LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Prostate Institute (NYPI), a comprehensive research center focused on educating patients and physicians, conducting national research protocols of minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment options, and helping patients walk through an often confusing decision tree, officially opens its doors today. NYPI, modeled on other regional centers of excellence, is the first center in the Eastern United States devoted to the care of patients with prostate cancer.
Under the direction of Louis Potters, MD, FACR, a radiation oncologist respected for his work in brachytherapy, and located in South Nassau Communities Hospital on Long Island, NYPI combines a unique blend of state-of- the-art equipment with clinical expertise to ensure that patients receive cutting-edge first-line treatment or second opinions, and to teach brachytherapy to practitioners and advance the technique. Brachytherapy involves the implantation of radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland.
“Prostate cancer patients should undergo a discussion with a radiation oncologist because radiation is a proven mainstay of prostate cancer treatment,” said Dr. Potters. “I want patients to be well educated on all the options and the nuances particular to each individual’s case. Sometimes the best option will be radiation seeds, sometimes surgery, and sometimes IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy -- a form of external beam radiation). Most important is that the patient is comfortable with his decision, after learning all the facts.” The NYPI offers brachytherapy or external radiation (using IMRT) treatment options.
Dr. Potters came to the center from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he was chief of Radiation Oncology at their Long Island Network for the last six years. He was a pioneer in prostate brachytherapy, performing his first procedure in 1992 on Long Island -- one of only a handful of American doctors with this length of experience in the field. Dr. Potters is internationally known as an author of numerous research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals, a frequent presenter at medical meetings, and a leader within the prostate cancer and medical communities. He sits on the editorial boards of the prestigious journals Oncology and Brachytherapy and is a reviewer for several critical medical publications, including: Cancer; The Lancet Oncology, and The Journal of Urology.
Dr. Potters and his partner, Edward Mullen, MD, participate in the Halyard Project, dedicated to the development of a data model to promote the advancement of clinical cancer research and simplify multi-institutional collaboration. They plan to license the web version, which will add data to the growing body of research, track outcomes and quality of life issues, and spearhead outcomes studies. All of these steps will help physicians better understand which treatment protocol is best for which patient population.
“We have established a center where the level of experience exceeds the average academic hospital and certainly most community hospitals,” Dr. Potters said. “Our goal is to give patients enough information, based on the latest data and experience, and to help them assess their chances of a successful outcome. Should they elect brachytherapy, then we offer the latest approach, called dynamic real-time planning.” This technique, developed by Dr. Potters employs computerization in the operating room to help physicians use fewer seeds with better radiation-dose coverage -- thus reducing the possibility of complications without affecting the chance of a successful treatment. Dr. Potters also uses an assessment tool, called a nomogram, which eliminates the bias associated with predicting outcomes by treatment type.
The New York Prostate Institute is the first comprehensive center in the Eastern United States entirely devoted to the care of patients with prostate cancer who seek cutting-edge first-line treatment or second opinions. With an emphasis on education about all treatment options, the doctor-patient team walks through a sophisticated decision tree to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on the nuances of each patient’s case. NYPI is a leader in enhancing the treatment of prostate cancer and offers patients the opportunity to participate in several research protocols. Existing and new brachytherapy practitioners receive the most stringent training available. Patients can call 516-632-3370, or view the website at http://www.nyprostate.org/.
CONTACT: Stacy John of the New York Prostate Institute, +1-516-632-3370.
New York Prostate Institute
CONTACT: Stacy John of the New York Prostate Institute, +1-516-632-3370
Web site: http://www.nyprostate.org/