Ask the Doctor: Early Detection and Screening for Lung Cancer with Dr. Christos Stavropoulos

Posted on by John Williams

Christos I. Stavropoulos, MD, is the director of thoracic oncology at Englewood Health. Here he answers some questions regarding lung cancer, and shares steps individuals can take to keep their lungs healthy.

Do I qualify for a lung cancer screening?

Dr. Stavropoulos: You may qualify for a low-dose CT scan to help detect signs of lung cancer before symptoms present, when it’s at an early and treatable stage. Lung cancer screening eligibility guidelines* include people between 55 and 80 years of age who:

  • have a 30 pack-year smoking history (one pack a day for 30 years or 2 packs a day for 15 years), or
  • are current smokers or former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years.

Are early-stage lung cancers curable?

Dr. Stavropoulos: Screening is aimed at detecting lung cancer early on, when doctors can intervene and potentially provide a cure for the patient. Ten to 15 years ago—even five years ago—saying the words “lung cancer” and “cure” in the same sentence was rare. Today there have been many advancements in lung cancer treatment that have greatly impacted survival rates. If we catch lung cancer early, we can potentially cure it. That is the number one reason why screening is so important. Early detection saves lives.

Dr. Stavropoulos shares these three tips for preventing lung cancer:

  • Quit smoking or, better yet, never start.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke.
  • Have a heavy smoking history? Get screened! With annual lowdose CT screening, the goal is to detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and to prevent late-stage lung cancers.

How can I get screened for lung cancer?

Dr. Stavropoulos: Patients are often referred for lung cancer screening by their primary care physicians. However, you can (and should) be your own advocate. If you meet the eligibility requirements, tell your doctor and ask about being screened for lung cancer. Englewood Health offers low-dose CT lung cancer screening, which is covered by most insurance plans, for eligible patients who are at the highest risk of developing lung cancer.

I’m scared of what the results might show. Should I be?

Dr. Stavropoulos: Annual screening can make a difference in your long-term health. I encourage patients not to fear what might be found in screening. The majority of findings are changes that can be followed over time and may not require any intervention. But you’ll have peace of mind knowing we checked and, if there is an indication of lung cancer, we may be able to intervene early on, when the cancer has a better response to treatment.

Posted March 22, 2021

*The eligibility has changed to qualify people between 50 and 80 years of age who have a 20 pack-year smoking history. Call your insurance provider to see if it is covered.

Managing Spinal Conditions in Athletes

Posted on by John Williams

The main concern when athletes have spinal issues that make them stop exercising is they become deconditioned and start losing muscle tone and muscle memory, according to Frank Moore, MD, a neurosurgeon at Englewood Health.

“If you golf and you stop for several months, you forget how to do your swing properly, for example,” Dr. Moore said. “We focus on early and personalized treatment. The idea is to get patients back on track as quickly as possible.”

Englewood Health has access to a variety of surgical options, according to Dr. Moore. “Some of these include minimally invasive surgery where we can preserve the musculature of the spine, which allows patients to start rehab a lot sooner. Other surgeries allow us to do disc replacements.”

Cervical disc arthroplasty is often the treatment of choice when there is a problem between two vertebrae. “The aim is usually to decompress the disc. Until recently, what we have done is a fusion, where we link the two vertebrae, so there is no more motion at that segment,” Dr. Moore said. “Now, if we can replace that disc by a structure that allows movement, we can preserve mobility at that vertebral level.”

Frank Moore, MD

“We focus on early and personalized treatment. The idea is to get patients back on track as quickly as possible.”

Frank Moore, MD, neurological surgery

In the neck, disc arthroplasty has the advantage of allowing increased mobility and possibly less wear and tear at adjacent levels. Damage to a disc can happen in any sport as a result of direct trauma or repeated movements. If a patient is a tennis player, their disc may be injured from repeated serves. A football player may hit someone head-on and herniate a disc. “Disc arthroplasty has been done for 10 years, but there is just now a body of literature that proves it is safe and something that can be done routinely,” Dr. Moore said. “Postoperatively, patients start physical therapy sooner rather than later, to prevent deconditioning.”

Disc arthroplasty is not appropriate for all patients, however. “It is important to personalize treatment in relationship to the patient,” Dr. Moore said. “If you have a boxer who has a neck injury and we know that he wants to go back to boxing, that patient will probably get a cervical fusion. If a boxer is going to withstand repeated blows, then the fusion is going to be stronger to hold everything in place. If you have someone who is a dancer and they have an injury in the neck, they will probably get an arthroplasty.”

Dr. Moore has a particular professional interest in athletes because he is one himself. “Because I do a lot of sports, including Ironman triathlons, I have a good idea of what athletes want and need. Like any athlete, I’ve been injured.”

