Translating Innovative Science into Compassionate, Patient-Centric Care
Saint John’s Cancer Institute is renowned for advancing therapeutics, translational science, and establishing standards of care. We foster robust fellowship programs, implement and initiate clinical trials, and collaborate with academic and industry partners worldwide.
Read MoreInnovation Starts Here
Saint John’s Cancer Institute (SJCI) is a pioneer in drug discovery, therapeutics, clinical trials, and research. SJCI established the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy under the late Dr. Donald L. Morton, which has become the standard of lymph node care for melanoma and breast cancer worldwide.
Today, our patients continue to have access to innovative treatments, therapeutics, and trials. We are at the forefront of understanding the biology of cancer as well as expanding treatment for under-served communities.
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The 3rd Annual Santa Monica Melanoma Symposium, 2025
Industry experts gather for an educational conference, showcasing advancements in science.
“Please join us Saturday, September 13th 2025 at the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, discussing advanced metastatic melanoma, molecular melanomagenesis, liquid biopsy innovations, immunotherapy vaccines, microRNA biomarkers, surgical management, and more.”
– Richard Essner, MD
Learn more about this event for medical professionals sponsored by the Borstein Family Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute and register today.
Industry experts gather for an educational conference, showcasing advancements in science.
“Please join us Saturday, September 13th 2025 at the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, discussing advanced metastatic melanoma, molecular melanomagenesis, liquid biopsy innovations, immunotherapy vaccines, microRNA biomarkers, surgical management, and more.”
– Richard Essner, MD
Learn more about this event for medical professionals sponsored by the Borstein Family Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute and register today.
Events: Santa Monica Melanoma Symposium, 2025
When Should You Discuss Aquablation Therapy with Your Urologist?
Robert Wakeling (84) receives aquablation treatment for BPH at Saint John’s, relieving years of urinary symptoms.
“My life has changed since I had this procedure. I can’t thank Dr. Movassaghi enough for everything he did.”
– Robert Wakeling
Listen to Robert share his experience and why he chose aquablation over surgery.
Blog, Video (3:50): When Should You Discuss Aquablation Therapy with Your Urologist?
A Lifesaving Clinical Trial: The Journey of Bryan Fevold
Faced with terminal brain cancer, Bryan and Lynn come to California.
“Dr. Sharma, Emmaline, Minh, Frances,…All of them will forever be family and they treat us as such every time.”
– Bryan Fevold
Listen to Bryan and Lynn’s amazing story from Colorado to California in search of hope for Bryan’s cancer.
Blog, Video (34:35): A Lifesaving Clinical Trial: The Journey of Bryan Fevold
National Women’s Health Week: One Patient, Three Unrelated Cancers, An All-Female Medical Dream Team
Valerie Carmona shares her journey with synchronous cancer.
“And I remember getting off the phone—and then thanking God—because if not for breast cancer, they never would have found kidney cancer until it was too late.”
– Valerie Carmona
Learn more about Valerie’s incredible fight with multiple cancers and how she was able to navigate her recovery.
Blog, Video (21:45): Multiple Primary Malignancies Found in the Breasts and Kidney
Kidney Cancer Returns in Multiple Organs After a Decade in Remission
Neil Leshner was treated at Saint John’s for stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer. Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski provided expert medical care.
“I’m blessed for Saint John’s, and I’m not just saying this.”
– Neil Leshner
Learn more about Neil’s journey with metastatic kidney cancer and how Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski and Dr. Anton Bilchik changed his life.
Blog, Video (9:07): Kidney Cancer Returns in Multiple Organs After 18 years in Remission
A Triumph in Modern Medicine: Histotripsy at Saint John’s Health Center
Thomas was the first patient to receive histotripsy treatment for liver tumors at Saint John’s.
“I really hadn’t felt any kind of discomfort or pain from the procedure at all.”
– Thomas Zisfain
Learn more about Thomas’ journey and how a multi-disciplinary team contributed to his progress, treating stage 4 kidney cancer.
