OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2013. Lawrence Hochman, D.O., board certified radiation oncologist and radiation services director for Florida Cancer Affiliates (FCA), an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, is the first U.S. physician to receive recognition from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Focused Practice Recognition in Brachytherapy (FPRB) program.

The program is a new initiative from the ABR that allows its diplomats the opportunity to earn an additional credential and acknowledgement of advanced brachytherapy skills, expertise, and practice focus above and beyond standard ABR certification.

Brachytherapy treats cancer from inside the body by temporarily placing radioactive sources directly into or adjacent to tumors. This allows delivery of a high dose of radiation with minimal exposure to the healthy surrounding tissue. It also reduces treatment duration for certain cancer types. Brachytherapy has shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of cancers, including breast, cervical, head and neck, lung, central nervous system, skin and prostate, among others.

Dr. Hochman is a highly skilled brachytherapy practitioner who has dedicated much of his professional life to learning and practicing this very effective therapy. He was the first physician to bring high dose rate brachytherapy to Pasco County several years ago, and he now uses it to treat many of his patients who are appropriately selected for the procedure.

Dr. Hochman's treatment suite at Florida Cancer Affiliates is fully equipped to ensure immediate and optimum access to a wide range of brachytherapy services, and his technical team and support personnel are well trained in the procedures. This allows him to offer many of his patients this innovative treatment in a comfortable, outpatient setting rather than in the hospital.

"Brachytherapy is a vital component of today's cancer treatment arsenal," said Dr. Hochman. "It is important to provide a variety of treatment options, like brachytherapy, to allow patients to choose what best meets their needs. It is also important to deliver these highly effective treatments in the comfort of a community setting to provide a better patient experience during what is often a very difficult, stressful time."

The Focused Practice Recognition in Brachytherapy Initiative is expected to have an important national impact on brachytherapy quality assurance and policy. Diplomats who achieve recognition must meet strict program criteria, including case-mix and brachytherapy volume requirements, as well as additional medical education and self-assessment activities. This added credential demonstrates the physician's commitment to quality and safety, as well as his/her expertise level and volume of practice in brachytherapy.

"We are very proud and excited to have Dr. Hochman be the first physician in the nation to receive recognition from the FPRB program," said Stacy Alcuaz, executive director, Florida Cancer Affiliates. "The inherently complicated nature of brachytherapy requires a highly skilled and experienced practitioner. This program provides assurance to patients that if they seek out a physician who has FPRB recognition, they will be receiving the highest level of care from a doctor with extensive experience in the procedure."