New Technology. Greater Precision. Better Care.

New radiation therapies have greatly enhanced our ability to treat cancer more effectively. Today, more than half of patients with cancer are treated with radiation therapy -- the careful use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells in the body. At the Radiation Oncology Center, new advances in radiation oncology now enable us to more precisely target tumors, minimizing treatment side effects and with faster results than ever before. The result is a more aggressive approach to cancer treatment with improved quality of life.

The Lankenau Hospital Radiation Oncology Center combines the best of university quality medical care with unsurpassed patient advocacy and support. It has been the mission of our directors -- Albert S. DeNittis, M.D., MS Chief of Radiation Oncology and Marisa Weiss, M.D., Director of Breast Radiation Oncology -- to offer the finest patient care, with the most effective state-of-the-art radiation technologies together with their team of experienced staff. Both physicians are Board Certified and lead a team of board certified physicists, oncology-certified nurses, certified medical dosimetrists as well as registered radiation therapists. The department also offers complementary medicine services in nutrition, relaxation therapies, and mindful measures, as well as access to a social worker, lymphedema specialist, and registered dietitians.

At the Radiation Oncology Center, our first priority is to approach each patient as a unique individual and give them access to the best care from each specialty: surgical oncology, radiation, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, general medical care, oncology nursing, physical medicine and social work. A team of physicians, in coordinated fashion, sees and discusses each patient prior to the initiation of therapy, throughout their treatment course, and during extended follow-up after treatment is completed. There are multidisciplinary conferences in all cancer sites including lung, breast, colorectal, lymphoma, genitourinary, and sarcoma. We also offer multidisciplinary clinics for lung and genitourinary cancers.

Our Capabilities

Lankenau's Radiation Oncology Center combines sophisticated technology with compassionate care and comfort. We employ the latest in treatment technology and amenities that increase patient comfort and privacy. Our facility offers convenient, free parking, a private entrance for radiation patients, extended hours and treatment areas that are comforting. In addition, we work closely with the local American Cancer Society to assist patients with transportation needs.

Our treatment technologies include:

• Varian 21EX Linear Accelerators with IMRT Capability. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), is a computer-driven technology that delivers a high dose of radiation more precisely to the tumor, while increasing protection of surrounding organs and tissues from damaging exposure. IMRT allows for varied radiation intensity, which leads to improved cancer control and survival.

• Brachytherapy: An outpatient proceure that involves the implantation of radioactive sources directly into the cancerous site. This includes radiation seed implant and High Dose Rate (HDR) and Low Dose Rate (LDR) equipment for effective treatment of prostate, gynecologic, breast and other cancers.

• Radioimmunotherapy: Radioimmunotherapy allows doctors to target and concentrate radiation to specific tumor sites, reducing the amount of radiation that reaches healthy tissue. The technology links radioactive atoms to monoclonal antibodies that deliver the radioactivity by seeking out and latching onto proteins found on cancer cells. These antibodies attach to the cancerous cells and weaken or destroy them with attached radiation.

• Mammosite: Lankenau was the first cancer center in the Philadelphia region to offer this revolutionary technique for breast cancer treatment. Mammosite is a new minimally-invasive method of delivering internal radiation therapy via& catheter following a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Mammosite provides minimal radiation exposure to healthy tissue and reduces the potential for side effects and cosmetic damage. Therapy is given on an outpatient basis-there is no need to stay in the hospital-and can be completed in 5 days.

• CT Scanners: Computed Tomography (CT) imaging technology allows us to better and more accurately target and visualize tumors and diseased tissue for greater position and patient convenience.

• Dr. DeNittis is funded to evaluate the role of genetics and prostate cancer. Three protocols are being performed in conjunction with the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR).

• An array of gynecologic radiation implantations for the treatment of cervix, endometrial and vaginal cancers.

• Through our sarcoma program we can also implant hard to cure cancers such as sarcoma utilizing intraoperative mesh with catheters.

• Dr DeNittis also has started a program in brain cancer in conjunction with our neurosurgeon, Stephen Fedder, M.D., using the Gliasite balloon to boost dose to brain tumor and brain metastases.

• We will soon offer radioimmunotherapy allowing liquid radiation injected into the body. This precisely targets and delivers radiation to patients with lymphoma.

