SMITHTOWN, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North Shore-LIJ Health System today announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with North Shore Radiation Therapy, CyberKnife of Long Island, which has offices in Smithtown and Greenlawn in Suffolk County, Long Island. The practice is now affiliated with the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute and the health system's Department of Radiation Medicine.
The affiliation is part of North Shore-LIJ's ongoing expansion of outpatient cancer services across the metropolitan area.
The Smithtown office has been offering CyberKnife radiosurgery since 2010. CyberKnife procedures involve high doses of radiation targeting a patient's tumor as an alternative to surgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery often achieves comparable or better outcomes when compared with other treatment options
As a result of North Shore-LIJ's affiliation with these facilities, their clinicians can take part in more clinical trials that give their patients access to new, advanced treatments.
"Adding these medical practices and the CyberKnife technology to our fold enhances the already high-quality cancer care we offer to our patients and their loved ones," said Louis Potters, MD, chair of the North Shore-LIJ Department of Radiation Medicine, and co-director of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute.
"This arrangement broadens our resources and provides the opportunity for the best local cancer care for the Suffolk population," said Richard Byrnes, MD, medical director of what is now known as North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute – North Shore Radiation Therapy, CyberKnife of Long Island. "The shared decision making with North Shore-LIJ experts means that patients will receive world-class cancer care close to their homes."
The facilities include Dr. Byrnes and Heather Zinkin, MD. Together, they treat more than 500 patients annually, including those with all types and stages of cancer.
The North Shore-LIJ Department of Radiation Medicine is both nationally and internationally recognized for its safety and quality cancer care as well as for its innovative radiation oncology research. The radiation medicine department has centers in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties, as well as Manhattan, making it one of the area's largest academic radiation oncology departments.
The North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute diagnoses and treats more than 16,000 cancer patients a year, which makes it one of the largest cancer programs in the New York metropolitan area.
To schedule an appointment at either the Smithtown or Greenlawn facility, call 631-427-2273 or the North Shore-LIJ Department of Radiation Medicine at 516-470-7190.