Category Archives: Prostate Cancer Institute

Local radiation oncologist presents at national medical conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information, contact: Carolyn Rogers

Office 239-278-3900, Cell 239-850-5020

Carolyn@BriggsRogers.com

National Research on Calypso® system’s effectiveness in guiding radiation treatment

(Fort Myers, Fla. – November 10, 2010) – Dr. Constantine Mantz, a radiation oncologist and director of research for 21st Century Oncology, presented his clinical research findings using the Calypso® 4D localization system in conjunction with stereotactic body radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer at the American Society of Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) 52nd Annual Meeting held last week in San Diego. His abstract was one of 100 selected of the more tha

Prostate-Cancer-Institute-logo-300x49

n 3,000 submissions the conference received this year. The findings are based on his research conducted in Southwest Florida. Mantz is also the Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Institute.

This research follows a similar study he published in the medical journal Urology earlier this year, in which Mantz reported that the precision with which physicians can target radiation beams using the Calypso system enables them to treat prostate cancer with significantly less risk of unwanted side effects. In this related study, radiation’s impact on urinary, bowel and sexual function was greatly reduced over conventional therapy.

“It was an honor to present this research to my peers. I’m particularly proud of the fact that we were able to conduct this nationally recognized work here in Southwest Florida and establish 21st Century Oncology as a leader in prostate cancer radiotherapy,” Mantz says.

The Calypso system tracks the movement of the prostate in real-time during a treatment session and allows for pinpoint accuracy in radiation delivery. Prior to radiotherapy, tiny electromagnetic devices called beacon transponders are implanted in the patient’s prostate. These transponders allow physicians to monitor the natural movement of the prostate during treatment and ensure that the prostate stays within the radiation beam. Without Calypso, physicians may set radiation beams to cover a wider area, including healthy tissue, to account for these small movements. The ability to continuously see where the prostate is located in relation to the radiation beam means clinicians can keep the beam’s scope narrow and direct higher, more effective radiation dose to the tumor.

About The Prostate Cancer Institute
The Prostate Cancer Institute (PCI) combines the talents of Southwest Florida’s most experienced board-certified urologists and radiation oncologists, giving patients a single point of contact for their prostate cancer treatment needs. Armed with the latest research, cutting edge technology and the most current treatment modalities, our doctors and staff members work together to evaluate and review each individual patients’ treatment options, and collaborates with patients and their families to select the best course to meet their needs. PCI physicians’ expertise has been recognized by professional societies and organizations and, most importantly, patients. For more information, physician referral service or to schedule an appointment, call 800-NEW-HELP or visit www.MensCancerCenter.com.

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Complimentary Screenings for Prostate Cancer

(Fort Myers, Fla. – September 8, 2010) – Nearly 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United States, making it the second most common form of cancer suffered by men. In fact, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. While prostate cancer is very common, it’s also very treatable if it is caught early. That’s why 21st Century Oncology along with participating Prostate Cancer Institute urologists in Lee and Collier Counties are offering complimentary prostate cancer screenings between September 13 and October 31 in honor of National Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Men are encouraged to “Know Your Number” which relates to the PSA screening.

 

Prostate Cancer Institute revised 3Prostate cancer can be detected early through a digital rectal exam paired with a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening. This is a simple blood test to measure the amount of antigen in the blood. Tested in nanograms of PSA per milliliter, a PSA level of under 4.0 ng/mL is considered “normal.” Prostate cancer found during one of these routine examinations is likely to be in an earlier stage and more treatable. All men age 50 or older and men age 40 or older with higher risk, such as those with a family history of prostate cancer at a young age, should be tested every year.

 

“Prostate cancer is very common, but with the advanced treatments available today, it can be treated effectively,” says Dr. Constantine Mantz, radiation oncologist for 21st Century Oncology and Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Institute. “Urologists affiliated with the Institute are highly skilled in a number of surgical techniques for those patients who choose surgery.  For patients selecting radiation therapy, systems like Calypso® and TrueBeam™, which we’ve recently introduced in Southwest Florida, allow us to target cancer very precisely for radiation therapy and so treat patients safely and effectively.”

 

To make an appointment for a complimentary screening, men can contact any office listed on the Prostate Cancer Institute website – www.menscancercenter.com – or call 1-800-NEW-HELP. Patients will need a voucher to receive the screenings for free, which is available by calling 1-800-NEW-HELP or for download off of the website.

 

The complimentary screenings are made possible through 21st Century C.A.R.E., a foundation for cancer assistance, research and education.