• Patients can attend Man to Man, a support group for prostate cancer sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

• The implementation of the use of radioprotectors such as Ethyol. This drug is used in head and neck cancer, lung cancer, and esophagus cancer and is currently being considered as a protocol for rectal cancer.

• Our Center is involved in the teaching of medical oncology fellows providing rotations on a monthly basis.

• Our Center serves a site for the Gwynedd-Mercy College radiation therapy program teaching future radiation therapists.

In addition, the Lankenau Hospital Radiation Oncology Center provides patients with the opportunity to be placed on nationally sponsored and institutional clinical trials. In 1994 the Lankenau Hospital Cancer Center was designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP). This is one of 50 such programs nationwide. Dr. DeNittis is the principle investigator for the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), which is a national organization sponsoring cutting edge access to trials. We were 5th in the nation accruing patients through the RTOG in 2004.

NEW IN 2007! Introducing Image Guided Radiation Therapy
Lankenau Hospital Brings Image Guided Radiation Therapy to the Philadelphia Suburbs.  The next generation in radiation treatment technology is now at the Lankenau Hospital Cancer Center where radiation oncologists have implemented Image Guided Radiation Therapy or IGRT to target cancerous tumors with real time pretreatment verification, allowing even greater precision than ever before. Lankenau is the first suburban Philadelphia hospital to offer this cutting-edge technology.  Learn More!

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Albert S. DeNittis, M.D., MS Chief of Radiation Oncology Along with developing the above programs Dr. DeNittis has published four book chapters including a chapter in esophageal cancer in the gold standard textbook in radiation oncology, Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology. He also has over 15 publications in peer-reviewed journals. An appointment in 2005 to the New Investigator Representative to the Gastrointestinal Committee.  Serves on the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology(ASTRO) NIH government relations committee. He serves on the review Board of the American Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Marisa Weiss, M.D. Director of Breast Radiation Oncology Our Director of Breast Radiation Oncology is Marisa Weiss, M.D., an oncologist specializing in breast cancer, with an active practice in the Philadelphia region. Throughout her career, Dr. Weiss has demonstrated her longstanding commitment to informing and empowering women with breast cancer. Dr. Weiss is the founder and guiding force behind breastcancer.org. Now serving 500,000 people each month, breastcancer.org is the lifeline to the best medical information about breast cancer 24/7 for all people worldwide. Breastcancer.org's resources have grown to over 2,000 pages of all original content on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and moving beyond. There are monthly Research News and Ask-the-Expert Conferences; a huge online community of intensely active discussion boards and chat rooms, a Celebrity Talking Dictionary by over 60 celebrities making 1,000 complex breast cancer terms easy to hear, understand and say-giving women a common language with their doctors, and a growing relationship with live and print media such as the 8 year consecutive Today Show collaboration. Plus over 500,000 booklets, such as Understanding Your Breast Cancer Pathology Report, have been distributed off-line worldwide. And, all of breastcancer.org's services are provided at no cost. Dr. Weiss has received numerous honors and recognition: Appointed member of the National Cancer Institute Director's Consumer Liaison Group since April 2000 Founder and past President of Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a national nonprofit education and support organization that provides a Survivor's Helpline, conferences, and publications. Dr. Weiss served as LBBC's President for 10 years (1990-2000) Author of the acclaimed book Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Random House, 1997 and 1998) Dr. Weiss's media affiliations and appearances include: Co-producing and/or guest appearing on the NBC Today Show's Special Breast Cancer Series for eight consecutive years (1998-2003) Guest speaker for WebMD's special breast cancer feature every year since 2001 Guest appearance on National Public Radio's Fresh Air with Terry Gross (2000) and Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane. Interviews for numerous print publications include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, People Magazine, Self, Allure, Ladies Home Journal , Cosmopolitan, O Magazine, Associated Press, Oncology Times as well as a wide range of radio and television stations. Featured on the cover of Philadelphia Magazine's "Top Doctors" issue in 2005 and recognized as our region's top physicians in breast radiation oncology. Dr. Weiss received the 2003 Professor of Survivorship Award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is the recipient of many other awards, including several from the American Cancer Society. Dr. Weiss serves on the professional advisory board of the Philadelphia Wellness Community, and she is a past board member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Breastcancer.org has won recognition by Harvard Women's Health Watch as one of the best breast cancer web sites.

To reach the Radiation Oncology Center, please call 610-645-2433.
 

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