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Clinical Services
The division of Urologic Oncology is dedicated to bring the most innovative and state of the art cancer treatment to our patients. Our expertise encompases all tumors of the genitourinary tract. Our division is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, as our nationally and internationally recognized experts treat the entire array of prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, urethral and penile malignancies.
Dr. Reza Ghavamian has led the Division of Urologic Oncology for the past 10 years. Fellowship trained in Urologic Oncology, Dr Ghavamian provides expertise in the surgical treatment of the most complex of urologic malignancies. The division works in close cooperation and in tandem with our colleagues in medical oncology and radiation oncology to provide a multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach to cancer care which is the gold standard method of cancer approach in 2008. We meet regularly to discuss and formulate treatment plans for the most complex of cases. Our division cooperates in concert with other departments including radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology, and pathology in a multidisciplinary approach, meeting regularly to review each patient's individual case. In this fashion, we customize the most effective and safe treatment plan for each patient in order to maximize his or her outcome.
Within the division, the most technologically advanced surgical treatments for all cancer sites are offered. Minimally invasive including laparoscopic and robotic procedures are routinely offered for prostate, bladder and kidney malignancies. Dr. Ghavamian started our comprehensive laparoscopic program in 2001 and the robotics program in 2005. Since then more than a 1,000 minimally invasive surgical procedures for urologic malignancies have been performed in our department. Most importantly, for cases that are not amenable to minimally invasive surgery, traditional open surgery for all disease sites is offered. Dr. Ghavamian provides a unique perspective to the surgical treatment of urologic malignancies as he is perhaps the only urologic oncologist in the New York metro area who performs the full array of laparoscopic, robotic and major open urologic procedures for malignancy on all genitourinary organs. The range of expertise is from laparoscopic kidney surgery to robotic prostatectomy to large open renal tumor resections with inferior vena cava thrombus.
The following are the most common malignancies we treat:
Prostate Cancer
With approximately 220,000 new cases diagnosed each year, prostate cancer ranks second as the most common cancer among men after skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths behind lung cancer. In 2001, Dr Ghavamian established the first laparoscopic radical prostatectomy program in New York. Since then, Montefiore Medical Center has been recognized as a pioneer in minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery. This positioned us at an extraordinary advantage, as we had years of experience with minimally invasive prostate surgery with over 300 cases before robotic surgery, which we began in 2005 when we acquired the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. Many surgeons at other facilities had to learn minimally invasive and robotic surgery simultaneously, but for us, it was a seamless transition to embrace robotics.
All surgical forms of prostate cancer treatment are offered at Montefiore Medical Center, from nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (open) to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and nerve-sparing robotic radical prostatectomy. Robotic surgery offers tremendous benefits to the patient, including less blood loss, less pain, a faster discharge and recovery. It provides a magnified, 3-dimensional view for surgeons to have improved visualization of the procedure for greater accuracy. As for results, the robotic prostatectomy has demonstrated to be equivalent if not than the standard open surgery and our experience shows the return of continence and potency might be faster with robotic surgery leading to superb quality of life. Currently, all prostate cancer operations are performed robotically at our center.
Kidney Cancer
Montefiore Medical Center is at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery for kidney cancers, and we receive referrals for treatment from the New York metro area. We are one of few centers in the area to offer laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (nephron-sparing surgery) for small and complex kidney tumors. We also perform open radical nephrectomy with or without vena caval tumor thrombus resections for large tumors, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, and laparoscopic nephroureterctomy, which is the removal of the kidney and ureter for renal pelvic urothelial carcinoma. We have recently expanded our robotics program to the treatment for renal malignancies with robotic partial nephrectomy and robotic nephroureterctomy.
Bladder Cancer
Nearly 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, with the incidence of it most prevalent among males, particularly those over the age of 70. Our highly trained surgeons at Montefiore Medical Center perform all possible surgical solutions open, laparoscopic, and robotic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Robotic radical cystectomy is the procedure of choice for appropriately selected bladder cancer patients, but for those who are not candidates for robotic surgery open radical cystectomy is offered. All forms of urinary diversions such as ileal conduit, catheterizable pouches and neobladders are offered. Our preferred method of choice for continent diversion (where the patient urinates naturally through the urethra) is an orthotopic neobladder, a "new bladder" constructed with intestine. In this way we are able to provide our patients with excellent cancer care and quality of life.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. It is the most prevalent malignancy in men between 15 and 35 years old, but overall it is fairly uncommon with only 8,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. We offer the full range of treatment for it including: radical inguinal orchiectomy surgery (removal of the tumor and the testicle), external radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment of testicular cancer depends on the type of tumor and the stage of its progression. Complex retroperitoneal lymph node resections as primary therapy and salvage therapy after chemotherapy is offered.
Penile Cancer
Montefiore Medical Center treats a relatively larger portion of these patients, compared to other hospitals in the New York Metropolitan area. Due to our inner hospital setting and our demographics. All surgical treatment options from local excision and radical resections are offered. We have experience in complex and large groin resections for metastatic penile carcinoma. The treatments are coordinated with radiation oncology, medical oncology and our department of dermatology provides Moh's microsurgical option for local disease eradication.
Ophthalmology Technician
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
I work for a unique department that cares for patients at all stages of life. In addition to glasses and contact lenses, our diverse specialty practice provides preventative care and treatment for diseases that affect the eyes.
[more]
Cancer Types - Grading of Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer in African-American Men
Cancer Types - Testicular Cancer
Cancer Types - Surgery For Prostate Cancer
Conditions A-Z - Cystocele (Fallen Bladder)
Cancer Types - Diagnostic Procedures For Prostate Cancer
Cancer Types - Anatomy of the Prostate Gland
