Dr. Albert Mak named Top Doctor again!

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Albert Mak for being named “Top Doctor” by U.S. News and Report!

The U.S. News and Report identified the nation’s best doctors based on a peer nomination process.  ”At the Pasadena CyberKnife Center, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of patient care and support before, during and after their treatment.  It is such an honor to be recognized by your peers and I am humbled by their support!” stated Dr. Mak.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS Dr. Mak!

Hot Weekend in So. Cal

It seems like Summer has finally arrived in Southern California!  According to the Pasadena Star News, temperatures are expected to hit the mid- to upper- 90s in the much of the San Gabriel Valley, while the Foothill areas can expect to top 100 degrees.  Please follow the following tips for staying safe during the heat wave:

• Stay hydrated!!!  Drink plenty of water and other fluids (alcoholic beverages don’t count)
• Wear appropriate clothing such as light-weight and/or loose-fitting clothing
• Change your exercise routine to early morning or late evening
• Stay indoor (air-conditioned if possible).  If you don’t have a/c in your home, go to the mall, watch a movie at the theater or stop by a community cooling center
• Make sure to wear sunscreen when you are outside
• Check in on your family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill, and don’t forget your pets
• NEVER leave anyone in a parked car.  Not a child, not a pet, not anyone!!!

 

New Patient Testimonial =)

We just received another wonderful patient testimonial =)  Today is a happy day =)

“I had no idea what to expect with the new treatment. I was very pleasantly surprised that the whole experience has been so easy. I had no pain or after effects of any kind. The doctors and the staff have been most helpful and took good care of me. All my questions were answered and I have felt comfortable at all times throughout the procedure.” 

Are you a morning smoker?

The following story was written by Remy Melina, contributor at MyHealthNewsDaily on Aug 8, 2011.  You can follow Remy Melina on Twitter @remymelina, and follow MyHealthNewsDaily @MyHealth_MHND. 

For some smokers, having a cigarette is an early morning ritual, but this habit may be even more harmful than smoking later in the day.

Smoking soon after waking up increases the risk of developing lung, head and neck cancers, two new studies show.

“These smokers have higher levels of nicotine and possibly other tobacco toxins in their body, and they may be more addicted than smokers who refrain from smoking for a half hour or more,” study researcher Joshua Muscat of the Penn State College of Medicine, said in a statement.

In an effort to determine why only some smokers get cancer, researchers investigated whether how soon a person has his or her first cigarette after waking up affects their risk of lung, head and neck cancers — independent of how often they smoke and for how long they’ve had the habit.

One study included 4,775 lung cancer patients and 2,835 other regular cigarette smokers who didn’t have lung cancer. People who smoked within 30 minutes of waking up were 1.79 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who waited more than 60 minutes to light up, the study showed.

And people who smoked 31 to 60 minutes after waking up were 1.31 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who waited at least an hour, the study said.

A second study included 1,055 people with head and neck cancer and 795 people who had smoked but didn’t have head and neck cancer. Those who smoked within 30 minutes of waking were 1.59 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than those who waited an hour, the study showed.

And those who smoked 31 to 60 minutes after waking were 1.42 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer  than those who waited at least 60 minutes.

Researchers said that the results may help recognize smokers who are at an especially high risk of developing lung, head and neck cancers, and who would therefore benefit from targeted smoking cessation programs.

Still, smoking cigarettes anytime increases one’s likelihood of developing various types of cancers, the researchers said.

The findings are published today (Aug. 8) in the journal Cancer.

Pass it on: Those who smoke soon after waking up in the morning may have a higher risk of developing lung, head and neck cancers.

I-Team: Dear insurance company, please save my life

I-Team: Dear insurance company, please save my life.

The 2011 Top Docs List

The Pasadena Magazine has published the full list of its 2011 Top Docs on their website.  This year’s Top Docs list includes over 600 physicians in 70 specialties.  You can download the list by clicking on the following link:

http://www.pasadenamonthly.com/files/9913/1110/3483/TopDocs_PAS_June11_updated%203.pdf

 

 

 

The Cancer Support Community in Pasadena

Our Medical Director, Dr. Albert Mak, was invited to speak at the Cancer Support Community in Pasadena (formerly known as the Wellness Community) yesterday.  He gave a presentation on the “CyberKnife Radiosurgery Treatment” and a brief overview of “How to Manage Side Effects”.

The attendees learned about the difference between radiation therapy and radiosurgery, different types of radiosurgery treatments available, an introduction of the CyberKnife treatment, and how to manage side effects.  Most of the attendees have not heard of the CyberKnife treatment before and after listening to the presentation, they were all very impressed with what the CyberKnife could offer.  The presentation went very well and we want to thank everyone for attending.  It’s very nice meeting each of you and we wish you all the best of luck and happiness for the future! =)

Dr. Mak speaking at the Cancer Support Community workshop

We would also like to once again thank Jill at the Cancer Support Community Pasadena for giving us the opportunity to speak at their workshop.  The Cancer Support Community is a great place for people who are affected by cancer to get psychological and social support.  Their mission is to help those affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being through participation in a professional program of emotional support, education and hope.  They provide professionally-led programs of support to people with cancer and their loved ones no matter what kind of cancer or where they are on their cancer journey.  Participants can choose to participate in a variety of programs designed to help them learn more about cancer and its treatment, as well as connecting with and learning from others as you face cancer together.  In addition to educational workshops like the one we just did, they also offer “mind and body” classes ranging from yoga, tai chi to painting and knitting.  All the workshops and classes at the Cancer Support Community are provided free of charge!  Remember, you don’t have to fight cancer alone, there are resources available in the community that aim to help those affected by cancer.  For more information on the Cancer Support Community, please visit their website at www.cscpasadena.org.

New Patient Testimonial

We just received a testimonial from one of our prostate cancer patients, and would like to share his comments with you all:

“The staff at the Pasadena CyberKnife Center was very patient and accommodating.  They worked very hard to make sure that the entire treatment process went as smoothly as possible.  They addressed all my concerns and issues promptly and fully.    They also made patient comfort a high priority in their center and I was comfortable the entire time.  The treatment itself was not stressful and the side effects is very minimal.  Thank you for everything!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear J:

Thank you so much for the wonderful testimonial you gave us.  We wish you all the best!

From Team PCC =)

Pasadena Top Doctors!!!

We would like to congratulate Dr. Albert Mak, Dr. Igor Fineman, Dr. Ana Grace and Dr. Sara Kim for being named “Pasadena Top Doctors” by the Pasadena Magazine!  Thank you for all of your hard work and commitment to excellent patient care!  Congratulations again and go Team PCC!!!

 

Lung Metastases Case Study

Here’s another case study we would like to share:

Amy (name has been changed to protect patient’s privacy) is a 48-year-old female diagnosed with bone sarcoma and underwent below-knee amputation of right leg 3 years ago.  Unfortunately, she developed multiple metastases in both lungs a year later.  She decided to undergo two aggressive surgeries and more than 10 lesions were removed from each lung.  She also received chemotherapy following the surgeries.

Earlier this year, Amy was found to have 2 recurrent lung metastases which are located in areas of the lung that are difficult to resect.  Her lung function has greatly decreased in the past 2 years due to the surgeries she underwent.  As a result, she was skeptical and went in search for other options.  One of her friends, who was recently treated at our center, advised her to contact us.  After consulting with Dr. Albert Mak and her medical oncologist, it was determined that she was a good candidate for the CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment.  Amy was still very nervous about this radiosurgical procedure we recommended because she did not want to undergo further surgery.  Although the name CyberKnife suggests scalpels, operating rooms and recovery time, it actually involves no incisions, no anesthesia, no pain and no hospital stay.  The CyberKnife is indeed a knifeless outpatient procedure.  After careful consideration and weighing her options, Amy decided rather quickly to have the CyberKnife treatment.

Due to the size and location of her lesions, we recommended two separate courses of treatment.  During the first course of treatment, we focused on treating the larger tumor.  The first course was only 3 days, and each treatment took about 45 minutes.  The CyberKnife treatment is a painless and non-invasive procedure which was a big thumbs up for Amy.  Unlikely other radiosurgical devices, no immobilization device is needed for CyberKnife.  The robot continuously tracked Amy’s lung lesions and adjusted for movement.  As a result of this unique tracking capability only available with the CyberKnife system, Amy did not have to hold her breath during treatment and was able to breathe normally and relax comfortably.

Amy tolerated the short course of 3-day treatment very well.  She also underwent chemotherapy during the CyberKnife treatment.  It has been a month since her first treatment, and we are happy to report that the follow-up CT scan shows that the tumor was reduced by half.  She feels very optimistic and hopeful for the future, and will start her second course of treatment next week.

If you would like more information on CyberKnife treatment for lung cancer and pulmonary metastases, please do not hesitate to contact our center at 626-768-1021.