Due to a system-wide technology update, we are experiencing extremely high call volume. We appreciate your patience with our operators during this time. Thank you for choosing Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Eric Horwitz, MD, FABS, FASTRO
Clinical Locations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Fox Chase Cancer Center East Norriton-Hospital Outpatient Center
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Professor
Gerald E. Hanks Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology
NCCN, Prostate Cancer Panel Member
Specialties
Treatment Focus
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- HDR temporary prostate brachytherapy
- LDR permanent prostate brachytherapy
Research Program
Key Awards
 |
| Radiation Oncology |
Treatment Philosophy
In addition to my focus on treating and caring for patients with prostate and bladder cancer, it is my responsibility as Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Fox Chase; an NCI designated National Comprehensive Cancer Center to promote the mission of the Center to prevail over cancer. Our department's expertise has always focused on developing and integrating sophisticated technology into successful treatment for our cancer patients and I remain committed to continuing and expanding this legacy. However, the successful treatment of a patient is not just based on the technology that is available. Being diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment is one of the most difficult things that many people will ever face, and it is crucial that we as caregivers do not forget this. Caring for patients as one important part of a multidisciplinary team allows us in the Department of Radiation Oncology to provide the best possible care for our patients.
Chair, Radiation Oncology
Since joining the staff in 1997, Dr. Horwitz's contributions include spearheading the clinical program as it grew exponentially in size and patient volumes. He developed advanced treatment programs using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy and brachytherapy, including high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
As a result, Fox Chase was the first in the northeastern United States to offer HDR implants to men with prostate cancer.
In addition, Dr. Horwitz integrated the use of an MRI treatment simulator into prostate cancer treatment planning for both permanent, low-dose prostate implants and external radiation therapy. Fox Chase was the first in the world to use MRI in radiation treatment planning.
Dr. Horwitz has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is a co-author of multiple chapters in various oncology texts. He has been invited to give numerous lectures and presentations at professional meetings in the United States and abroad. Dr. Horwitz has been named a top doctor by Castle Connolly's "American's Top Doctors" and is annually listed as one of Philadelphia magazine's "Top Docs."
He serves on the editorial board of the journal Brachytherapy and is the past-President and Chairman of the Board of the American Brachytherapy Society. He is also active in the American Society of Radiation Oncology and the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Horwitz received his MD from Albany College in New York after earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed both his internship and residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., where he was chief resident in radiation oncology. Dr. Horwitz joined Fox Chase in 1997. In 2009, he was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor and holder of the Gerald E. Hanks Chair in Radiation Oncology with tenure in Fox Chase's division of medical science.
Educational Background
- Resident, Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
- MD, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 1992
- BA, History, Chemistry minor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1988
Certifications
- American Board of Radiology, Radiation Oncology
Memberships
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Prostate Cancer Panel
- American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
- American Brachytherapy Society (ABS)
- American Board of Radiology (ABR)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2002, 2005-20
- Best Doctors in America® , 2013-14, 2019-2020, Radiation Oncology
- Inaugural Fellow, American Brachytherapy Society (ABS), 2017
- America’s Top Doctors®, 2015-17
- Newsweek Top Cancer Doctors, 2015
- Volunteer Service Award, American Board of Radiology, 2014
- Distinguished Service Award, American Brachytherapy Society, 2010
Charles "Cha" Goods
- Prostate Cancer
I’ve been a tennis coach for nearly 17 years, the last dozen at Legacy Youth Tennis and Education in Philadelphia. I run group clinics and offer private lessons. I specialize in movement and footwork training, as well as video-based training. My students range from kids as young as five to professional tennis players. I’m an active coach. When I teach my students how to do something, I want to show them I can do it. They’re amazed at how good I am!
Howard Tomlinson
- Prostate Cancer
I’m 66 years old and a resident of Princeton, New Jersey. I’m retired now, but I worked on Wall Street for 43 years and have been looking forward to spending my retirement doing things I love like playing golf, running, and giving back to the community.
Walter Masinick
- Prostate Cancer
The biopsy came back positive even though all my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests were normal at the time. The doctor suggested I get checked in about a year, but I wanted something done sooner and decided to get a second opinion.
Daniel Haubrich
- Prostate Cancer
After Daniel Haubrich was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005, his urologist did not think he was a good candidate for surgery, and he offered Daniel little hope that he would make a full recovery. Daniel knew he needed a second opinion and scheduled an appointment at Fox Chase Cancer Center to see a more experienced surgeon. This time, he was recommended for surgery, and after both surgery and radiation in early 2006, he is now cancer free. "I am grateful to both Dr. Chen and Dr. Horwitz for their positive attitudes, their commitment to care, and for treating me with respect," he said. "My experience at Fox Chase was always positive."