 

About The Prostate Cancer Institute

The Prostate Cancer Institute (PCI) combines the talents of Southwest Florida’s most experienced board-certified urologists and radiation oncologists, giving patients a single point of contact for their prostate cancer treatment needs.  Armed with the latest research, cutting edge technology and the most current treatment modalities, our doctors and staff members work together to evaluate and review each individual patients’ treatment options, and collaborates with patients and their families to select the best course to meet their needs.  PCI physicians’ expertise has been recognized by professional societies and organizations and, most importantly, patients.  For more information, physician referral service or to schedule an appointment, call 800-NEW-HELP or visit www.MensCancerCenter.com.

 

About 21st Century Oncology

Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For more than 20 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 17 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.

 

About 21st Century C.A.R.E.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Fort Myers since 2007, 21st Century C.A.R.E. is a not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated to cancer patients. Its mission is to provide financial assistance for cancer patients, education programs including cancer screening, support groups, and contributing to vital cancer research. For more information, visit www.21stcenturycare.org.

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Sidebar:

Quick facts about prostate cancer

  • The chance of getting prostate cancer increases quickly after a man reaches age 50.
  • Almost 2 out of every 3 prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.
  • Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men than other races, followed by non-Hispanic white men.

Prostate cancer symptoms

Many prostate cancer patients show no symptoms of the disease, however, men may experience the following:

 

  • trouble having or keeping an erection (impotence)
  • blood in the urine
  • pain in the spine, hips, ribs, or other bones
  • weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
  • loss of bladder or bowel control

Source: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org

 

Know your number

PSA test results are given in numbers. Patients with a PSA result higher than 4, or any patient with a significant increase since their last test, should see a urologist.

 

Prostate Cancer Institute Locations

The following locations in Collier County are offering complimentary prostate cancer screenings to men between September 13 and October 31, in observance of National Prostate Cancer Awareness month:

 

Marco Island

 

Naples Urology Associates

Royal Palm Mall

973 N. Collier Blvd

Marco Island, FL 34145

239-434-8656

 

Naples

 

Kendall L. Wise, MD

Colonial Square Office Park

1044 Goodlette Road N

Naples, FL 34102

239-261-5400

 

Naples Urology Associates

Colonial Square Office Park

1132 Goodlette Road N

Naples, FL 34102

23- 434-8656

 

21st Century Oncology

733 4th Avenue North

Naples, FL 34102

239-436-5520

 

21st Century Oncology

1885 SW Health Parkway

Naples, FL 34109

239-593-3022

 

21st Century Oncology

820 Goodlette Road N

Naples, FL 34102

239 434-0166

The following locations in Lee County are offering complimentary prostate cancer screenings to men between September 13 and October 31, in observance of National Prostate Cancer Awareness month:

 

Bonita Springs

Southwest Florida Urological Associates

3501 Health Center Blvd. Ste 2420

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

239-949-2211

 

Naples Urology Associates

Bonita Bay Medical Ctr.

26800 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 250

Bonita Springs, FL 34134

239-434-8656

 

Florida Specialists in Urology

3501 Health Center Blvd. Ste 2120

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

239-949-2211

 

Gulfstream Urology

3501 Health Center Blvd. Ste 2120

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

239-277-5770

 

Florida Urology Physicians

3501 Health Center Blvd., Ste 2130

Bonita Springs, FL. 34135

239-689-8800

 

21st Century Oncology

8991 Brighton Lane

Bonita Springs, FL 35135

239 949-3130

 

Cape Coral

 

Southwest Florida Urological Associates

507 Del Prado Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-772-0500

 

Premier Urology

2721 Del Prado Blvd S. Ste 220

Cape Coral, FL 33904

239-458-0168

 

Premier Urology

1435 SE 8th Terrace Ste B

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-458-0168

 

Florida Specialists in Urology

126 Del Prado North

Cape Coral, FL 33909

239-458-6677

 

Florida Urology Physicians

1255-2 Viscaya Pkwy, Ste 201

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-689-8800

 

21st Century Oncology

1419 SE 8th Terrace

Cape Coral, FL 33990

239 772-3202

 

Fort Myers

 

21st Century Oncology

3680 Broadway

Fort Myers, FL 33901

239-936-0380

 

21st Century Oncology

8931 Colonial Center Drive, Suite 100

Fort Myers FL. 33905

239-936-0382

 

21st Century Oncology

7341 Gladiolus Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33908

239-489-3420

 

