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Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Strengthens Local Access to Cancer Care with Physician Appointments in Major Markets
Statewide Practice Welcomes Medical Oncologist & Hematologist Marisabel H. Castillo, MD to Palm Beach County; Medical Oncologist & Hematologist Roderick Paras, MD to Central Florida FORT MYERS, Fla., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) welcomes medical oncologists and hematologists Marisabel H. Castillo, MD and Roderick Paras, MD to the statewide practice. Dr. Castillo is providing care to patients at the FCS Boca Raton clinic, 21020 State Road 7, Ste. 200C, Boca Raton, FL 33428, and the FCS Delray Beach clinic, 5130 Linton Blvd., Ste. B4, Delray Beach, FL 33484. She graduated magna cum laude from the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. She received the Outstanding Continuity Clinic Resident Award during her internal medicine residency at New York University and was later appointed chief fellow during her hematology/medical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin. 'Dr. Castillo is an accomplished physician recognized early in her career for several distinguished achievements, said FCS Assistant Managing Physician David Wenk, MD. 'Through active involvement in clinical research, Dr. Castillo has contributed to the development of innovative immunotherapies as well as strategies to identify and reduce disparities in cancer diagnosis and treatment. She will utilize her skills and dedication to ensure our patients in Palm Beach County attain the best outcomes.' Dr. Paras is providing care to patients at the FCS cancer centers in Lake Mary, 805 Currency Cir., Lake Mary, FL 32746, Deland, 810 N. Spring Garden Ave., Ste 100, Deland, FL 32720 and Orange City, 2824 Enterprise Rd., Orange City, FL 32763. After completing his medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Dr. Paras completed internal medicine residency training at New York Medical College's St. Vincent's Medical Center and a fellowship in medical oncology at Medical College of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. FCS President & Managing Physician Lucio N. Gordan, MD, said, 'With a wealth of experience in oncology and a deep commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Paras brings expertise as well as compassion that will strengthen our mission and elevate the care we provide in Seminole and Volusia counties.' Dr. Castillo and Dr. Paras are among the growing number of physicians choosing to grow their careers with FCS. About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: ( For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. In fact, before receiving FDA approval, the majority of new cancer drugs in the U.S. were first made available to patients through participation in clinical trials at FCS. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute introduces liquid biopsy test
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in the US has introduced liquid biopsy, a blood test that rapidly identifies cancerous tumours and circulating cells in the bloodstream. This test may be used to evaluate colorectal, lung, prostate, breast, and blood cancers. Liquid biopsy represents an advancement in cancer diagnosis and treatment, utilising a simple draw of blood to test for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). The introduction of liquid biopsy at FCS underscores the practice's focus on expanding its comprehensive genomic testing offerings, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy, guiding physicians in treatment decisions, and the patients' clinical outcomes. FCS claims to have broadened its testing options for the 250 physicians serving more than 102,000 individuals across Florida, since the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) offerings at its centralised in-house laboratory in 2021. The practice has seen over 4.2 million annual visits and recently surpassed over 16,000 molecular tests processed at its Fort Myers lab facility. FCS genetics laboratory associate director Jennifer Gass said: 'Liquid biopsy is especially effective for providing genetic information quickly for various types of advanced cancers to help physicians assess and better target treatments that may work best and monitor patient response. 'Additionally, because it is minimally invasive and easy to repeat on an ongoing basis, liquid biopsy is significantly more comfortable for patients.' The expansion of the NGS testing menu at the FCS includes the addition of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing, which analyses tumour DNA to determine potential treatment responses to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. This class of drugs specifically targets cancer cells. Other additions include a small heme NGS panel that identifies mutations related to myeloproliferative neoplasms and a quantitative assay for monitoring BCR-ABL gene fusions post-treatment in specific blood cancers. "Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute introduces liquid biopsy test" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Launches Liquid Biopsy
Statewide Practice Continues to Enhance Genomic Testing to Advance Cancer Care, Improve Cure Rates and Enhance Patient Experience FORT MYERS, Fla., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquid biopsy, a blood test that swiftly detects signs of cancerous tumors and cells traveling in the bloodstream, is now available at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS), offering significant benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of many of the most common cancers, particularly those in advanced stages. Liquid biopsy is used increasingly to assess lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer as well as cancers of the blood. "Liquid biopsy is especially effective for providing genetic information quickly for various types of advanced cancers to help physicians assess and better target treatments that may work best and monitor patient response," said Jennifer Gass, PhD, associate director of the FCS Genetics Laboratory. Biopsies are the definitive method for confirming the presence of cancer. Traditionally, samples of tissue, cells or fluid are taken from the body during a surgical procedure and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Liquid biopsy utilizes a simple blood draw to draw samples of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for testing. Dr. Gass notes, "Additionally, because it is minimally invasive and easy to repeat on an ongoing basis, liquid biopsy is significantly more comfortable for patients." This latest advancement reflects the continued expansion of the statewide practice's comprehensive genomic testing capabilities, which are enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding treatment decisions for physicians and improving clinical outcomes for cancer patients. Since launching next-generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities at its centralized in-house laboratory in 2021, FCS has expanded its menu of testing options available to the 250 physicians serving more than 102,000 patients, adding up to more than 4.2 million visits, annually across Florida. FCS recently surpassed more than 16,000 molecular tests processed at its state-of-the-art laboratory facility in Fort Myers. "It is rare for a community oncology practice to offer the comprehensive scope of genomic testing that we have available for our patients," said FCS President & Managing Physician Lucio N. Gordan, MD. "With genomic profiling, we are able to identify actionable mutations for the majority of cancer patients, creating a uniquely personalized treatment approach. It is at the core of our focus on precision oncology." Other recent additions to the NGS testing menu at FCS include HRD, or homologous recombination deficiency, which analyzes the DNA of a tumor and determines potential treatment response to PARP inhibitors, a class of drugs that target cancer cells; a small heme NGS panel that detects mutations associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms; and a quantitative assay that monitors BCR::ABL gene fusions after treatment in certain blood cancers. Dr. Gass noted, "Molecular technology continues to grow and provide better ways of visualizing an individual's unique genetic makeup. We are very excited to see how the technology evolves in the future." Nicole Radford, FACHE, MS, MT(ASCP), FCS vice president of laboratory services, emphasizes the value of critical partnerships the practice has established with global technology and software leaders to evolve and advance the critical infrastructure needed to optimize clinical decision making. FCS' recent acquisition of the Illumina NovaSeq, for example, allows the sequencing of many more samples more deeply with even faster turnaround times. ""Our turnaround times—consistently within the industry standard—match those of leading commercial laboratories. What truly sets us apart at FCS is our ability to incorporate each patient's clinical information into the analysis," Radford notes. "This allows us to deliver insights that go beyond the report, offering providers more meaningful, tailored information that drives better decisions and outcomes for our patients." Radford oversees a highly specialized team of clinical experts skilled in multiple disciplines. "Our clinical team has expanded tremendously and now includes three board-certified genetic scientists and several licensed genetic and molecular scientists," she said. "Testing is a laborious and highly detailed process that requires enormous discipline and adherence to multiple process steps and the highest quality standards, and that's not simple. Each team member complements the other and they continue to do a tremendous job to get the very best tests and results out as quickly as possible." Nathan H. Walcker, FCS chief executive officer, said, "The quality and success of these initiatives demonstrates our commitment to making the necessary investments to remain at the forefront of innovations and technologies that ensure the very best outcomes for every patient who entrusts their care to FCS." About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: ( For more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. In fact, before receiving FDA approval, the majority of new cancer drugs in the U.S. were first made available to patients through participation in clinical trials at FCS. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Introduces Specialized Radiation Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Ocala and The Villages
Non-invasive Treatment Shortens Treatment Schedule FORT MYERS, Fla., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) is now offering a shorter course of specialized radiation treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer at the FCS Ocala Cancer Center and the FCS Villages Cancer Center. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) uses high-powered external beam x-rays to destroy cancer cells in less time and offers numerous other advantages for patients. FCS radiation oncologist Luis Carrascosa, MD said, "APBI is highly effective for treating small tumors that have not spread to the lymph nodes as well as to prevent the recurrence of cancer following surgery, such as lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, to preserve the breast." Dr. Carrascosa notes that APBI, a non-invasive therapy, targets only the area where the original cancer was located, unlike standard treatments that target the whole breast and can result in unnecessary radiation to surrounding healthy tissue or organs. "APBI therapy can be accomplished in as few as five treatments as compared to a standard course of treatment which can take three to six weeks to complete," said Dr. Carrascosa. "For added convenience, through our expanding use of contactless technologies, we offer patients the option for APBI to be delivered when positioned on their back or on their stomach and without the need for permanent tattoos or marks on their skin, traditionally used when positioning patients for treatment." "The availability of this highly-sophisticated radiation therapy is consistent with our ongoing commitment to provide the Ocala community with access to the most advanced treatment innovations that increasingly enhance patient comfort and convenience, with shorter treatment schedules, improved outcomes and decreased cost," said FCS Director of Radiation Oncology Sachin Kamath, MD. The state-of-the-art FCS Ocala Cancer Center and FCS Villages Cancer Center are the first and only comprehensive cancer centers in Marion and Sumter Counties, serving patients with a broad range of cancers, blood disorders and other diseases. About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: ( more than 40 years, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has embraced innovation to deliver world-class care and drive the dramatic transformation of oncology care through its robust clinical research program. FCS provides patients with access to a wide range of clinical trials, positioning it as a leader in research among private oncology practices in Florida and across the country. In fact, before receiving FDA approval, the majority of new cancer drugs in the U.S. were first made available to patients through participation in clinical trials at FCS. Our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians is committed to delivering tailored treatment plans that make the best use of cutting-edge precision oncology advancements to enhance patient outcomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