Posted March 11, 2021

State-of-the-Art Musculoskeletal Care, Close to Home at Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

A letter from Marc Arginteanu, MD, and Asit K. Shah, MD, PhD

Englewood Health continues to assemble an impressive team of orthopedists and spinal specialists that rivals any in the entire tristate area. This group of physicians, aided by dedicated nursing staff and other medical professionals, works together to provide the highest level of care that, conveniently, is available right in your patients’ neighborhood.

The core innovation is communication. Teamwork is the guiding principle at Englewood Health. Physicians working in orthopedics and neurosurgery actively collaborate and welcome nursing suggestions for improving patient care. Clinical expertise is abundant here, and teamwork compounds its power to create successful outcomes.

At Englewood Health, the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic medical technology is available within our state-of-the-art facilities, all of which are designed to improve the patient experience, from admission to discharge. And perioperative care often goes beyond the date of discharge as the clinical team follows the trajectory of a patient’s recovery at home.

Englewood Health offers the latest therapeutic orthopedic and spinal techniques. In addition, many of the physicians here are engaged in research to help formulate more advanced approaches for the benefit of future patients. Innovating the future of medicine is a core competency here at Englewood Health.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic put many elective surgeries on hold, but those procedures are once again taking place within Englewood Health. The highest levels of infection control are available, and, as noted in the sidebar on page 3, a stringent protocol is in place for all patients attending appointments on campus. The pandemic is no longer a reason for you or your patients to put off an important elective procedure.

Englewood Health orthopedists and spinal specialists work closely with all referring physicians to ensure continuity and excellence of care, and we invite you to collaborate with us should the need arise.

Marc Arginteanu, MD

Marc Arginteanu, MD

Neurological Surgery | Full profile

Asit K. Shah, MD PhD

Asit K. Shah, MD PhD

Orthopedic Surgery | Full profile

Posted March 11, 2021

New Surgical Technologies Improve Rotator Cuff Repair

Posted on by John Williams
Rotator cuff x-ray

Rotator cuff tears can be difficult to treat because healing can be problematic, especially as patients increase in age, according to Manesha Lankachandra, MD, a hand and upper extremity surgeon with Englewood Orthopedic Associates, part of the Englewood Health Physician Network.

“The initial treatment for most rotator cuff tears is trying nonoperative treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and cortisone injections,” Dr. Lankachandra said. “But if those methodologies aren’t effective or stop working, then your next option is an arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn cuff.”

Manesha Lankachandra, MD

“The body has a really hard time healing that bone-to-tendon interface.”

Manesha Lankachandra, MD, hand and upper extremity surgeon

Fortunately, a collection of new technologies is emerging that could improve the recovery process and help patients regain function.

Repair site injections of platelet-rich plasma, an autologous blood product with an enriched platelet concentration, and mesenchymal stem cells collected from the patient’s bone marrow are two approaches being studied for their ability to support postsurgical recovery at the bone-to-tendon interface of the rotator cuff, a juncture that has a notoriously difficult healing rate.

“The body has a really hard time healing that bone-to-tendon interface,” Dr. Lankachandra explained. “The goal of these treatments is to deliver growth factors and other enzymes that are going to encourage the tendon to repair back to the bone.”

Other developing strategies to aid repair and recovery include supportive scaffolding and allografts, Dr. Lankachandra said. “In the past several years, surgeons have started using allograft tissue to augment repairs, and even using allograft in place of the rotator cuff tendon itself for tears that are too big to repair normally.”

Dr. Lankachandra, who co-authored a recent review on augmenting rotator cuff repair (Orthop Clin North Am 2019;50[1]:103-108), noted that although these emerging technologies are exciting, they remain in the early stages of development for rotator cuff repair, and more research is needed to understand how best to incorporate them into practice.

“Randomized controlled studies that show that any of these technologies are more effective than just plain repair have been pretty limited in humans,” she said. “I don’t use them that much for primary rotator cuff repair. I think their utility is more in revision cases, or in patients who have very large tears where you have a pretty good idea from the start that their rotator cuff tear will not be repairable through a standard approach.”

Posted March 11, 2021

Marion’s Story – Cardiac Care

Posted on by John Williams

Conditions that affect the heart can run the gamut. Marion, an active 85-year-old, developed a blocked mitral valve that led to a scary moment that required open-heart surgery. She’s now giving thanks to the team who saved her and got her back to treasured time with her family.

Posted March 3, 2021

Englewood Health signs CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge

Posted on by John Williams

March 1, 2021 — Last week, Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, joined the over 1,600 CEOs from across the country who have signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge, committing to encouraging diversity and inclusion within the workplace. In the pledge, Englewood Health leadership agrees to provide equal access to vaccines, helping to mitigate risk factors for those most vulnerable to COVID-19; enhancing and expanding training programs for new and current employees, focused on diversity and inclusion; and to continue on the path to diminishing healthcare disparities with the support of the Diversity and Inclusion Education Council (DIEC).

