KSK Cancer Center of Irvine

Happy nurses week to our nurses here at KSK medical and all of the nurses out there! Nurses are heroes & compassion is their superpower! Thank you for all that you do!❤️ 🩺

From all of us here at KSK Cancer Center Of Irvine we are wishing you a happy new year! We hope that you are all staying safe out there!🥳

Yup! 🥳 We LOVE our radiation therapists!!

Happy rad week to our amazing team of radiation therapists! 🥳They play such a critical role in our daily patient care & we are so thankful for the best team! 🥳🥳

For National Radiologic Technology Week we celebrate the important role that all of our medical imaging professionals play in our daily patient care here at KSK Cancer Center of Irvine 🥳🥳🥳

We are so pleased to announce that Dr. Edward Jung will be joining KSK Cancer Center of Irvine in less than two weeks! 🥳🥳🥳

Dr. Edward Jung is coming to us from a thriving practice in Central California. Dr. Jung earned his undergraduate and medical degree from Brown University. He completed his radiation oncology residency in his home state of Michigan at Wayne State University in Detroit. During residency, he received two consecutive scholarship awards from the American Brachytherapy Society in LDR and HDR brachytherapy.
Afterwards, he pursued a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic focusing on stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Dr. Jung is board certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology. He has multiple peer-reviewed journal articles published in the literature and has authored 5 textbook chapters. He mentors medical students and has been invited as a guest speaker at medical symposiums. He is an expert in CNS and prostate cancers, as well as radiosurgery.

During his free time, Dr. Jung is learning how to play golf, enjoys hiking and surfing, and is a rock climber. An avid swimmer, he is a PADI certified SCUBA diver and an American Red Cross certified lifeguard. He enjoys watching NFL football on Sundays 🏈

Remember..if we find it early enough it is CURABLE!😊 We want to catch it while it’s small because there is a much better prognosis if we find it when it’s just starting out. That’s why we recommend annual screenings!👍🏻

Because there are no signals to indicate who will contract the disease in advance, annual screenings for women should start at age 40. For women with a history of breast cancer in their family screenings should start earlier.

Some more facts about breast cancer:

▫️1 in every 8 women is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

▫️41,211 women and 465 men died from breast cancer in the U.S. in 2014.

▫️Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women regardless of race or ethnicity.

▫️Every 29 seconds, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer around the world, and in the U.S., every 2 minutes.

▫️At this time there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. This included women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.

▫️Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does occur. The lifetime risk for men in the U.S. is about 1 in 1,000.

Did you know?

▫️Breast cancer accounts for 3 in 10 cancer cases for women
▫️The most common cancers among women in the world

What are some symptoms you should be looking for ?

▫️Lumps that can be felt
▫️Rashes or crusting
▫️Nipple discharge
▫️Skin irritation or dimpling

Detection:

Breast cancer is usually detected through mammogram or breast ultrasound.

Women who need further testing for a breast lump may be sent for an ultrasound and it is used for the following reason:

▫️Determines if the lump is solid or is a cyst.
▫️Assess the cause of breast symptoms such as lump, swelling, breast pain.
▫️Provides additional information to other test such as a mammogram or breast MRI.
▫️Helps guide the placement of needles for procedures such as biopsy.

Watch the full video here!

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that one in every six men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, about 191,930 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Prostate cancer is very manageable and often curable. More than 98 percent of men with prostate cancer will live more than ten years after diagnosis.
Because surgery and radiation can both be equally effective curative treatments for prostate cancer, it is important to review all of your treatment options. Ask your urologist about surgery and your radiation oncologist about radiation therapy. Learn about the risks and benefits of both to see what best meets your goals balancing cure and quality of life.

https://rtanswers.org/Cancer-Types/Prostate-Cancer?fbclid=IwAR2YVTzlaWXfGVb3SsmRwu2r-JEJ9asu8FDY2ZkD2tumcpo1rl6_MyZqdhU

Prostate Cancer - RTAnswers.org Prostate Cancer - RTAnswers.org

What are some symptoms & signs of prostate cancer ?

▫️Frequent urination
▫️Weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to strain to empty the bladder
▫️The urge to urinate frequently at night
▫️Blood in the urine
▫️Blood in the seminal fluid
▫️New onset of erectile dysfunction
▫️Pain or burning during urination, which is much less common
▫️Discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate
▫️Other noncancerous conditions of the prostate, such as BPH or an enlarged prostate, can cause similar symptoms. Or, the cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is also not related to cancer. Urinary symptoms also can be caused by an infection of the bladder or other conditions.

If cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland, a man may experience:

▫️Pain in the back, hips, thighs, shoulders, or other bones
▫️Swelling or fluid buildup in the legs or feet

Did you know that September is prostate health awareness month ?🤓

In the USA, over 160,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and about 30,000 die from it. Early detection is the key to successful treatment. This awareness period, and the organizations and associations that support it, are responsible for saving an untold number of men’s lives by encouraging them to have a discussion with their healthcare provider about prostate cancer and early detection.

Please comment down below if you have any questions you’d like answered!😊

Interested in learning what dosimetry is? Read more here!

https://t.co/pfb7jvpy0T?amp=1

It's National Medical Dosimetrist's Day! 🥳

Dosimetrists are key members of our radiation oncology team who play a critical role in cancer survivorship & we salute our medical dosimetrists today! Thank you for all that you do for our patients every single day 😊

Welcome to our HDR vault!

Spaceship or linear accelerator? You decide 😏

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the cruise that was planned for 2020 had to be canceled. 🙁However, please join us again next year for this fun filled lifesaving event on Saturday, September 25, 2021!!

KSK Cancer Center of Irvine is proud to have participated in the 20th annual Cruisin' for a Cure Prostate Cancer Screening event. This event is dedicated to Prostate Cancer Screening combined with a display of spectacular vintage and modern cars. There were over 3500 vehicles on display and over 200 vendors and exhibitors, making this the largest single-day charity car show. It was a spectacular turnout!!

During the 2019 cruise, there were over 850 PSA lab draws and over 300 digital re**al exams!! Our physicians contacted over 100 attendees with elevated PSA and/or suspicious DRE. This event is truly LIFESAVING!!

We are very lucky to have the opportunity to work with Cruisin' for a Cure which was established in 2000 by Debra Baker. Through her efforts; over 10,000 men have been tested and thousands have been diagnosed through Digital Re**al Exams and/or PSA lab draw at this remarkable event. For more information, please visit Crusin' for a Cure at www.cruisinforacure.com.

COVID-19
To ensure the greatest safety of patients, employees, physicians and our communities, we want you to know that we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though our infection control and sterilization practices have always been set to high standards, we are closely follow the extra guidelines set out by the CDC and WHO regarding COVID-19 to keeping everyone as safe as possible. We are currently enforcing a "No Visitor" policy at our center, consistent with the directive from Governor Newsom. For the continued health and safety of our patients and staff we appreciate your support on this issue.

Do NOT come to the center If--- you have a fever, cough, body aches and/or shortness of breath. You or someone close to you, have had close contact with someone who recently has been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19). Please call your surgeon for further instructions. If you are having severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, please call 911 and seek emergency care.

SpaceOAR™ FAQ part 3📝

Q: Where is the procedure done and how long does it take?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be implanted during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure in a hospital, surgery center, outpatient clinic or doctor's office prior to the start of radiation treatment. It is typically not a lengthy procedure - usually about 30 minutes.

Q: How is SpaceOAR Hydrogel implanted? Is a patient awake during the procedure?

A: The SpaceOAR Hydrogel is injected as liquid through a needle placed between the re**um and the prostate. It can be implanted under general anesthesia that will put a patient to sleep during the procedure or a local anesthetic that will numb the injection area.

Q: Do patients feel any discomfort or pain during or after the procedure?

A: Patients may feel a pinprick or pressure but should not feel any major discomfort. After the procedure, they may experience some temporary discomfort at the injection site, but most SpaceOAR Hydrogel patients report no prolonged discomfort and are usually able to resume their normal activities shortly after the gel is implanted.

Q: In what type of radiation treatment can SpaceOAR Hydrogel be used?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be used in all types of radiation therapy for the prostate.

Q: How soon after the procedure can patients return to their normal activities?

A: Patients are usually able to go back to normal activities shortly after SpaceOAR Hydrogel is implanted.

Q: How long does the hydrogel remain in the body?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel stays in place for about three months. After about six months, the hydrogel is naturally absorbed into the body and removed through urine.

SpaceOAR™ FAQ part 2📝

Q: Why is SpaceOAR Hydrogel important for patients?

A: When treating prostate cancer patients with radiation therapy, the goal is to kill the cancer cells while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The prostate is next to the re**um and naturally separated by a small space. Due to the proximity, prostate radiation therapy can unintentionally cause damage to the re**um, which can lead to issues with bowel function. SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a gel spacer that temporarily moves the re**al wall farther away from the prostate. By separating the prostate from the re**um, the radiation dose delivered to the re**um is reduced, which may lessen damage to the re**um.

Clinical data demonstrated the benefits of SpaceOAR Hydrogel, including a reduction of re**al injury resulting in maintained bowel function and a higher likelihood to maintain urinary and sexual function.

Q: What are the risks of SpaceOAR Hydrogel?

