Chuck's Story

Cancer was the last thing Chuck suspected when in 2018, he developed an ear infection that lingered for several weeks. The 41-year-old father of two turned to an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) who noticed a small bump inside Chuck’s ear canal. A biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Chuck was referred to a specialist at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine in Philadelphia.

“In less than three weeks, we had a plan for surgery to remove my left ear canal and the areas in my head and neck where the cancer spread.” recalls Chuck. “Six weeks after surgery, it was time to talk treatment.”

Treatment with Proton Therapy

Because the cancer was around his salivary glands, ocular nerve, brain, and spine, Chuck’s doctor recommended proton therapy—a highly targeted kind of radiation therapy—along with chemotherapy. Proton therapy uses a proton beam to attack only the cancer and not the healthy tissue surrounding it, and can cause fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy that uses photon energy (X-rays).

In 2018, the closest location where Chuck could receive this groundbreaking treatment was at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. 

“For the next seven weeks our lives centered around traveling to Philadelphia five days a week for my treatment,” says Chuck. “Most days I spent about four hours in the car to receive a 15-minute proton treatment.”

A Cure…and Gratitude

“Penn Medicine cured my cancer and I’m living a wonderful, healthy life, appreciating every day I have with my family,” says Chuck, who remembers reading the announcement about Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health opening a proton therapy center at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute near his Lancaster home.

“I’m so happy for all the families who will benefit from having proton therapy close to their home. Besides getting life-saving treatment, they will receive the gift of time, sparing them trips outside of the area.”

Listen to Chuck’s story…in his own words.