In an inspiring video, Warren Geller reminds us, “Englewood Health will continue to do more, and do better, to ensure equality for all that we serve. This is the beginning of our journey,” he says, “not the end.”

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician Jeff Pavell, DO Contributes to CDC Study on Reducing COVID-19 Spread

Posted on by Keri Flaccomio

As the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe in 2020, physicians poured time and effort into research that would help our nation, and others, navigate living in a world with coronavirus. Jeff Pavell, DO, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Englewood Health, contributed to a federal study with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, analyzing preventive measures taken at four summer camps in Maine to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Multiple layers of mitigation used included testing, masking, social distancing, limiting high-risk activities, using outdoor facilities as often as possible, and creating a culture in which hygiene became commonplace. These practices not only created a safe space for youth to learn and interact even in these high-stress times, but also resulted in important takeaways for emerging from quarantine and safely returning to schools and workplaces, while minimizing risk. “By using multiple layers of mitigation, you can reduce the spread,” said Dr. Pavell, “and, should someone contract the virus, internal contact tracing allows you to say who needs to be isolated right away. It’s about knowing what the protocols are and then normalizing them so they become habitualized.”

Read the full study, “Preventing and Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Transmission — Four Overnight Camps, Maine, June — “August 2020,” on the CDC website.

Given the quickly evolving nature of our understanding of COVID-19, parents and school systems should always consult their local health department for the most current guidance on the safety of activities involving children.

Posted on September 5, 2020

Don’t Miss a Beat: Take Care of Your Heart

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the challenge of staying on top of heart health. Life as we know it has changed in many ways. Spending more time indoors, working from home, snacking more, and exercising less has led to weight gain for many of us. One of the most alarming trends has been the delay in seeking routine and preventive health care. These factors have negatively impacted heart health and are putting individuals at risk of developing heart disease.

Though we are living through difficult times, putting off health screenings and continued care is not the answer. “When it comes to heart health, there should be no hesitation,” said Jennifer Wellings, MD, a cardiologist at Englewood Health. “It is important to not only take personal action, but also consult with a doctor on additional steps that can be taken to maintain a healthy heart.”

According to the CDC, in the United States there are an estimated 30.3 million adults diagnosed with cardiovascular disease—including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease, among other conditions. It is the leading cause of death globally. Of these cardiovascular-disease-related deaths, four out of five are a result of heart attack and stroke.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)—sometimes called coronary heart disease—is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. It is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. When this happens, the arteries narrow, which can lead to chest pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of CAD include weakness, light-headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, and pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders. Sleep apnea, high triglycerides, autoimmune diseases, and alcohol consumption can be contributing factors to developing CAD.

Preventing coronary artery disease, providing early intervention for arrhythmia management, and offering the latest technology for treating structural heart disease and aortic disease are some of the key focuses of the team at Englewood Health. They achieve this by using electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, cardiac CT scans, exercise stress tests, nuclear stress tests, and several other tools for early intervention and diagnosis.

“The goal is to work with our patients early on to ensure that any modifiable heart disease risks do not escalate,” said Dr. Wellings. “If conditions have already developed, patients can count on us to provide them with safe, advanced care.” When evaluating patients and tailoring their care plans, the cardiology team uses innovative diagnostic and treatment options, including the Watchman™ and MitraClip® devices, and offers the latest in surgical and nonsurgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The team of specialists treat thousands of patients with heart conditions from across New Jersey each year. Englewood Health provides ongoing care to help reduce the risk of developing cardiac disease and help patients achieve their heart health goals.

Posted on February 9, 2021

Englewood Health Opens New Imaging Center in Fair Lawn

Posted on by John Williams

Offering full-service diagnostic imaging and breast center services

Mammography at Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn

February 3, 2021 — Driven by a need in the community for better access to high-quality medical imaging, Englewood Health has opened the doors on a new three-story 30,000-square-foot facility, 9,500 of which will be dedicated to a new diagnostic imaging and breast center. The new location makes advanced imaging services easier to access for residents of western Bergen County and Passaic County. Located at 22-02 Broadway in Fair Lawn, Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn offers highly sophisticated technology and advanced diagnostic testing in a modern newly constructed building with free parking, access to public transportation, same-day appointments, and walk-ins with a doctor’s prescription. Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn is open for appointments, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and accepts most insurance plans.

“Imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, are integral in the early detection of cancer, heart disease, joint and spine injury, abdominal disease, and problems related to brain function. Many of these conditions, if found early, are treatable and curable,” said Mark Shapiro, MD, chief of radiology at Englewood Health. “Physicians and surgeons rely on quality imaging and expert interpretation to support their diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance recommendations. By expanding Englewood Health’s diagnostic imaging and breast center locations, and by using the most up-to-date technology and highly-experienced, patient-focused radiology technologists—all supported by board-certified sub-specialty trained radiologists at Englewood Hospital—we are improving care in our community.”

“The importance of community-based care has never been greater,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “No one wants to travel far for health care. Our main hospital facility is in Englewood, but we are continually expanding throughout the region, and this new location in Fair Lawn will be a game-changer for the community. Access to care is critical—not only access to a hospital, but also to preventive care where people live and work.”

MRI at Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn

The new facility includes a range of imaging and breast services, including:

  • 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) and stereotactic biopsy
  • Breast ultrasound;fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy
  • Bone densitometry (DEXA scans)
  • CT scan (128 slice, low dose CT)with coronary CT angiography capability
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3 Tesla – wide bore MRI)for breast; whole body; musculoskeletal; and neuro MRI, with capacity to accommodate patients up to 550 lbs.
  • Ultrasound
  • X-ray

A major focus of this new center is to bring Englewood Health’s expert breast center services into the community. “When getting your annual mammogram is made accessible, patients are more likely to undergo routine screening,” said Mindy Goldfischer, MD, chief of breast imaging at Englewood Hospital and medical director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Health, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. “At Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn, screening mammography, diagnostic evaluations, and advanced breast procedures are performed by our breast imaging specialists onsite. Having outstanding breast care available for individuals right in their own community will save lives.”

Englewood Health is a regional leader, accredited and recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. In addition, Englewood Health’s breast cancer disease management team, which includes medical oncologists, breast surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and geneticists, works together to create individual care plans for each patient. The new imaging center extends Englewood Health’s expertise to those who live and work in western Bergen and Passaic Counties.

“When follow-up studies are needed, the imaging center team can expedite all tests to ensure that patients are not waiting for days or weeks for tests or results, which can cause undue concern about abnormalities,” added Dr. Shapiro. “During ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations, and any other biopsies, Englewood Health’s pathologists look directly at the specimen in real-time to help ensure an adequate sample is retrieved at the time of biopsy. Englewood Health’s radiologists maintain close communication with referring physicians.”

With the opening of Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn, Englewood Health now offers diagnostic imaging and breast center services at three convenient locations across northern New Jersey (Englewood, Emerson, and Fair Lawn), as well as cardiac imaging at four locations (Fair Lawn, Glen Ridge, Pompton Plains, and Woodland Park). For more information or to make an appointment at Englewood Health Imaging at Fair Lawn, visit englewoodhealth.org/imaging or call 551-299-2900.

Thoracic Surgeon Christos I. Stavropoulos, MD, Joins Englewood Health as Director of Thoracic Oncology at The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center

Posted on by John Williams

January 19, 2021 — Englewood Health has named thoracic surgeon Christos I. Stavropoulos, MD director of thoracic oncology at The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. In this capacity, Dr. Stavropoulos will lead and develop a multidisciplinary lung and thoracic cancer program within the cancer center and further expand the advanced, minimally invasive, and robotic thoracic surgery expertise at Englewood Health. He joins the Englewood Health Physician Network and Englewood Hospital, and welcomes new patients.

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Stavropoulos to our growing team of renowned specialists and providers,” said Dr. Stephen Brunnquell, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “As an accomplished surgeon specializing in thoracic surgery, Dr. Stavropoulos will help meet an important need in our community and further expand the areas of expertise that our organization offers. He will work closely with our regional physicians and see patients in our locations in Englewood, Fair Lawn, and Hudson County.”

Dr. Stavropoulos’s primary clinical interests are chest, mediastinal, and esophageal diseases, with a particular interest in the management of pulmonary nodules. His surgical expertise includes robotic surgery, endobronchial ultrasound, navigational bronchoscopy, and thoracoscopy. Prior to joining Englewood Health, Dr. Stavropoulos held leadership positions and provided clinical care in healthcare systems throughout Hudson County, New Jersey; Westchester County, New York; and New York City.

“At Englewood Health, our comprehensive lung cancer program includes both screening for high-risk patients and all aspects of multidisciplinary care,” said Steven Brower, MD, medical director of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health. “Dr. Stavropoulos will lead a subspecialized group of physicians caring for patients with lung, esophageal, and mediastinal tumors. He is a respected leader in the field of thoracic oncology and brings expertise in minimally invasive techniques for managing patients’ disease, as well as leadership in developing novel programs for preventing and treating cancer.”

Board certified in thoracic surgery and in general surgery, Dr. Stavropoulos completed a general surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital (New York Medical College) in Manhattan, followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital (Drexel University College of Medicine) in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and a co-author on numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications.