embedded in a community cancer center. While our Gene Editing Institute has a great deal of translational research experience, this will be its first study to move scientific discovery toward an IND application. And, it will also be the first time that we will be investigating technology that was grown organically at the Gene Editing Institute.”

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Selected Papers and Publications

High volume pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at an academic community cancer center

American Journal of Surgery, 218(2): 349 -354

Sabesan A, Gough B, Anderson C, Abdel-Misih RZ, Petrelli NJ, Bennett JJ.

2019

Folates as adjuvants to anticancer agents: chemical rationale and mechanism of action

Critical Reviews in Hematology/Oncology, 106: 118-131

Danenberg P, Gustavsson B, Johnston P, Lundberg P, Moser R, Odin E. Peters G, Petrelli N.

2016.

Operative approach to rectal cancer: an anatomical and technical description

Surgical Oncology: 27(2)

Khatri VP, Rodrigues-Bigas MA, Flewell R, Petrelli NJ.

2018

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External Service & Affiliations

  • Annals of Surgical Oncology : Associate Editor
  • Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America : Editor
  • Surgical Oncology : Co-Editor

Selected Honors & Awards

Clinical Research Award

2014
Association of Community Cancer Centers

American Cancer Society Clinical Oncology Fellowship Award

1980

American Cancer Society Clinical Oncology Fellowship Award

1979

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