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Marking a major milestone in what has become a fast-growing standard of care in prostate cancer surgery, the chief of urologic oncology at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has completed his 1,000th robotic prostatectomy at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the Flagship Hospital of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey.Robotic prostatectomy allows a surgeon to control a set of robotic arms that hold tiny surgical instruments used to remove the patient's cancer. Unlike the traditional open method of prostate surgery that results in a six-inch scar in the abdominal area, patients who undergo this minimally-invasive surgical technique are left with incisions smaller than a dime.

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Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. With just one donation of a pint of blood, up to three lives can be saved. Donating blood throughout the year is extremely important. But remembering to give really matters during the holiday season when donor turnout usually takes a plunge because of inclement weather, busy shopping schedules, and the arrival of flu season. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to comment on the importance and uses of blood donations.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that women with triple-negative breast cancer and no more than three positive lymph nodes following a mastectomy have a higher risk of local recurrence than similar women whose disease is not classified as triple-negative. The work will be presented as an abstract during the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of ASTRO.

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Songbing Qin, MD, a visiting scientist to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has received the International – U.S. Annual Meeting Scientific Abstract Award at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Dr. Qin was selected for his submission “Motion Pattern for Liver Tumor and its Correlation to External Surrogates.”

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Nationally, more than 160,000 lung cancer deaths are expected by years end, accounting for 28 percent of all cancer deaths. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the risk factors surrounding the disease, as well as treatment and prevention options, during this National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

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Several physicians at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), who are faculty members at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, have been named as a ‘Top Doctor’ by U.S. News & World Report. CINJ is the New Jersey's only Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute and a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

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Database enhancements developed at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are helping physicians use technology to further ensure safety in the delivery of chemotherapy. Known as the Cancer Treatment Regimen Library, this new tool includes more than 400 standard care regimens for more than 100 different cancer categories. It enables clinicians to ensure appropriate treatment doses for patients based on the recommended standard of care and cross-checked against a patient’s medical record.

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For more than a decade, “thinking pink” has been a tradition for Panera Bread® bakery-cafés in their effort to highlight breast cancer awareness in their local communities during the month of October. That campaign this year, with the offering of the Pink Ribbon Bagel. Proceeds from the sale of this unique treat in central and northern New Jersey cafés will benefit the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) Foundation for the sixth year in a row.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the risks, and options for treatment and prevention surrounding breast cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Clinical trials, breast cancer genetics, the latest surgical techniques, and breast cancer disparities are among the topics. Some 227,000 women nationwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and while the disease affects mostly women, men also can be diagnosed with breast cancer.

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A researcher at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been awarded a post-doctoral fellowship grant totaling $92,000 to further explore and better understand how HER2 positive breast cancer metastasizes to the central nervous system. Keneshia Haenssen, PhD, was selected as one of only ten investigators nationwide to receive the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)/Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowship.

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When one thinks of a “quote,” words of wisdom usually come to mind. But in talking about an annual campaign with Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company that benefits The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), the word “quote” takes on a different meaning – one with impact on saving lives. Through October 1, Allstate New Jersey will donate $10 to the CINJ Foundation for every life or auto insurance quote requested through any of Allstate’s New Jersey agents. The effort will support research, treatment, prevention and education programs.

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Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, other than skin cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death in males. It is estimated that approximately 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer will occur in the United States this year, with 32,000 deaths. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the risks, treatments and prevention options surrounding prostate cancer during September, which is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

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September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is a common inherited blood disorder, affecting an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 Americans. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey -- which has a comprehensive program for sickle cell patients -- is making experts available to comment on the condition as well as the latest options in treatment for sickle cell patients.

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More than 12,000 children nationwide will be diagnosed with cancer this year, but the prognosis for these youngsters is not as poor as it used to be. The five-year survival rate for children with cancer is 83 percent, which is up from 58 percent in the mid 1970s. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the latest in comprehensive treatment, research, and service offerings for this unique population during the month of September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

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Bruce G. Haffty, MD, who is a professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been selected as president-elect of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). He will begin four years of service in ASTRO’s top leadership later this fall.

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Controversy remains over the risks involved with indoor tanning, especially in children and young adults. Since sunburn serves as a marker for excessive and skin-cell damaging UV exposure -- which can eventually lead to the development of skin cancer -- investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey took a closer look at a college-aged sample of females and their indoor tanning habits. What they found was that sunburn was a frequently reported experience by these young women when they engaged in this activity.

