Nick Fischer of Easton, who served in the Marine Corps, will be able to stand on his own two legs when he salutes the flag this upcoming Veterans Day.<\/p>\n
In July 2023, Fischer, a former Easton Area High School teacher and Dieruff High School assistant principal in Allentown, prepared to undergo surgery not knowing whether he would awaken with his lower left leg intact.<\/p>\n
But that day, St. Luke\u2019s Orthopedic Care’s Dr. Justin Miller, who is the only orthopedic oncologist in the Lehigh Valley, removed a large sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, that stretched the entire length of Fischer\u2019s left calf — heroically managing to do so while preserving the blood vessels Fischer needed to avoid amputation and retain leg function.<\/p>\n
Fischer awoke from the surgery to learn that his leg had been saved. It was the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cSarcoma is a rare and complex cancer that requires a highly individualized approach,\u201d said Dr. Miller, an orthopedic surgeon whose subspecialty is orthopedic oncology. (Orthopedic oncology has been described as perhaps the smallest club within orthopedics, with fewer than 200 fellowship-trained orthopedic oncologists nationwide, based on Musculoskeletal Tumor Society membership and academic program rosters.)<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal was not only to treat the disease but to preserve Nick\u2019s quality of life,\u201d Miller added.<\/p>\n
Fischer, 55, who taught chemistry and environmental science at Easton High, wasn\u2019t expecting to add cancer survivor to his list of life roles that includes Marine, teacher and assistant principal. In retrospect, he said he can see clearly how fortunate he is that he turned to St. Luke\u2019s when he needed help.<\/p>\n
Fischer began experiencing pain, tingling and swelling in his left leg in 2022. An initial visit with Dr. Lea Reyes of St. Luke\u2019s Medical Associates of Bethlehem and further evaluation by Dr. Miller revealed the sarcoma causing Fischer\u2019s leg problems. Fischer also learned the cancer had spread to his left breast.<\/p>\n
Before surgery could be performed, Fischer required both chemotherapy and radiation therapy to shrink the tumor in his leg. This was only one part of the highly complex treatment plan that involved a number of other advanced specialists from throughout St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network. This plan that was expertly choreographed to maximize the odds of success.<\/p>\n
During the July 2023 surgery to remove the sarcoma, Dr. Miller collaborated with Dr. Christopher Sanders from St. Luke’s Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to preserve the critical blood vessels necessary for leg function. Thanks to their planning and execution, the surgery was a success and Nick\u2019s leg was saved. Two months later, St. Luke\u2019s surgical oncologist Dr. Darius Desai completed successful surgery to remove the cancerous mass from Fischer\u2019s left breast.<\/p>\n
“It couldn\u2019t have gone any better,” Fischer said. “Everybody from A-Z at St. Luke\u2019s I give high marks, high respect. They\u2019re very professional, extremely friendly, empathetic, and of course very knowledgeable.”<\/p>\n
Fischer receives regular MRI and CT scans every four months and follows up with Dr. Miller to make sure he\u2019s healthy. He\u2019s shown no signs of a recurrence of his cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lucked out to connect with Dr. Miller,” Fischer said.<\/p>\n
Staying healthy matters more than ever to Fischer as he plays his new favorite role \u2014 loving grandfather to two grandkids. \u201cThey just turned 1 year old and 2 years old a couple of weeks ago,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cI watch them quite often.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the best job in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Photo caption: Nick Fischer greets and hugs St. Luke\u2019s Orthopedic Care’s Dr. Justin Miller, who is the only orthopedic oncologist in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
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About St. Luke\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n Founded in 1872, St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network with annual net revenue of more than $4 billion. With 23,000+ employees at 16 hospital campuses and 350+ outpatient sites, it is the Lehigh Valley\u2019s biggest employer.<\/p>\n The Network\u2019s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke\u2019s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke\u2019s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley\u2019s first and only four-year medical school. It also operates the nation\u2019s oldest School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 50+ fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 500+ residents and fellows.<\/p>\n St. Luke\u2019s has been named a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World\u2019s Best Hospital. It is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare\u2019s five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. In 2025, the Network earned straight A\u2019s from Leapfrog across all of its 11 acute care hospitals. It has earned 100 Top Hospital designations from Premier 11 years in a row, including in 2021 when its flagship University Hospital was identified as THE #1 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of SLUHN\u2019s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nick Fischer of Easton, who served in the Marine Corps, will be able to stand on his own two legs when he salutes the flag this upcoming Veterans Day. In … Continue reading Advanced Orthopedic Oncology Saves Leg of Marine and Educator with Rare Sarcoma<\/span>
\nSam Kennedy<\/p>\n