Blog, Video (5:25): Histotripsy Removes Liver Tumors from Metastatic Kidney Cancer Patient
TREATMENT, VIDEO (09:15): Histotripsy for Liver Cancer
Saint John’s Treats First Patient with Histotripsy for Liver Tumors
Dr. David Tran, director of interventional radiology at Tower Saint John’s Imaging, played a pivotal role in performing the procedure.
“Patients go home the same day and quickly return to normal life.”
– David N. Tran, MD
Learn more about the procedure Dr. Tran performed and how it may benefit the immune system.
BLOG, VIDEO (02:10): Saint John’s Treats First Patient with Histotripsy for Liver Tumors
TREATMENT, VIDEO (09:15): Histotripsy for Liver Cancer
Histotripsy for Liver Cancer: An Innovative Tool that Uses Ultrasound Waves
Dr. Jennifer Linehan explains how histotripsy works and its potential for other cancers.
“…There are no cuts, there’s no poking, there’s nothing that’s going inside you from outside. It’s all happening with a focused beam of ultrasound to destroy the tumors.”
– Jennifer Linehan, MD
Learn more about the Edison System by HistoSonics® and who may benefit most from this technology.
BLOG, VIDEO (09:15): Histotripsy for liver cancer: Innovative cancer treatment at Saint John’s Health Center
TREATMENT, VIDEO (09:15): Histotripsy for Liver Cancer
Saint John’s Pulmonary Team Expands Lung Cancer Screening Capability, Provides Disaster Relief
Ashraf Elsayegh, MD, and George E. Chaux, MD, are making a real difference in our community
“We thought it would be a great idea to start a pulmonary clinic to help with any issues that may arise immediately from the fires but also long-term issues from exposure to the toxins.”
– Ashraf M. Elsayegh, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Learn more about our lung cancer screening program and how the disaster relief clinic changes lives.
BLOG, VIDEOS: Saint John’s Pulmonary Team Expands Lung Cancer Screening Capability, Provides Disaster Relief
Advancing Lung Cancer Diagnosis with 3D Robotic Bronchoscopy: A Game-Changer for Community Care
Dr. George Chaux reveals how real-time imaging and robotic bronchoscopy work together for the benefit of patients.
“…When we do our biopsies, we can improve the yield 80% to 90% with the use of this technology.”
– George Chaux, MD, FCCP
Learn more about how Robotic Bronchoscopy with Cios Spin C-arm imaging is elevating care at Saint John’s for pulmonary conditions.
Blog, Video (2:10): Advancing Lung Cancer Diagnosis with 3D Robotic Bronchoscopy: A Game-Changer for Community Care
Saint John’s Continues to Elevate Surgical Excellence in Oncology with Innovation
Dr. Vivian Wu of Pacific Neuroscience Institute Offers Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) using Intuitives’ Single Port Robot.
“This single-port robot allows us to provide surgery to an area that was previously inaccessible surgically.”
– Vivian F. Wu, MD, MPH
Learn more about the benefits of TORS surgery for head & neck and oropharyngeal cancers.
TREATMENT, VIDEO (02:00): Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for Head and Neck Cancer
Innovation Spotlight: Single Port (SP) Robotic Surgery at Saint John’s Health Center Expedites Recovery Time
Dr. Jennifer Linehan, urologic oncologist at Saint John’s Health Center, reveals the evolution of robotic surgery and how surgical care is transforming for the benefit of patients.
“We are going to use this robot to innovate, help patients, make recovery faster, and make cancer care better.”
– Dr. Jennifer Linehan, Director of Urology Translational Research, Associate Professor of Urology and Urologic Oncology
Learn more about single port (single arm) robotics now available at Saint John’s Health Center.
News: Single Port (SP) Robotic Surgery at Saint John’s Health Center Expedites Recovery Time
Faculty Research: 2024 Publications Spotlight Scientific Collaboration
Cancer research at Saint John’s Cancer Institute continues to promote greater understanding in oncology.
