Groundbreaking Research in Radiation Oncology by Good Samaritan Hospital Physician

John Mitty Thursday, June 6, 2013

West Islip, NY – In a study published in the journal Targeted Oncology, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center’s Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology Johnny Kao, MD, and his team reported that aggressive radiation combined with chemotherapy can extend life for some patients with advanced cancers.

The study focused on patients with limited stage IV cancer who were not considered surgical candidates, due to the extent to which their cancers had spread. Starting in early 2007, Dr. Kao and his team were among a select group of centers that pioneered the use of intensive but highly focused doses of radiation to treat cancers that spread beyond their primary site (metastases) with intensive but highly focused doses of radiation. Patients enrolled in the study were simultaneously treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for two weeks combined with a drug that blocks blood vessel growth. Four years after treatment, 34 percent of patients remained free of cancer recurrence. Stereotactic body radiotherapy proved safe for use throughout the body, including bone, lung, liver and lymph nodes metastases.

“Our experience demonstrates that select patients with limited metastatic spread benefit from aggressive local therapy, consisting of highly targeted radiation or surgery in addition to chemotherapy,” said Dr. Kao. 

When cancer spreads to vital organs, it has historically been considered a terminal diagnosis that is treated only with palliative chemotherapy. However, researchers are learning that long-term survival is possible for some patients with limited spread treated with aggressive therapy. To achieve optimal outcomes, surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists with the Cancer Center at Good Samaritan work together to deliver personalized care for each patient.

Good Samaritan’s Department of Radiation Oncology is dedicated to providing the highest quality cancer care in a sensitive, respectful and compassionate manner. The department is recognized as a regional center of excellence and an integral part of the cancer program at Good Samaritan Hospital.  Physicians have extensive experience with state-of-the art radiation techniques including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) and high-dose rate brachytherapy to improve patient outcomes. More importantly, Good Samaritan physicians are focused on applying the tools of modern medicine to achieve the best possible outcomes for each patient with cancer and have published exceptional results for patients with breast, prostate, lung, head and neck and metastatic cancers in leading oncology journals. 

For more information on radiation oncology services at Good Samaritan Hospital, call (631) 376-4444 or visit www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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