Robotic Surgery Removes Fast-Growing Tumor for Aspiring Professor
August 21, 2025
Late one night last summer, Gary Galgoci woke suddenly with excruciating back pain. The 36-year-old from Colonia, New Jersey, went to the emergency department (ED), where doctors thought he might have kidney stones. When his scans came back negative, he was sent home with instructions to take over-the-counter medication for the pain.
Several weeks later, Gary was still hurting. A team member from Hackensack Meridian Health called him to say that another doctor, Faiz Bhora, M.D., a thoracic surgeon at JFK University Medical Center and regional chairman of surgery, had reviewed his scans. Dr. Bhora felt Gary’s case needed urgent attention.
At first, Gary wasn’t sure about coming back. But Dr. Bhora stressed the importance of a return visit: Gary had a 3.5-centimeter mass growing in his chest wall.
“My whole world was turned upside down,” Gary says. “He told me it was a tumor, and I should have it removed as soon as possible. The surgery was scheduled just a couple of days later.”
Intense Experience, Incredible Team
Because of the tumor size, Dr. Bhora knew he needed to move quickly. “Such tumors can be benign but can also turn aggressive,” Dr. Bhora says. “Addressing it surgically was critical and the best option.”
On August 12, 2024, Dr. Bhora operated for two and a half hours to remove the tumor, which was threatening Gary’s lung.
“Traditionally, we would do an open surgery, which has large cuts and a long recovery time,” Dr. Bhora says. “Instead, we used minimally invasive robotic surgery and specialized instruments that allow us to cut ribs from inside the chest without a big incision on the skin and divide normal tissue and muscle in order to get to the rib and tumor.”
Despite the advanced technology, the experience was frightening for Gary. “I cried the whole morning of my surgery. I was terrified,” he says. “It was intense, but the team was incredible.”
The robotic surgery also meant a much shorter hospital stay—just one night.
“Using robotic surgery allowed us to achieve an excellent outcome with little disruption to Gary’s life,” Dr. Bhora says. “The tumor was completely removed, and Gary’s outlook is excellent. There’s less than a 5 percent chance it comes back.”
Since surgery, Gary has regular scans and bloodwork, which will continue for the next five years. While he’s hopeful and pain-free today, Gary says the emotional toll has been significant.
“When I first got the call, I felt absolute rage,” he says. “Then I was scared I wouldn’t see my next birthday.”
But Gary found strength in his support network—his mother Diane, his workplace family and the master’s degree he’s working toward. Once he earns his degree from Montclair State University in 2026, he hopes to become an adjunct literature professor so he can teach students about his favorite book, The Scarlett Letter.
“I’m grateful I didn’t ignore that phone call; they saved my life,” he says. “And from now on, I’m taking it one step at a time.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Faiz Bhora, M.D.
- Make an appointment with an oncologist or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about cancer care at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