Research Interests
- Determining outcomes in treatment for prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiation and brachytherapy
- Developing image guidance techniques for prostate cancer radiation
- Developing new bladder preservation techniques to treat patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer
Selected Publications
Shulman R.M., Weinberg D.S., Ross E.A., Ruth K., Rall G.F., Olszanski A.J., Helstrom J., Hall M.J., Judd J., Chen D.Y.T., Uzzo R.G., Dougherty T.P., Williams R., Geynisman D.M., Fang C.Y., Fisher R.I., Strother M., Huelsmann E., Adige S., Whooley P.D., Zarrabi K., Gupta B., Iyer P., McShane M., Yankey H., Lee C.T., Burbure N., Laderman L.E., Giurintano J., Reiss S.,Horwitz E.M., Adverse events reported by patients with cancer after administration of a 2-dose mrna covid-19 vaccine. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 20(2): 160-166, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35130494.
Vapiwala N., Wong J.K., Handorf E., Paly J., Grewal A., Tendulkar R., Godfrey D., Carpenter D., Mendenhall N.P., Henderson R.H., Stish B.J., Vargas C., Salama J.K., Davis B.J.,Horwitz E.M., A pooled toxicity analysis of moderately hypofractionated proton beam therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy in early-stage prostate cancer patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 110(4): 1082-1089, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33539968.
Rosenthal SA, Hu C, Sartor O, Gomella LG, Amin MB, Purdy J, Michalski JM, Garzotto MG, Pervez N, Balogh AG, Rodrigues GB, Souhami L, Reaume MN, Williams SG, Hannan R, Horwitz EM, Raben A, Peters CA, Feng FY, Shipley WU, Sandler HM. Effect of Chemotherapy With Docetaxel With Androgen Suppression and Radiotherapy for Localized High-Risk Prostate Cancer: The Randomized Phase III NRG Oncology RTOG 0521 Trial. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology:Jco1802158, 2019. PubMed
Martin, J.M., Li, T., Johnson, M.E., Murphy, C.T., Howald, A.G., Smaldone, M.C., Kutikov, A., Chen, D.Y., Viterbo, R., Greenberg, R.E., Uzzo, R.G., Horwitz, E.M. Use of Postprostatectomy Radiation Therapy at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 13: 525-30; 2015. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M. and Weinberg, D.S. Medicare physician payment data: Is this transparency? Ann. Int. Med. 161(4): 291-292; 2014. PubMed
Horwitz EM. ABS brachytherapy consensus guidelines. Brachytherapy. 11(1): 4-5, 2012. PubMed
Davis BJ, Horwitz EM, Lee WR, Crook, J. M.; Stock, R. G.; Merrick, G. S.; Butler, W. M.; Grimm, P. D.; Stone, N. N.; Potters, L.; Zietman, A. L.; Zelefsky, M. J. American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for transrectal ultrasound-guided permanent prostate brachytherapy. Brachytherapy 11(1):6-19, 2012. PubMed
Crook, J.M.; O'Callaghan, C.J.; Duncan, G.; Dearnaley, D.P.; Higano, C.S.; Horwitz, E.M.; Frymire, E.; Malone, S.; Chin, J.; Nabid, A.; Warde, P.; Corbett, T.; Angyalfi, S.; Goldenberg, S.L.; Gospodarowicz, M.K.; Saad, F.; Logue, J.P.; Hall, E.; Schellhammer, P.F.; Ding, K.; Klotz, L. Intermittent androgen suppression for rising PSA level after radiotherapy. New England Journal of Medicine 367: 895-903; 2012. PubMed
Rosenthal, S.A.; Bittner, N.H.; Beyer, D.C.; Demanes, D.J.; Goldsmith, B.J.; Horwitz, E.M.; Ibbott, G.S.; Lee, W.R.; Nag, S.; Suh, W.W.; Potters, L. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and American College of Radiology (ACR) practice guideline for the transperineal permanent brachytherapy of prostate cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics 79: 335-41; 2011. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M. Why External Beam Radiotherapy Is Treatment of Choice for Most Men With Early-stage Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer. Urology 73: 470-472; 2009. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M.; Bae, K.; Hanks, G.E.; Porter, A.; Grignon, D.; Brereton, H.; Venkatesan, V.; Lawton, C.A.; Rosenthal, S.A.; Sandler, H.M.; Shipley, W.U. Ten-Year Follow-Up of RTOG 92-02: A Phase III Trial of the Duration of Elective Androgen Deprivation in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 26: 2497-2504; 2008. PubMed
