For Immediate Release
May 8, 2007

 BUFFALO, NY – The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has become a powerful resource for upgrading the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer practice by developing cancer practice guidelines, measuring their performance and integrating the results into a comprehensive outcomes database. Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has been a leading contributor to these efforts.

RPCI will host members of the NCCN guidelines panels at a symposium on prostate cancer, Monday, May 14, 7:30 am to 12:15 pm in the David C. Hohn, MD, Lecture Hall, Research Studies Center, Elm and Carlton Streets. This free event is open to the public.

Panel members will discuss approaches to identify populations at risk for prostate cancer and to estimate risk of recurrence; treatment of early stage, locally advanced and metastatic disease; and the future of prostate cancer treatment. They will present case reports and encourage audience feedback to highlight application of the guidelines in clinical practice. Those attending will have the opportunity to comment on the guidelines with their developers and provide input for consideration in future updates.

Speakers and their topics are:

Donald L. Trump MD, FACP, RPCI, “Welcome and Overview”

Kristina M. Gregory, RN, MSN, OCN, NCCN, “NCCN Guidelines Overview and Update on Quality Initiatives”

Michael Kuettel, MD, PhD, MBA, and James L. Mohler, MD, RPCI, “Advances in the Treatment of Clinically Localized Disease”

Daniel George, MD, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, “Treatment of Advanced Disease”

Phillip Kantoff, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, “Future Directions”

NCCN Guidelines are widely used in both the academic and community setting to define oncology care. Developed by faculty at NCCN member institutions using an evidence-based process with explicit review of pertinent data, the panels have developed over 100 separate guidelines that affect 97% of all patients with cancer.

This educational activity is designed to meet the needs of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other clinical professionals who manage patients with cancer. To register and to receive a complete agenda, visit www.nccn.org.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world’s leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN member institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of oncology practice so patients improve the quality of their lives.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

 

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