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Robert G Prosnitz, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Department: Radiation Oncology

Contact information

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Department of Radiation Oncology
2 Donner Building
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Office: 215-614-0083
Fax: 215-349-5455

Email:
robert.prosnitz@uphs.upenn.edu

Education:
B.A. (Economics and Political Science, Cum Laude)
Yale University, 1991.
M.D.
Duke University School of Medicine, 1996.
M.P.H. (Clinical Effectiveness)
Harvard University School of Public Health, 2000.

Permanent link

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Description of Clinical Expertise

Dr. Prosnitz has extensive expertise in the management of patient with breast cancer and lymphoma. While Dr. Prositz has a solid understanding the surgical and medical management of patients with these diseases, his specific expertise is in the radiotherapeutic management of breast and lymphoma patients. He is an expert in the use of multiple radiation therapy techniques and technologies including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D conformal), image-guided radiation therapy treatment (IGRT) planning and delivery, high-dose rate breast brachytherapy, accelerated partial breast breast irradiation, hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HF-WBI), total body irradiation (TBI), and total skin electron beam (TSEB) irradiation.

Description of Research Expertise

Dr. Prosnitz has extensive experience in clinical and health services research. As a clinical researcher he has conducted phase II and phase III trials, prospective observational trials, and multiple retrospective studies.

His primary research interest is the radiotherapeutic management of patients with breast cancer, but his research interests also extend to the surgical and medical management of these patients, the pathoogical evaluation of breast cancer specimens, and the imaging evaluation of breast cancer patients.

Finally Dr. Prosnitz is an expert in the cardiac toxicity associated with radiation therapy, having conducted a prospective observational study of patients undergoing radiotherapy for left sided breast cancer and has written and lectured extensively on this topic.

Within the realm of health services research, Dr. Prosnitz has experience with decision analysis, the use of large administrative databases, and the use of large prospective institutional databases.

Selected Publications

Prosnitz RG: Commentary on Nichols et al, "Outcomes in Black Patients with Early Breast Cancer Treated with Breast Conservation Therapy"; Int J Radiat Biol Phys 2011; 79:392–399. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly. Thomas A. Buchholz, MD (eds.). Elsevier, April-June 2012 Notes: Accepted for publication, November 2011.

Prosnitz RG: Commentary on Evren et al, "Acute Radiation Effects on Cardiac Function Detected By Strain Rate Imaging in Breast Cancer Patients"; Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2011; 79:1444-1451. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly. Thomas A Buchholz, MD (eds.). Mosby, Inc. 22(4), January-March 2012.

Taunk NK, Prosnitz RG: Radiation-Induced Heart Disease in Women Receiving Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, and Prevention. Radiation Medicine Rounds: Breast Cancer. Alphonse Taghian, MD and Michele Y. Halyard, MD (eds.). Demos Medical Publishing, LLC, 2012 Notes: Accepted for publication, December 2011.

Schmitz KH, Prosnitz RG, Schwartz AL, Carver JR: Prospective surveillance and management of cardiac toxicity and health in breast cancer survivors. Cancer. Fadlo R. Khuri, MD (eds.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2012 Notes: Accepted for publication, November 2011.

Hayes SC, Johansson K, Stout K, Prosnitz RG, Armer J, Gabram S, Schmitz KH: Upper-body morbidity following breast cancer: incidence and evidence for evaluation, prevention and management within a prospective surveillance model of care. Cancer. Fadlo R. Khuri, MD (eds.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2012 Notes: Accepted for publication, September 2011.

Stout NL, Blinkley J, Schmitz KH, Andrews K, Hayes SC, Campbell KL, McNeely M, Soballe PW, Berger AM, Cheville AL, Fabian C, Gerber L, Harris SR, Johansson K, Pusic AL, Prosnitz RG, Smith R: Prospective Surveillance Model for Rehabilitation for Women with Breast Cancer. Cancer. Fadlo R. Khuri, MD (eds.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2012 Notes: Accepted for publication, November 2011.

Lester-Coll NH, Lee JM, Gogineni K, Hwang W-T, Schwartz JS, Prosnitz RG: A Decision Analysis of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Women Undergoing Treatment for Sporadic Unilateral Breast Cancer. Cancer Research. George C. Prendergast (eds.). American Association for Cancer Research, 71(24): 121S, December 2011 Notes: Poster Discussion at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Taunk NK, Prosnitz RG: Inverse Planned 2-field IMRT Versus 3D-CRT Employing a Heart Block in Reducing High-Dose Cardiac Exposure in Patients with Unfavorable Thoracic Anatomy Undergoing Adjuvant Left Breast Radiation for Early Stage Breast Cancer. Practical Radiation Oncology. W. Robert Lee, MD (eds.). Elsevier, December 2011 Notes: Published online 12/15/2011.

Lester-Coll NH, Morrissey SM, Hwang WT, Prosnitz RG: The Utility of Axillary Nodal Evaluation in Women with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast with Microinvasion. International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics. James D. Cox, MD (eds.). Elsevier, 81(2, Supplement): S243, October 2011.

JT Whaley, MD, N Lester-Coll B.S., SM Morrissey, W-T Hwang, PhD., RG Prosnitz, MD.: The Value of Post-excision Pre-Irradiation Mammography in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast Treated with Breast Conserving Therapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. James W. Cox, MD (eds.). Elsevier, 81(2, Supplement): S207-S208, October 2011.