A lung cancer diagnosis brings a range of emotions and questions. It can feel overwhelming.
At Advocate Radiation Oncology, we recognize that coping with cancer is a journey, and it’s important that you know we are walking alongside you. In fact, one of the first steps we take together is giving our patients some power over the situation, and that starts with education – for both patient and provider.
First, we get to know you, not just your diagnosis. Lung cancer patients may be referred to our office in the very early stages to shrink the tumor before surgery, after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that remain, or to treat lung cancer that has spread to other areas of the body to ease symptoms of the disease. Becoming educated on your history is a priority. Advocate Radiation Oncology focuses on treating the individual, and that means we understand our patients so that we can create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan.
In getting to know you, it’s also important that patients and families learn about our team. We are proud to have world-class physicians on our staff who provide innovative and compassionate care with a patient-centered approach. Many of our board-certified physicians have trained and worked at the nation’s most prestigious institutions and bring decades of experience and passion to your care team as well as to the greater cancer community.
Establishing an individualized cancer treatment plan is one of the best ways we can help patients regain control. Our treatments are guided by the most up-to-date data, most appropriate evidence-based cancer care, and the very latest technologies available in the fight against lung cancer or other cancers.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. It’s also the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about one in four deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
These statistics are difficult to hear. That’s why it’s especially important to ensure patients have access to the most sophisticated, advanced technology on the market.
Patients should understand that with radiation oncology, precision is critically important. The key is destroying tumors without damaging surrounding tissue.
Our practice has made substantial investments in equipment to treat lung and other cancers, including these three state-of-the-art Varian machines:
Halcyon
Using image-guided radiotherapy, the Halcyon’s intelligent automation provides for faster treatment times. Patients find that the smooth motions and soft, ambient lighting helps them stay relaxed and comfortable during their treatments.
TrueBeam
The Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, linear accelerator targets and destroys tumor cells in the body using external-beam radiation.
Identify
A comprehensive administrative technology system, Identify uses patient biometrics at every stage of the treatment process to ensure safe and accurate care. Identify is integrated across all machinery and devices within the practice, streamlining communication between the radiation therapists, machines and patients.
With our patient-first approach and individualized treatment plans, combined with the very latest technologies, Advocate Radiation Oncology is helping our patients gain some control over their illness.
Note: This article was originally published in the November 2021 issue of SWFL Health & Wellness. The monthly magazine provides information that promotes living a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle.
READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Gaining control when diagnosed with lung cancer
About the Author
Dr. Alan Brown’s passion for treating cancer was inspired by the loss of both of his grandmothers to cancer, as well as his mother’s journey in becoming a breast cancer survivor. He understands the emotional and physical anguish that patients and their families endure throughout the journey. He chose to be a radiation oncologist because he wants to find a cure for cancer.
Dr. Brown uses state-of-the-art technology and a multidisciplinary approach to offer his patients the best treatment with a compassionate heart and acute attention to preservation of lifestyle and overall wellness. He also encourages integration of alternative medicine in combination with traditional cancer treatments.
Dr. Brown earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan, where he graduated at the top of his class with the distinction of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School where he also served as Chief Resident of the Harvard Combined Radiation Oncology Program.
He has been recognized on a national level for his community involvement and cancer research with multiple publications and presentations. Dr. Brown currently serves as chairman of the Regional Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic. He is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is a former board member of the diversity committee at Massachusetts General Hospital.
In his free time, Dr. Brown enjoys spending time with his wife, Rahel, his daughters, Liya and Alana, and dogs, Brutus and Lucky. He is an avid traveler and loves giving back to the community through volunteer work and philanthropy.
Additional Information
To learn more about Advocate Radiation Oncology, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. There, you can learn about treatment options, referrals, insurance coverage, billing and more.
Dr. Todd Pezzi first became interested in oncology at a young age after seeing cancer impact his own family. He is passionate about delivering state-of-the-art oncologic care to the residents of Southwest Florida.
Thomas J. Klein, M.D., Ph.D., FACRO is a board-certified radiation oncologist who provides world class cancer treatment in a caring community setting. He values the personal relationships he forms with each of his patients and is committed to helping them in their fight against cancer. Dr. Klein is an advocate for his patients both in and out of the clinic. He has raised awareness on news broadcasts, lobbied for cancer patients’ rights on Capitol Hill, and educated physicians around the country on making better treatment decisions for their patients.