“This release marks three consecutive years of the research report, reflecting over 30 years of collaborative research with global organizations and our resolve to cure cancer.”
– Dr. Dave SB Hoon, Director of SJCI Translational Research
Learn more about SJCI’s 2024 research, summarizing the peer-reviewed publications of our faculty.
Blog: Faculty Research: 2024 Publications Spotlight Scientific Collaboration
Center Spotlight: Vasek Polak Radiation Oncology Department at Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Radiation Oncologists Robert Wollman, MD, and April Vassantachart, MD, lead a highly experienced team, surrounding each patient with exceptional care and support.
“So, as you can see, we have a wonderful team that works very closely together to make sure that the radiation is delivered effectively and with compassion for every moment that our patients spend with us in the department and after they are finished with their treatment as well.”
– Robert Wollman, MD
Learn more about the radiation treatment process and each of the key roles of the radiation team.
Radiation Oncology, Video (24:12): Vasek Polak Radiation Oncology Department at Saint John’s Health Center
Galleri Multi-cancer Test Discovers Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer
Dr. Ora Gordon speaks with Harris Bass at Saint John’s Health Center after his surgery with Anton Bilchik, MD.
“I would tell anybody to come here.”
– Harris Bass
Learn more about how Harris discovered he had pancreatic cancer and what led him to Saint John’s.
Blog, Video (5:58): Galleri Test Discovers Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer
Why Are Clinical Trials Important?
Doctors, Kim Margolin, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Leland Foshag, Parvin Peddi, Santosh Kesari, and Emma Chacon, RN, Discuss the Impact of Clinical Trials and Advancement of Medical Science.
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD
Learn more and listen to some of the principal investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Doctors, Kim Margolin, Przemyslaw Twardowski, Leland Foshag, Parvin Peddi, Santosh Kesari, and Emma Chacon, RN, Discuss the Impact of Clinical Trials and Advancement of Medical Science.
“All of the advancements that we’ve made in oncology, all these transformational treatments that we have are really the result of participation of patients in clinical trials.”
– Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD
Learn more and listen to some of the principal investigators at Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Blog, Video (16:45): International Clinical Trials Day: Hear from the experts in cutting-edge research
Open or Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials
Discover Open and Recruiting Clinical Trials at Saint John’s
Trials for Neuro-Oncology, Prostate Cancer, Non-Prostate Genitourinary Clinical Trials, Melanoma, Breast Cancer, and other solid tumors clinical trials: Learn more.
Breast Cancer: Precision Medicine
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Parvin Peddi: Learn more.
Melanoma Cancer: Drug Trials:
Principal Investgator: Dr. Kim Margolin: Learn more.
Prostate Cancer: White Button Mushroom
Principal Invenstigator: Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski: Learn more.
Other Current Trials
Search using key terms or filter by Centers of Excellence or by Lead Doctor. Learn more.
Saint John’s: A Legacy of Care Excellence
Major Healthcare Awards for 2023 and 2024
“All of these achievements reflect the outstanding care our caregivers and physicians provide to our patients each and every day, …providing leading-edge, award-winning care in a compassionate, community hospital setting.”
– Michael Ricks, CEO, Saint John’s Health Cancer and Institute
Healthgrades – America’s 250 Best Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, including
America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Replacement, and Five-star ratings in six specialties: Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip replacement, Hip Fracture, Pneumonia, Bowel Obstruction and Sepsis, U.S. News & World Report – Best Hospital for Maternity Care 2024, Top Six Hospitals in Los Angeles County and Orange County, Recognized among the top 15 “Best Hospitals” in California, and Newsweek – World’s Best Hospitals 2024
About Us, Awards: Saint John’s Health Center Awards
A Legacy of Research Excellence
Donald L. Morton, Surgical Oncologist best known for developing sentinel lymph node evaluation
“He was ahead of his peers in anticipating the genetics era of cancer research, for decades he carefully maintained archival specimen resource for correlative translational studies.”
– Laura Morton Rowe, Chief Human Resources Officer, Saint John’s Health Center
Learn more about the Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
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