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Palliative care is a growing research area that involves the control of pain and other symptoms, and of psychological, social and spiritual approaches to improving patient comfort. That is why The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

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Researchers at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are enrolling patients for a clinical trial, which aims to evaluate a new drug for metastatic breast cancer in combination with two chemotherapy agents known as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

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Investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) have partnered with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and launched a clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a combined vaccine and hormone treatment for prostate cancer that is resistant to hormone therapy and not visible on imaging tests such as a CT scan and a bone scan. Researchers will compare these effects to those in patients who are receiving hormone therapy alone.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) has been awarded renewal of its Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This prestigious designation, presently awarded to only 41 such centers nationwide, is granted competitively to institutions characterized by the highest comprehensive scientific excellence in cancer research and the ability to bring research discoveries to patients. CINJ is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state of New Jersey.

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When it comes to getting screened for skin cancer, only one in 14 U.S. Hispanic adults is shown to have ever gone through the process, compared to one in four non-Hispanic white adults. Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows socioeconomic factors such as lack of health insurance and poorer access to healthcare serve as barriers for Hispanics who might otherwise receive this potentially lifesaving check-up. The findings show there is a need to develop interventions to promote skin examinations among Hispanics at risk for skin cancer.

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As Memorial Day Weekend and the start of summer beach season fast approach, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the risks of developing skin cancer and what steps can be taken to prevent it.

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As many prepare to fire up the grill this Memorial Day weekend, experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are offering tips on healthy summer nutrition habits and cooking methods that can be an important part of cancer prevention.

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With recent advancements in technology and biomedical informatics, a more personalized approach to prescribing cancer treatment and developing these therapies is preferred over “one-size-fits-all” methods. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been on the cutting-edge of this movement and is now launching a more concrete effort that is poised to change the way that molecular and genetic information is being used to diagnose and treat cancer – an initiative known as “precision medicine” – also known to many as “personalized medicine.”

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Investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, N.J., have identified and validated a drug compound that reactivates a primary function in a mutated form of the p53 protein – the ability to suppress cancer tumors.

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Research by investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey suggests that post-mastectomy radiation therapy may not have a significant effect on disease recurrence or mortality rates in early-stage breast cancer patients with one to three cancerous lymph nodes. The results are part of a poster presentation being given today at the 13th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons being held in Phoenix.

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Oncology nurses in the outpatient setting face constant challenges in the management of patient care, as many cancer patients receive therapies known to cause allergic reactions or hypersensitivity. When such emergencies arise, oncology nurses need to quickly, competently and safely manage these specific needs. In order to address such a scenario, nurses at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey have developed a teaching method to make mock situations more closely resemble real emergency events.

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While changes in a patient’s fingernails and/or toenails are a relatively uncommon effect of cancer treatment, when they occur these changes can significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. In order to better educate cancer patients about such changes, nurses at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey have developed a teaching tool to share with them.

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A continuing challenge that oncology nurses face is providing clear documentation of patient care. In order to maximize their ability to improve patient outcomes, nurses at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey have developed an electronic documentation tool that integrates a number of key measurement and evaluation resources utilized in the oncology nursing field. The work is being presented at the Oncology Nursing Society’s Annual Congress being held this week.

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Improving patient care and optimizing patient outcomes are continuing goals of oncology nurses -- goals which are usually achievable through enhanced nursing education, including peer-to-peer instruction. At the Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society, a member of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s nursing leadership will be sharing her expertise on symptom management with thousands of oncology nurses from around the country.

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Research by The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, UMDNJ-School of Public Health and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, indicates that tumor size stratified by age, race and hormone receptor status helps predict survival in node-negative breast cancer patients. With this information, researchers say the current breast cancer staging system in node-negative patients can be enhanced.

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Recognizing a great need to support pediatric cancer research, the Hugs for Brady Foundation has made a $100,000 commitment to fund the Hugs for Brady Young Investigator Award in pediatric hematology/oncology at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The two-year grant will support a young academic physician or scientist who shows exceptional ability and promise for doing innovative pediatric cancer research.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) shows that a series of vaccine injections given directly into a pancreatic cancer tumor is shown to be associated with stable disease in patients who are not candidates for surgery. Early results of a clinical trial being conducted at CINJ are being presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) this week.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows a functional link between two major causes of treatment failure in breast cancer, showing the protein behind one of these causes plays a role in increasing the drug resistance properties of the other. The work, which investigators say could help to identify targeted therapies, is being presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that a coordinated effort to block signaling pathways that promote cancer cell growth and survival enhances programmed cell death in melanoma. A combination of an anti-malaria drug and treatment for kidney cancer were at focus.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available during National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 15 to 21) to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options for the various types of cancers that are more prevalent among ethnic and racial minority groups. This week is highlighted by health entities across the country because of high cancer rates and deaths among these populations living in the United States.

