MDNews - Greater Boston

SPECIAL FEATURE Merger Between Lowell General Hospital and Saints Medical Center Boosts Prostate Cancer Care By Chris Cheney A TEAM APPROACH HELPS PATIENTS UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. D OCTORS AT LOWELL General Hospital say one of the benefits of last year's merger with Saints Medical Center has been a boost in the quality and effectiveness of prostate cancer care. "It's helped consolidate all the resources instead of having two cancer centers in the area," says Matthew Cohen, MD, a urologist from Merrimack Urology Associates who performs prostate cancer surgeries at the hospital. Dr. Cohen and others who work at Lowell General Hospital say the merger has helped improve teamwork between specialists, which is critically important in the multidisciplinary treatment of prostate cancer. Matthew Katz, MD, (left) and Murat Anamur, MD 10 | Greater Boston MD NEWS I MDNEWS.COM "Prostate cancer has the characteristic of growing very slowly, so you really have the luxury of time when deciding what the best course of treatment is," he says. "The patient is more involved in the decision making than is the case in most other forms of cancer. That's why it's important to have a good team." Matthew Katz, MD, a radiation oncologist originally from Saints Medical Center, says a multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer care plays a key role in patient outcomes because there are several treatment options for both early-stage malignancies and advanced cases. "There has been a realization that people need to get information on all of their options," he says. "The specialists need to work closely to educate patients well so they are empowered to make informed decisions about their treatment options." Lowell General Hospital offers a wide range of options for prostate cancer care. Dr. Katz says urologists and radiation oncologists collaborate on early-stage cases, helping patients choose from a suite of treatments that includes active surveillance, surgery and external-beam radiation. And the hospital plans to revive a state-of-the-art brachytherapy program, which involves precise placement of radioactive material into the prostate. For advanced prostate cancer cases, medical oncologists led by Murat Anamur, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Services, are added to the caregiver team. Unlike urologists and radiation oncologists — who primarily focus on an anatomical approach when medical interventions are deemed necessary — Dr. Katz says medical oncologists "think more globally," providing systemic treatments that include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy. "Our nursing staff has an important role in helping patients with symptom management and survivorship care," he explains. Dr. Katz believes having excellent prostate cancer care treatment available locally to Lowell area residents is an invaluable resource for his patients because radiation treatment

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