Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry Marks Thirty-five Years

Contact: Pat Samson (513) 585-7200
12/30/02

This year commemorates the thirty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry (IPITTR), formerly known as the Cincinnati Transplant Tumor Registry. Beginning in 1967 in Denver, Colorado, Israel Penn, M.D., began recording unusual lymphomas in transplant recipients. In 1985, Dr. Penn accepted a position as professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dr. Penn was the first to recognize the increased incidence of cancer following transplantation and became internationally recognized as the foremost authority on transplant-related malignancies. The Cincinnati Transplant Tumor Registry was renamed the Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry (IPITTR) upon his death in 1999. The IPITTR remains the largest, most comprehensive transplant tumor registry in the world. The registry, containing data on more than 15,000 cases, provides over 200 free consultations to the international transplant community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The registry?s goal is to provide scientific data to allow optimal treatment and prevention of cancer in transplant patients. The IPITTR has submitted over 80 scientific abstracts to scientific meetings throughout the world. The IPITTR is run by its board of directors that include University of Cincinnati faculty members: Rita Alloway, Pharm.D.; Joseph Buell, M.D.; Michael Hanaway, M.D.; Jennifer Trofe, Pharm.D.; and E. Steve Woodle, M.D, F.A.C.S. Joseph Buell, M.D., transplant surgeon and surgical oncologist at The University Hospital, serves as the IPITTR director. The Health Alliance offers the Tristate?s only adult solid organ transplant center, located at The University Hospital and The Christ Hospital. Our patients hold many world records for survival. The Health Alliance is an integrated health care delivery system that includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.