A: As with any medical treatment, there are some risks involved with the use of SpaceOAR Hydrogel. Potential complications include, but are not limited to: pain associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel injection; pain or discomfort associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel; needle pe*******on of the bladder, prostate, re**al wall, re**um or urethra; injection of SpaceOAR Hydrogel into the bladder, prostate, re**al wall, re**um or urethra; local inflammatory reactions; infection; injection of air, fluid or SpaceOAR Hydrogel intravascularly; urinary retention; re**al mucosal damage, ulcers, necrosis; bleeding; constipation; and re**al urgency.

Q: What is the gel made of? Is it safe?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel is made up of two liquids that, when combined, form a soft gel material mostly made of water. Studies have shown that the material is biocompatible, can be used in the body without causing injury or a reaction and can be safely absorbed by the body. The material that the SpaceOAR Hydrogel is made from has been used in other implants such as surgical sealants used in the eye, brain and spine.

SpaceOAR™ FAQ 📝

Q: What is SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an absorbable gel material that creates a temporary space between the prostate and the re**um, potentially reducing radiation dose to the re**um during prostate cancer radiation. It separates the prostate and re**um and is naturally absorbed by the body in about six months.More than 50,000 patients worldwide have been successfully treated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel.

Q: For what condition is SpaceOAR Hydrogel used?

A: SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an option for men preparing to undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer. It is designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the re**um and help maintain re**al function.

Q: How common is prostate cancer?

A: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. In the United States, more than 183,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 60,000 American men opt for radiation treatment every year to treat their prostate cancer.

Q: How is prostate cancer treated?

A: Prostate cancer is highly treatable and there are a number of treatment options available based on things like the stage of the disease, a person's age, how healthy they are and their personal preferences. Three common options include watchful waiting to see if the tumor grows or spreads, surgery to remove all or part of the prostate, or radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumors.

Q: What are the common side effects of prostate cancer treatment?

A: The side effects of prostate cancer treatment vary based on the treatment method chosen. Surgery and radiation have been shown to be the two most successful treatments for low and intermediate grade prostate cancer. The most common complications following surgery are related to the urinary system, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction,while complications following radiation are often related to re**al radiation injury (bleeding, diarrhea).

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with more than 183,000 new cases diagnosed each year. More than 60,000 American men opt to treat their prostate cancer with radiation every year, while some may choose to have their prostate surgically removed or "watch and wait." Because of the proximity of the re**um to the prostate, prostate radiation therapy can cause unintended damage to the re**um, which can lead to f***l incontinence issues or other long- lasting side effects. These side effects can be a barrier for men who might otherwise seek radiation, but there are options available to help reduce some of these risks.

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is an absorbable gel that creates a temporary space between the prostate and the re**um, designed to reduce radiation dose to the re**um. It is inserted via a minimally invasive procedure and is naturally absorbed by the body in about six months. SpaceOAR Hydrogel has been evaluated in clinical studies and has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing potential side effects of radiation therapy to the re**al area. In a randomized clinical study, men who underwent radiation therapy without SpaceOAR Hydrogel were eight times more likely to experience a decline in bowel, urinary and sexual function when compared to men who underwent radiation therapy with SpaceOAR Hydrogel, at a median follow-up of three years.

Knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostrate cancer screening. The main risk factors include:

▪️Age. As you get older, your risk fo prostate cancer increases. After she 50, your chances of having prostrate cancer is increased.

▪️Race. For reasons not yet determined, black men carry a greater risk of prostate cancer than do men of other races. In black men, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.

▪️Family history. If men in your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. Also, if you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.

▪️Obesity. Obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have advanced disease that's more difficult to treat.

MEET THE DOCTOR 🥼 🩺

Kenneth M. Tokita, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Washington School Of Medicine. He interned at the University of Southern California and underwent residencies at both the Mayo Clinic and the University of Washington. After proudly serving as a US Army physician, Dr. Tokita eventually settled his practice in Southern California. With over 45 years' experience, Dr. Tokita is one of the nation's foremost experts in radiation therapy. He has developed many treatment techniques, such as leading the original spacer material studies that helped develop SpaceOAR. His studies ultimately led to the FDA approval of SpaceOAR. Dr. Tokita has also developed many other treatment techniques that are used today and continues to develop advanced techniques that place him on the leading edge in radiation oncology.

Dr. Tokita's ground-breaking accomplishments, years of expertise and patient care has led to a dream of the most ideal comprehensive medical centers in Southern California. Dr. Tokita was the Founding Director at Torrance Memorial Hospital, St. John's Hospital and currently at KSK Medical.

KSK Medical is a true image of Dr. Tokita's passion, top-notch patient care and "patient first and foremost" philosophy. His passion is so great that it has transpired to his medical care team to share the same philosophy.