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In its ongoing effort to support the fight against cancer in the communities it serves, Panera Bread® has raised nearly $70,000 through its Community Breadbox initiative to benefit treatment, research, prevention and education programs at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. As the designated Community Breadbox Partner for 2011, CINJ was the sole recipient of funds collected in specially-marked coin boxes that sit at the 38 Panera bakery-cafes in central and northern New Jersey last year.

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While celebrity figures including Lance Armstrong, Scott Hamilton and Tom Green have brought their own brand of awareness to testicular cancer in recent years, cancer education advocates across the nation will also be shining a spotlight on this disease during Testicular Cancer Awareness Week (April 1 – 7). The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss various aspects of this disease, which is the most common cancer among men between ages 20 and 34.

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April marks National Cancer Control Month, which focuses on the importance of prevention, treatment and research in the fight against cancer. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss varied topics relating to these areas, including a vaccine strategy for pancreatic cancer, which aims to harness the body’s own immune system through direct tumor injection; a comprehensive overview of genetic testing and counseling; the benefits of early detection through cancer screening; and how to make nutritional lifestyle changes aimed at cancer prevention.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey joins communities, schools and other institutions across the nation in recognizing National Library Week (April 8-14). Sponsored by the American Library Association, this celebration aims to remind everyone that libraries serve as knowledge centers and a readily-available resource for all. CINJ is one of only a handful of the nation’s 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers that have a patient library on site for cancer patients, offering unique resources relating to the diagnosis, management and survivorship of this disease.

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Susan Goodin, PharmD, FCCP, BCOP, associate director of clinical trials and therapeutics at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has received the 2012 Award of Excellence from the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA). The association recognized Dr. Goodin for her leadership and for making a significant, sustained contribution to hematology/oncology pharmacy.

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A researcher from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Princeton University who is helping to advance the molecular understanding of cancer metastasis is being recognized for his work by cancer specialists from around the globe. Yibin Kang, PhD, will receive the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Chicago later this month.

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In an attempt to reduce the number of young people who smoke, youth nationwide will speak up and take action against tobacco use in hundreds of events on March 21, for the 17th Annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Experts at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the UMDNJ-School of Public Health are available for comment on cessation efforts, the development of lung cancer and other health effects of smoking.

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The chief medical officer at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been named as one of this year’s 30 ‘Outstanding Women’ by the National Council for Research on Women. Deborah L. Toppmeyer, MD, a medical oncologist at CINJ who heads a very active breast cancer clinic and conducts clinical research, was selected for her commitment to issues critical to advancing women and women’s health.

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Cancer patients and their families often face such issues as coping with treatment and side-effects; adjusting to changes in the body, relationships and work; making health care decisions and adapting to life after treatment. With the assistance and caring efforts of oncology social workers, patients and families can effectively cope throughout the cancer experience. During this National Professional Social Work Month (March), experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are available to discuss the unique support provided by oncology social workers.

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The five hospitals of Meridian Health, a System Partner of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, have joined forces with CINJ in offering a clinical research study that examines physical activity patterns and eating habits in colorectal cancer patients who have recently finished treatment. The goal of the study is to build the groundwork for future research on health promotion among individuals with colorectal and other cancers.

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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options surrounding this disease, which is expected to result in 143,000 new cases nationwide this year.

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March is National Nutrition Month®. “Get Your Plate in Shape” is the national theme for this year’s month-long reminder that good nutrition is essential for your heath. Experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey will be available to discuss the importance of a healthy diet and its role in cancer prevention.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey on the FDA-approved drugs Celebrex® and Lipitor® -- used respectively for arthritis pain and lowering cholesterol -- shows that these drugs are well tolerated in the treatment of recurrent prostate cancer. Preliminary results from an ongoing Phase II clinical trial will be presented this week during the 2012 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

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Supporting research and treatment at New Jersey’s only NCI-Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Century for the Cure bike ride continues to break records. Surpassing previous years’ efforts, the latest event raised $200,000, and saw 135 cyclists and 100 volunteers take part in the annual trek, which was spearheaded by a stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor.