EXPERT
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern
Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern is a top Radiation Oncologist in Brooklyn, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Joshua N. Halpern is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Joshua N. Halpern is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Joshua N. Halpern is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Joshua N. Halpern is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern
- Hadassah Medical School
- Accepting new patients
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How long does palliative radiotherapy prolong life?
It depends on the primary condition. Outcome will not be determined by the local control of metastases but the overall prognosis. Palliation usually controls only local pain or READ MORE
It depends on the primary condition. Outcome will not be determined by the local control of metastases but the overall prognosis. Palliation usually controls only local pain or any other local symptom.
Is radiation therapy for breast cancer painful?
External beam radiation does not hurt, but may produce rarely some skin reaction similar to a sunburn which heals like a sunburn. Sometimes, the breast radiation is done interstitially, READ MORE
External beam radiation does not hurt, but may produce rarely some skin reaction similar to a sunburn which heals like a sunburn. Sometimes, the breast radiation is done interstitially, inside the breast tissue, which needs to be discussed with the doctor who does the procedure.
Lung nodules?
These may be old "granulomas" which are benign conditions. If there are any old chest X-rays or CT's to compare and these lesions were there before, you don't need to worry. If READ MORE
These may be old "granulomas" which are benign conditions. If there are any old chest X-rays or CT's to compare and these lesions were there before, you don't need to worry. If these lesions are new, they will need immediate attention.
My risk of death from prostate cancer?
Prognosis is determined by many factors including the aggressiveness of the cancer cells, the amount of cancer burden potential spread etc. Without obtaining the actual tissue, READ MORE
Prognosis is determined by many factors including the aggressiveness of the cancer cells, the amount of cancer burden potential spread etc. Without obtaining the actual tissue, it is not possible to make a determination. If treatment is needed, it may be curative and it may require surgery, radiation and or additional medication, depending on the stage of the disease.
How long does it take to recover from radiation therapy?
Radiation treatments are directed to an involved area. Usually, current radiation can be administered with minimal toxicity, so it is well tolerated from the outset, but again READ MORE
Radiation treatments are directed to an involved area. Usually, current radiation can be administered with minimal toxicity, so it is well tolerated from the outset, but again depends on the site of the treatment. On the average, toxicity should resolve in a few days to a few weeks.
What is the success rate of radiation therapy?
Radiation does not spread systemically, so it only palliates in metastatic cancer. Local effect depends on the tumor type. It may be more than 90% curative in prostate cancer and READ MORE
Radiation does not spread systemically, so it only palliates in metastatic cancer. Local effect depends on the tumor type. It may be more than 90% curative in prostate cancer and not effective in pancreatic cancer.
How long is your immune system compromised after chemo and radiation?
Radiation does not affect the immune system if it is not treating large amounts of bone marrow, as it is not spreading outside the treated areas. Chemotherapy induced immunosuppression READ MORE
Radiation does not affect the immune system if it is not treating large amounts of bone marrow, as it is not spreading outside the treated areas. Chemotherapy induced immunosuppression depends on the agents involved and may last weeks to months.
Why does radiation cause hair loss?
Radiation can cause hair loss only in the treated area, by preventing temporarily cell growth of the hair root, similarly to preventing permanently cancer cell growth. However, READ MORE
Radiation can cause hair loss only in the treated area, by preventing temporarily cell growth of the hair root, similarly to preventing permanently cancer cell growth. However, without scalp radiation, one would not have hair loss.
Do tumors continue to shrink after radiation?
Depending on the rate of the initial growth rate, cancer cell continue to die for many months or even years after the initial radiation effect. This may be attributed to irreversible READ MORE
Depending on the rate of the initial growth rate, cancer cell continue to die for many months or even years after the initial radiation effect. This may be attributed to irreversible radiation damage to the cancer cell DNA. This in turn causes cell death at the time of cell multiplication, which may happen long after the last radiation session
How much water should you drink during radiation?
Hydration is important regardless of any treatment. It is more important if urinary bladder is included in the treatment field, as flushing of the urinary tract may reduce the READ MORE
Hydration is important regardless of any treatment. It is more important if urinary bladder is included in the treatment field, as flushing of the urinary tract may reduce the side effects
Can you eat before radiation treatment?
Radiation may require diet restrictions if the treatment volume includes stomach or bowel. If digestive organs are not irradiated, diet should be regular. The timing of the meals READ MORE
Radiation may require diet restrictions if the treatment volume includes stomach or bowel. If digestive organs are not irradiated, diet should be regular. The timing of the meals is not important except for stomach irradiation, which may cause nausea.
Should I consider natural medicine for cancer?
Natural dietary supplements have not shown any effect in the treatment of cancer, while omega3 may increase the incidence of cancer. Antioxidants and other supplements also showed READ MORE
Natural dietary supplements have not shown any effect in the treatment of cancer, while omega3 may increase the incidence of cancer. Antioxidants and other supplements also showed a deleterious effect and should actually be avoided. Most of the new cancer treatments have less toxicity than previously and are effective and should be discussed with your doctor
When is radiation therapy considered over chemotherapy?
Radiation therapy is more effective locally and for locally advanced breast cancer it is indicated and useful. It is not a substitute to chemotherapy and other "systemic" treatments, READ MORE
Radiation therapy is more effective locally and for locally advanced breast cancer it is indicated and useful. It is not a substitute to chemotherapy and other "systemic" treatments, as radiation is not effective outside the treatment field.
What is the success rate for radiation on cancer?
Radiation has been studied for more than 50 years. The indications are determined by long term clinical studied for each type of cancer. For some cancer, such as localized prostate READ MORE
Radiation has been studied for more than 50 years. The indications are determined by long term clinical studied for each type of cancer. For some cancer, such as localized prostate cancer radiation is very effective. For blood cancer like leukemia is not effective because these are wide spread cancer which cannot be covered by radiation fields.
What happens to dead cancer cells after radiation?
Dead cancer cells are removed by inflammatory cell called macrophages, which swallow the cell debris and remove it.
What is the most common acute side effect of radiation treatment?
Radiation does not spread outside the targeted area. Side effects depend therefore what area is treated. If bowel is treated, you may have loose stools. Radiation of urinary bladder READ MORE
Radiation does not spread outside the targeted area. Side effects depend therefore what area is treated. If bowel is treated, you may have loose stools. Radiation of urinary bladder would cause urinary frequency or discomfort etc. Radiation treatments are devised with toxicity in mind, so they may be easily tolerated.
What helps with radiation treatment pain?
Cancer pain is usually caused by the pressure produces by the bulk of the tumor. Radiation is reducing the tumor volume and consequently the pressure on surrounding tissues and READ MORE
Cancer pain is usually caused by the pressure produces by the bulk of the tumor. Radiation is reducing the tumor volume and consequently the pressure on surrounding tissues and sensory nerves. The pain relief is very effective, but not permanent.
Prostate radiation psa?
Following radiation treatment, the PSA drops slowly within a few months. Lupron may hasten the PSA response, but because the prostate is not removed, it will not be zero. Prognostication READ MORE
Following radiation treatment, the PSA drops slowly within a few months. Lupron may hasten the PSA response, but because the prostate is not removed, it will not be zero. Prognostication is based on the follow up on the PSA value and not on the individual test. In your case, you will need a follow up PSA test for comparison, which probably was ordered by your doctor.
How long does it take for radiation to shrink a tumor?
Response to radiation depends on the rate of the growth of the cancer cells. Rapidly growing cells are killed faster than slowly growing ones. That is why tumor shrinkage depends READ MORE
Response to radiation depends on the rate of the growth of the cancer cells. Rapidly growing cells are killed faster than slowly growing ones. That is why tumor shrinkage depends on the nature of the cell and the observed initial growth rate. On the average, shrinkage will be notified between weeks to months.
How do you prevent hair loss during radiation treatments?
Radiation will not cause hair loss in non treated areas. Chemotherapy will spread systemically and may cause hair loss. For example, breast irradiation will not cause any hair READ MORE
Radiation will not cause hair loss in non treated areas. Chemotherapy will spread systemically and may cause hair loss. For example, breast irradiation will not cause any hair loss, except for the armpit, only if the armpit area is treated.
