Well - Summer 2011 - (Page 6)

Prostate Raj S. Pruthi, mD, professor of Surgery/ urology and chief of urology within the unC School of medicine Protection Explore what goes into a renowned, well-rounded approach to cancer care. BY STEPHEN WERK team—representing all three cancer physician specialties as well as pathology, radiology and other health care disciplines— closely assesses diagnosis and reviews treatment every step of the way. “We’re committed to providing the very best cancer care possible,” says Raj S. Pruthi, MD, professor of Surgery/ Urology and chief of Urology within the UNC School of Medicine. “By bringing together the brightest minds from many specialties and disciplines, we ensure that all treatment options are considered to deliver the best care experience and result for each patient.” A recent study led by Dr. Pruthi, published in the journal Urologic Oncology, confirmed that UNC Hospitals’ teamoriented care approach benefits urology cancer patients by providing more precise diagnosis and more comprehensive treatment recommendations. Remarkably, the study found that the initial diagnosis or treatment course was changed for almost 65 percent of 269 urology cancer patients who came to UNC Hospitals for a second opinion. “Our collaborative approach drives innovation because we explore how therapies and treatments within different physician specialties can be used in conjunction to improve outcomes, and we bring to bear all the latest findings in clinical research,” says Young E. Whang, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine and medical oncologist at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. A multidisciplinary commitment to prostate cancer care also helps each patient fully assess the quality-of-life impacts of all appropriate treatments, says Ronald Chen, MD, assistant professor within UNC Hospitals’ Department of Radiation Oncology. he moment Joe CalCutt, a 54-yearold health care executive from Wilmington, N.C., walked into UNC Hospitals for treatment of his prostate cancer, he knew he was in good hands. “You could just sense the caring from everybody,” says Joe. “Everyone—all the physicians, nurses and other specialists—gave me comfort that they really cared about me.” His treatment included advanced, robotic cancer surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, which precisely removed his prostate with a small area of cancer and had him back at work within two weeks. While prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, treatment is highly successful for patients, such as Joe, whose disease is diagnosed early. “I had an optimal result with no side effects,” Joe says about his surgery more than two years ago. “It was a worldclass blend of high touch and high tech.” Joe’s positive clinical outcome and care experience are rooted in UNC Health Care’s nationally recognized team approach to prostate cancer care and its diverse range of effective, leading-edge treatments. Precise Diagnosis and Treatment Prostate cancer treatment primarily involves three physician specialties: radiation oncology, urologic surgery and medical oncology. Traditionally, however, interaction and collaboration among the specialties have been limited. Each prostate cancer patient seen at UNC Health Care gains the peace of mind that a comprehensive medical 6 Summer 2011 Well

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Summer 2011

Well - Summer 2011
Contents
UNC Health Care News
Community
Radio City Rockettes Visit Children’s Hospital
Prostate Protection
Surgery Through Oxlee’s Eyes
Nutrition
Calendar

Well - Summer 2011