Eric M. Horwitz, MD
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Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Chair, Radiation Oncology
Gerald E. Hanks Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology
Specialties
Treatment Focus
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic body Radiation Therapy (SbRT)
- HDR temporary prostate brachytherapy
- LDR permanent prostate brachytherapy
Key Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Docs, 2002, 2005-2016
- America’s Top Doctors® 2016
- Newsweek Top Cancer Doctors, 2015
- Best Doctors in America® 2013-2014
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
- Residency, Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
- MD Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 1992
- BA, Major: History, Minor: Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 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 Docs, 2002, 2005-2016
- America’s Top Doctors®, 2016
- Newsweek Top Cancer Doctors, 2015
- Best Doctors in America®, 2013-2014
- Volunteer Service Award, American Board of Radiology, 2014
- Distinguished Service Award, American Brachytherapy Society, 2010
Daniel Haubrich
Daniel Haubrich
In 2006, at the age of 55, Daniel Haubrich was successfully treated for prostate cancer at Fox Chase Cancer Center. “Choosing Fox Chase was the best decision I’ve ever made,” admits Daniel.
Ed Horowitz
Ed Horowitz
During a routine exam in May 2007, Ed Horowitz's urologist told him, "Your prostate feels normal, but due to your age (69), I am going to order a PSA blood test." Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests indicate a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. Because Ed's levels were elevated, his doctor ordered a biopsy.
James Slade
James Slade
Jim Slade wants the world to understand the importance of cancer screenings, especially for prostate and colon cancers. The underlying reason for his concern is that both screenings may have saved his life.
When he was in his early sixties, Jim had his first PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, which revealed slightly elevated levels. Although his levels were not alarming for prostate cancer, Jim was asked to return eight months later to be re-tested. "My PSA level climbed from 8 to 12 - that's a 50 percent increase in under a year," Jim recalled.
John Donahue
John Donahue
John Donahue was concerned about prostate cancer. From the time he had surgery for an enlarged prostate, John was always aware of his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level (a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland). Although his levels were within normal range, they were on an upward climb over a period of 3 to 4 years.
Thomas Donnelly
Thomas Donnelly
In 2005, Tom Donnelly left his teaching career to start a web development company. "Although it was a great experience, in 2008 a friend who owned an HVAC business asked me to do account management and sales for him," explained Tom. "It was a wonderful opportunity to work for a fantastic company.” Almost immediately chronic fatigue set in which Tom couldn’t explain. Assuming he was working too much, Tom ignored the weakness and fatigue for two years. He was 38 years old, his career was thriving and he was about to begin graduate school.
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
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. PMID: 12243818 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. PMID: 12771738 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. PMID: 15711272 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. PMID: 16750326 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. PMID: 16944536 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. PMID: 17947728 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. PMID: 18413638 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. PMID: 19022492 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. PMID: 21106306 PubMed
Horwitz EM. ABS brachytherapy consensus guidelines. Brachytherapy. 11(1): 4-5, 2012. PMID: 22265433 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. PMID: 22265434 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. PMID: 22931259 PubMed
Horwitz, E.M. and Weinberg, D.S. Medicare physician payment data: Is this transparency? Ann. Int. Med. 161(4): 291-292; 2014. PMID: 24912560 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. PMID: 25964638 PubMed