Langer, C.J.; Harris, J.; Horwitz, E.M.; Nicolaou, N.; Kies, M.; Curran, W.J.; Wong, S.J.; Ang, K.K. Phase II study of paclitaxel, cisplatin in combination with split course concomitant hyperfractionated re-irradiation in patients with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck cancer: Preliminary results of RTOG 99-11. Journal of Clinical Oncology 25: 4800-4805; 2007. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M.; Levy, L.B.; Thames, H.D.; Kuban, D.A.; Kupelian, P.A.; Martinez, A.A.; Michalski, J.M.; Pisansky T.M.; Sandler, H.M.; Shipley, W.U.; Zelefsky, M.J.; Hanks, G.E.; Zietman, A.L. The Biochemical And Clinical Significance Of The Post-Treatment PSA Bounce For Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With External Beam Radiation Therapy Alone: A Multi-Institutional Pooled Analysis. Cancer 1071: 1496-1502; 2006. PubMed
Kuban, D.A.; Levy, L.B.; Potters, L.; Beyer, D.C.; Blasko, J.C.; Moran, B.J.; Ciezki, J.P.; Zietman, A.L.; Zelefsky, M.J.; Pisansky, T.M.; Elshaikh, M.; Horwitz, E.M. Comparison of biochemical failure definitions for permanent prostate brachytherapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 65: 1487-1493; 2006. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M.; Thames, H.D.; Kuban, D.A.; Levy, L.B.; Kupelian, P.A.; Martinez, A.A.; Michalski, J.M.; Pisansky T.M.; Sandler, H.M.; Shipley, W.U.; Zelefsky, M.J.; Hanks, G.E.; Zietman, A.L. Definitions Of Biochemical Failure That Best Predict Clinical Failure In Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With External Beam Radiation Alone - A Multi-Institutional Pooled Analysis. Journal of Urology 173:797-802; 2005. PubMed
Horwitz, E.M.; Uzzo, R.G.; Hanlon, A.L.; Greenberg, R.E.; Hanks, G.E.; Pollack, A. Modifying the ASTRO definition of biochemical failure to minimize the influence of backdating in patients with prostate cancer treated with 3D conformal radiation therapy alone. Journal of Urology 169: 2153-2159; 2003. PubMed
Hanks, G.E.; Hanlon, A.L.; Epstein, B.; Horwitz, E.M. Dose response in prostate cancer with 8-12 year follow-up. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 54: 427-435; 2002. PubMed
The Pa. Discussed my case with the Dr. & then got back to me. I was well informed.
I'm thankful for Dr. Horwitz's willingness to provide a treatment that has improved my life.
I couldn't have a better experience than I do with my doctor and his staff.
Dr. Horwitz and his nurse [...] are a great team they are professional, competent and best of all - compassionate.
Dr Horowitz is the best doctor in the world!
Dr McCurry excellent
Again always good care
Always top quality care from Dr. Horwitz and his excellent staff
Excellent experience!
Very good experience. First visit to provider to treat my condition. Staff worked with me on my physician's referral and secured an timely appointment, worked with the referring physician's office on the transfer of medical records. [...] is GREAT! Provider's nurse covered my medical history thoroughly and worked me through what would happen next. Visited with a resident prior to meeting with the provider. He also was very thorough in addressing the many questions I had about the treatment options and the risks and benefits of each. The provider and I established a bond. I feel much more comfortable now moving forward with my treatment plan.
Good.
Dr Horowitz and his team were fantastic
Very good
Dr. and staff were very friendly and professional.
Made to feel comfortable as soon as I arrived.
Actually look forward to talking to this doctor and "feel" good about the interaction afterwards.
EASY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DOCTOR !
I sold nuclear medicine equipment and have known a lot of doctors - Dr. Eric Horwitz is rated at the "top."
It was a good experience!
Great
very personable
good
all good
Doctor was very helpful answered all questions
Dr. Horwitz and his Resident were excellent
[...], and Horwitz are great in providing info. and listening.
Dr. Horwitz is excellent. He is the best. Dr. Horwitz and his staff did an excellent job.
I have recommended this provider to others.
All good.
Good - saved my life!!!