Southwest Florida Urological Associates

12651 Whitehall Drive

Ft. Myers, FL 33907

239-939-4444

 

Gulfstream Urology

8931 Colonial Center Dr. Ste 100

Ft. Myers, FL 33905

239-277-5770

 

Premier Urology

13685 Doctors Way, Ste 210

Ft. Myers, FL 33912

239-458-0168

 

Florida Specialists in Urology

7335 Gladiolus Dr.

Ft. Myers, FL 33908

239-689-6677

 

Florida Specialists in Urology

15000 Shell Point Blvd.

Ft. Myers, FL 33905

239-689-6677

 

Florida Urology Physicians

14651 Palm Beach Blvd., Ste 100

Ft. Myers, FL 33905

239-689-8800

 

Florida Urology Physicians

7451 Gladiolus Drive, Ste. A

Ft. Myers, FL 33908

239 689-8800

 

Lehigh Acres

 

Southwest Florida Urological Associates

3227 Lee Blvd., Suite F

Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

239-368-0028

 

Florida Urology Physicians

1530 Lee Blvd.

Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

239-689-8800

 

21st Century Oncology

1120 Lee Boulevard

Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

239-369-4141

 

North Ft. Myers

 

Premier Urology

18900 N. Tamiami Trail, Ste. 12

North Ft. Myers, FL 33903

239-458-0168

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21st Century Oncology among world’s first to offer TrueBeam™

New radiation delivery system accelerates treatment for cancer with unprecedented speed and accuracy

 

(Fort Myers, Fla. – August 12, 2010) – 21st Century Oncology is among the first in the world to offer cancer patients access to a faster and safer radiation treatment system called TrueBeam. Unveiled just over three months ago, there are fewer than a dozen TrueBeam machines in the world – and 21st Century Oncology offices in Naples and Fort Myers are the first to install it in the U.S. behind Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  The Naples office plans to begin using TrueBeam for patients on September 1, while the Fort Myers location plans to begin offering TrueBeam treatment delivered in conjunction with Calypso on September 15.

 

TrueBeam delivers radiation to treat tumors up to two times faster than other systems with great accuracy and precision.

TrueBeam delivers radiation to treat tumors up to two times faster than other systems with great accuracy and precision.

TrueBeam is a fully-integrated system designed to treat a moving target, such as a tumor that moves slightly when patients breathe, with unprecedented speed and accuracy. It can be used for prostate, brain, lung, spine, liver and other cancers. TrueBeam system makes it possible to deliver accurate image-guided treatments faster than previously available technology. In fact, most treatments take only a few minutes per day. Image-guidance tools can generate 3-D anatomical images 60 percent faster and these images can be generated using 25 percent less of an X-ray dose. This enables physicians to target tumors with accuracy that is measured in fractions of millimeters.

 

In another exclusive, 21st Century Oncology will use TrueBeam in conjunction with the Calypso® tracking system in Fort Myers. Calypso, which has been called GPS for the body, uses real-time tracking by following even the tiniest of tumor movement and stopping radiation treatment until the tumor moves back into place, ensuring the beam stays directed at the tumor, not healthy tissue. The combination of these two systems will make cancer treatment faster, safer, and more accurate and efficient than ever.

 

43479-lo-VOS_spinning“Bringing TrueBeam to Southwest Florida when it’s so new is a big step forward in the treatment of cancer in our area. Bringing two TrueBeams is even more so, and gives our patients access to the very latest in medical care,” says Dr. Constantine Mantz, a practicing radiation oncologist, director of research with 21st Century Oncology and medical director of the Prostate Cancer Institute. “TrueBeam’s power, combined with the precision and accuracy of our Calypso system, is going to make it a great treatment option for patients with prostate and other cancers.”

 

“TrueBeam is a revolutionary upgrade in radiation treatment, and the bottom line for patients is that TrueBeam lets us treat cancer tumors much faster and with less risk of side effects,” says Dr. Chaundre Cross, a radiation oncologist with 21st Century Oncology in Naples. “It’s like combining the popular CyberKnife® and RapidArc® treatment systems into one machine. The radiation dose it takes CyberKnife to deliver in 45 minutes to an hour can be delivered by TrueBeam in less than a minute.”

 

 

About The Prostate Cancer Institute

The Prostate Cancer Institute (PCI) combines the talents of Southwest Florida’s most experienced board-certified urologists and radiation oncologists, giving patients a single point of contact for their prostate cancer treatment needs.  Armed with the latest research, cutting edge technology and the most current treatment modalities, our doctors and staff members work together to evaluate and review each individual patients’ treatment options, and collaborates with patients and their families to select the best course to meet their needs.  PCI physicians’ expertise has been recognized by professional societies and organizations and, most importantly, patients.  For more information, physician referral service or to schedule an appointment, call 800-NEW-HELP or visit www.MensCancerCenter.com.

 

About 21st Century Oncology

Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For more than 20 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 17 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.

 

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Men with Prostate Cancer Can Now Get Easier Access to Care

Prostate Cancer Institute Opens in SW Florida

 

 

(May 24, 2010 – Fort Myers, Fla.) — A group of urologists and radiation oncologists working with 21st Century Oncology have come together to provide a comprehensive resource for information and treatment for men with prostate cancer in Southwest Florida.

 

Prostate Cancer Institute logoThe Prostate Cancer Institute combines the thought and opinion leaders in prostate cancer care to give patients a single, central resource to obtain opinions and treatment options, and to improve access to information with an easy phone number and soon to be launched website.

 

Prostate cancer is very commonly diagnosed in men of ages 65 or older, and one in six men in the United States will be diagnosed with this disease in his lifetime.  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. 

 

“We recognize prostate cancer is a complicated disease for patients to understand and know how to manage disease decisions,” said Dr. Constantine Mantz, a radiation oncologist and director of research with 21st Century Oncology and medical director of the Prostate Cancer Institute.  “A wealth of information is out there and we’ve seen patients with much confusing information on the cancer.” 

 

The goal of the Prostate Cancer Institute is to offer clear and customized information for patients through the multidisciplinary team of urologists and radiation oncologists that is easily accessible in a location close to the patient’s home.  Prostate Cancer Institute member practices are located in more than 20 offices around Southwest Florida.

 

The Prostate Cancer Institute offers a patient navigator to provide patients a virtual one-stop answer to prostate cancer, with a doctor available for consultation on the telephone or in person. The institute also has a tumor board where doctors in the group regularly discuss challenging cases and physicians participate in ongoing research in prostate cancer. The group will also provide the community with ongoing education on options for prostate cancer treatment.

 

In the 1980s and 1990s, when there were fewer options for prostate cancer treatment, the standard course was a referral to an urologist or radiation oncologist.  “Back when we used to only have a handful of choices – the technologies and treatments were more straightforward,” said Dr. Mantz.  “Now, it requires a forum for physicians to work together to know all surgical and radiation options.”

 

As a result, physicians are well informed and up to date with modern tools – in order to offer customized plans for patients and find options that will reduce potential side effects such as urinary, bowel and sexual function. Men can now expect a favorable outcome if cancer is found in early stage. A Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, screening will identify cancer at an early stage 90 percent of the time.

 

The expertise of the physicians at the Prostate Cancer Institute has been recognized by professional societies and organizations and, most importantly, patients. To speak to the patient navigator, physician referral service or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-NEW-HELP or visit www.MensCancerCenter.com.

 

Sidebar:

 

Community-based Research on Prostate Cancer Treatment Published in medical journal Urology – New Calypso® Treatment Proves to Reduce and Eliminate Some Side Effects

Studies have proven that radiation treatment – delivered externally and internally – is as effective in treating the disease as surgical removal of the prostate. One of the biggest issues in the external delivery of radiation is accounting for natural organ motion – which is caused by normal bodily activities such as digestion, breathing or coughing – and presents challenges to delivering precise intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to the prostate.

 

Dr. Constantine Mantz led a study of a new system called Calypso that enables clinicians to monitor the slightest of movements and keep the target in the path of the radiation beam at all times. It works using Beacon transponders about the size of a grain of rice, implanted in the prostate, to show the tumors exact location. The ability to more exactly monitor cancerous tissue’s location allows clinicians to deliver radiation in narrower beams at higher dosages.

 

The study group experienced significantly fewer side effects associated with bowel urgency and frequency, fecal incontinence and urinary irritation, compared to patients who had been treated with radiation not using the Calypso system. Study patients not receiving hormonal therapy also reported experiencing significantly less impact on sexual function.

 

“Patients who have undergone therapy using the Calypso System find confidence in knowing that the technology provides guidance to detect and manage any possible target motion during treatment,” says Dr. Mantz. “The end result is the more accurate delivery of radiation to cancerous tissue with minimal impact to adjacent healthy tissue.”

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