Download Cancer Care To Our Patients And Has Improved Clinical

January 2010
Dear Colleague,
To commemorate our two year anniversary of joining the Casa Grande medical community, we have developed
this newsletter to update you and your staff about Cancer Treatment Services Arizona (CTSA). We are committed to
providing the best in cancer care to the region by continuously investing in the newest technologies to ensure our
treatment options rival those of top cancer centers nationwide. Our new equipment has allowed us to provide exceptional
cancer care to our patients and has improved clinical outcomes. Some of our newest technologies include RapidArc™ from
Varian Medical Systems and Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx™) from Xoft, Inc.
In addition to enhancing our technology, we have devoted our efforts to take an active role within the community
of Casa Grande. Since our inception in late 2007, we have collaborated with the American Cancer Society to develop a
patient resource center within our facility. This resource center provides our patients and their families the ability to
research, understand and discuss their cancer with our staff and other professionals. We have also coordinated patient
survivor meetings including prostate cancer support groups. Finally, CTSA continues to work with the Desert Cancer
Foundation of Arizona to provide the community with services such as free prostate screenings. The next free screening
will occur early 2010.
We anticipate our advancements, relationships and endeavors within the region will continue to grow as our
clinic matures. We appreciate your continued support and welcome the opportunity to serve the patients of Pinal County
and beyond.
Sincerely,
Ajay Bhatnagar, M.D.
Board Certified in Radiation Oncology
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Michael J. Stanek, D.O., FACOI
Board Certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology
Medical Oncology
The Best Care, Close to Home.
In the past two years, Cancer Treatment Services Arizona’s medical oncology program has taken
great strides to ensure that patients receive first class treatment and care, by providing the latest
chemotherapy regimens, supportive care medication and in depth patient education. Our
treatment options are based on clinical pathways and protocols that are continually updated by
leading oncologists.
World Class Accommodations.
CTSA’s state-of-the-art facility provides the most advanced forms of medical oncology treatments
while making patients feel comfortable and secure. Our goal is to provide our patients with a
Michael J. Stanek, D.O., FACOI
Board Certified Medical
Oncologist / Hematologist
convenient and restful environment while receiving their treatment. Our modern chemotherapy
suite is equipped with eight state-of-the-art treatment chairs and two private rooms. Each chair
Dr. Stanek is a member of
and room includes a personal LCD TV with an individual sound system. A nearby nourishment
the American Society of
center, within the chemotherapy suite, provides patients with fulfilling snacks and beverages
Clinical Oncology (ASCO),
during their treatments.
American Society of
Hematology (ASH),
We also provide a patient resource center for our patients and their families that is stocked with
insightful publications, brochures and other up-to-date literature. Additionally, a computer is
designated in the room for researching cancer topics online.
American Osteopathic
Association and Arizona
Osteopathic Association.
Dr. Stanek is also a
distinguished fellow and
mentor in the American
Physician Expertise.
The clinical staff at CTSA offers patients superior care with over 50 years of combined medical
College of Osteopathic
Internists and is a fellow in
experience. Our high nurse-to-patient ratio ensures that patients always receive personalized
the International Society of
attention during their visits. Dr. Stanek spends as much time as needed to discuss the
Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
individualized treatment plans with the patients and their families. He will explain the potential
benefits and risks of his recommended treatment plan and will answer any questions that they
may have.
Radiation Oncology
Better Technology, Better Care.
In recent years, the field of radiation oncology has evolved significantly. Cancer Treatment
Services Arizona (CTSA) has been at the forefront of this progress by bringing leading edge
technologies and superior treatment options to its patients. The Trilogy™ Stereotactic System by
Varian Medical Systems is our state-of-the-art linear accelerator that provides CTSA the capability
to provide various treatment options to patients such as Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT),
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Body
Radiotherapy (SBRT), 3D Conformal Therapy and Electron Beam Therapy. In addition to the Trilogy
system, we are the first center in the southwestern region of the U.S. to adopt RapidArc™
technology, which substantially improves radiation therapy treatment times. The Trilogy with
RapidArc is up to eight times faster than comparable systems and can treat any area of the body.
Ajay Bhatnagar, M.D.
Board Certified Radiation
Oncologist
Finally, CTSA is the first and only facility to offer Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx™) by Xoft, Inc in
Pinal County. This newest innovation in brachytherapy offers heightened precision and a reduced
treatment schedule.
RapidArc™, Rapid Treatment.
It has been over a year since we implemented RapidArc at CTSA, and we have experienced
firsthand the favorable outcomes this technology has provided to our patients. RapidArc
radiotherapy treatment is delivered with just a single rotation of the treatment machine around
the patient. During this rotation the treatment beam is continually shaped and reshaped according to the size, shape, and position of the tumor within the body. The use of RapidArc technology
decreases treatment times by up to 60%, while maintaining the same level of precision and
therapeutic efficacy. We have had over 150 patients treated with RapidArc for prostate, lung, and
pelvic malignancies this year. As a result of our extensive experience with RapidArc, we have
received national recognition and were featured in an article by Varian that was published in the
December 2009 issue of International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics.
As Adjunct Assistant Professor
of Radiation Oncology at
University of Pittsburgh School
of Medicine, Dr. Bhatnagar
continues to be involved in
academic research activities.
At 2009 ASTRO, Dr. Bhatnagar
had an oral presentation on
The Xoft Touch.
Most recently, CTSA has implemented Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx™). In comparison to
conventional brachytherapy, eBx technology eliminates the need for radioactive seeds. Shielding
requirements are very minimal, which means that the radiation therapy team is able to remain in
the treatment room with the patient without being exposed to radiation. Additionally, it offers a
his study “What do Patients
Want From Their Radiation
reduced treatment schedule and reduced exposure to healthy tissue and organs. CTSA is the only
Oncologists: Final Results from
site to use all three platforms of eBx treatment including, breast, gynecological and skin.
a Prospective Randomized
Moreover, CTSA is the first site to enroll patients in the eBx clinical trial for skin cancer in which
Ajay Bhatnagar, M.D. is the Principal Investigator.
Study” which received
significant attention and press
coverage.
We are located across from Palm
Creek RV Resort and off of Henness
Road by the Mainstay Suites.
1876 East Sabin Drive, Suite 10
Casa Grande, AZ 85122