Hoag Urologic Oncology Program

Hoag Urologic Oncology Program World Class. Right Here.

Your Giving Makes a Difference With the support of philanthropy, the Urologic Oncology Program at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute offers a level of care that rivals and often exceeds that of even the most renowned academic institutions in a compassionate, patient-first environment. In addition to advanced technologies and expertise in bladder, kidney, testicular, and other urologic cancers, Hoag has the largest prostate cancer program in Orange County and the fourth largest in the state of California. Hoag’s multidisciplinary team of urologic oncology specialists are committed to a highly collaborative and personalized approach, emphasizing physician-to-physician communication and offerings that support patients in navigating the complexities of cancer care.

On the Technological Forefront Hoag’s Prostate Cancer Program recently began offering Focal One® Robotic Focal HighIntensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), which is the most advanced technology for precisely targeted ablation of prostate cancer. With HIFU, prostate cancer that is less aggressive or localized to one side of the prostate can be precisely targeted non-invasively. This allows for just a portion of the prostate to be treated instead of the whole prostate, decreasing side effects and improving quality of life.

Philanthropy also allowed Hoag to be one of the first health care institutions in the nation to offer the most advanced radiation therapy available, the ViewRay MRIdian® linear accelerator.

Its MRI imaging equips clinicians with real-time, high-resolution images of the patient’s tumor and surrounding areas during radiation therapy. Because of its ability to depict the tumor’s precise location and movement, the ViewRay is a game changer for prostate cancer, significantly reducing side effects commonly associated with radiation.

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I want patients with more advanced disease to know that they can still be cured. If the right thing is done at the right time, we are seeing great success. The tools and expertise are right here at Hoag.”

– Jeffrey Bassett, MD, MPH Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology

A Recognized Leader in Minimally Invasive Surgery As Orange County’s highest surgical-volume program for prostate cancer, the surgical urologic oncologists at Hoag are leaders in the adoption of pioneering surgical techniques, including single-port robotic surgery. A newer approach in robotic surgery, single-port surgery allows surgeons to perform complex surgeries with one incision instead of multiple, which speeds recovery time, reduces pain and blood loss, and improves overall outcomes. In some cases, patients can go home the same day as their surgery.

Thanks to donor funding, Hoag has more single-port da Vinci robots than any other institution in the country and has performed more single-port surgeries for urologic cancer than anyone west of the Mississippi.

“Philanthropy helps our program to be able to purchase the new technology as soon as it comes out. The expense is a limiting factor for a lot of hospitals. When you have the ability to invest in these advances early, it allows you to push the needle forward better, and you’re better prepared for the next big thing.”

– Robert Torrey, MD, Hoag Surgical Urologic Oncologist

A Better Way to Screen for Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer, yet screening tools and processes have been limited historically. Seed funding from Hoag Innovators, a group of philanthropists dedicated to advancing health care innovation at Hoag, is helping launch the Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic, designed to bridge the gap between basic screening in a primary care office and advanced screening in a urologic oncology office.

A dedicated nurse practitioner will see patients and provide screenings at the clinic using an array of advanced tools. Some prostate cancers are low grade and do not warrant treatment, and the Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic helps ensure the right screenings are offered to the right patients.

Clinical Trials Expand Options Cancer therapeutics are evolving rapidly, with new drugs for urologic cancers progressing particularly quickly. As the Hoag Family Cancer Institute continues to grow its portfolio of clinical trials, including some that are available only at Hoag or a small number of centers, patients with advanced prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular, or other urologic cancers benefit from expanded access to cancer therapies that may offer a more effective treatment.

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There’s something special about the care at Hoag.

Patients get personalized care, which is especially important in oncology. Our goal is to bring all the benefits of an academic setting but deliver in an individualized way where patients know they are not just a number.”

– David Benjamin, MD, Hoag Urologic Medical Oncologist

In Gratitude With an eye to the future, the Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s focus on providing the most advanced and innovative cancer care continues to grow alongside Hoag’s expansion in Orange County. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our dedicated donors. Because of you, Hoag is uniquely positioned to shape urologic cancer care for generations to come. Thank you for being bold with us in caring for our community.

To learn more about how you can support Hoag’s Urologic Oncology Program, contact Tommy Muzzy, development officer, Hoag Hospital Foundation, at (949) 764-7035 or Tommy.Muzzy@hoag.org. hoaghospitalfoundation.org