Go to The Memorial Hospital of Salem County to receive high quality care for prostate cancer.
That was the message that a Burlington, New Jersey man, who recently was diagnosed with prostate cancer, was given by his primary physician. He found out that his doctor was correct.
Nearly half a year ago Melvin Tucker, 69, learned that his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was too high — an indicator of potential prostate cancer.
“I was concerned going into the appointment that something could be wrong. I had been having some issues,” said Mr. Tucker. “It led to the doctor checking me out.”
Mr. Tucker never previously had issues with his prostate.
“My doctor told me that I should see specialist Dr. Stuart Diamond at the Center for Advanced Urology,” said Mr. Tucker, a retired 30-year employee of US Pipe and Foundry Co. in Voorhees, NJ.
Mr. Tucker took his doctors advice and saw Dr. Diamond, who screened Mr. Tucker and determined he had prostate cancer.
Stuart Diamond, MD, completed his fellowship in Urology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NY. He completed his general surgery residence and urology residence at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. He earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College in Albany, NY.
Though Mr. Tucker felt uneasy about his diagnosis, he took the advice of an old friend.
“Thankfully I have a close friend who went through a seed implant procedure before, and he told me that I really should do this — so I did,” said Mr. Tucker. “My friend gave me hope, because it has been a few years since he had it done, and he’s still doing great.”
There are two types of brachytherapy procedures: permanent low dose radiation (LDR) and temporary high dose radiation (HDR). LDR is performed at MHSC, using iodine-125 and palladium-103 stored in titanium cases usually referred to as brachytherapy seeds —the seeds are permanently left inside the prostate gland. While in the prostate, the seeds will continuously emit low levels of radiation.
Stephen Arrigo, MD, MHSC staff physician and a member of Radiation Oncology Associates, was responsible for implementing the “stranded” Permanent Seed Implant.
“What makes our procedure unique is the stranding of our radioactive ‘seeds.’ The use of stranding seeds was a major advance in this procedure,” said Dr. Arrigo, who has a decade of experience with Permanent Seed Implants, and performs the procedure for MHSC patients.
“In the past we would not link the seeds, resulting in some seed migration (leaving the intended area). Now, by linking we have less seed migration — and really a better coverage area.”
Dr. Arrigo completed his fellowship in Radiation/Oncology from Penn and Fox Chase Cancer Center. He completed his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his medical degree from New York University. He is also on staff at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.
MHSC has performed Permanent Seed implants for five years. MHSC is the only hospital in Salem County that performs the “stranded” Permanent Seed Implant.
“It’s been a few months now, and I am back to feeling like myself,” said Mr. Tucker. “I don’t even know where they went in for the surgery — there’s no scar.”
According to information published by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, the biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) for patients who receive a higher quality Permanent Seed Implant is over 98 percent — 6 percent higher than patients receiving lower quality procedures.
“If patients are interested or to see if they are eligible for the new procedure, contact your primary physician, who can refer you,” said Dr. Diamond.
“Patients are then qualified for the procedure by several determining factors. The procedure is not for all cases, but a great option for some patients,” said Dr. Diamond.
For more information call (856) 339– 6299 or visit www.mhschealth.com .