Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang Receives the Eugene P. Schonfeld Award for His Commitment to Fighting Kidney Cancer

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc., the nation's leading integrated cancer care company uniting the largest network of community-based oncologists to advance cancer care in America and improve the quality of life for cancer patients, announced today that Nicholas Vogelzang, M.D., oncologist and renowned investigator at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN), an affiliate of the United Network of US Oncology, was presented with the prestigious Eugene P. Schonfeld Award from The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA). KCA is a charitable organization dedicated to funding and promoting research projects to find a cure for kidney cancer. Dr. Vogelzang received the award and gave the Eugene P. Schonfeld Memorial Lecture at the Ninth International Kidney Cancer Symposium on Oct. 1-2 in Chicago.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101004/DA75672)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101004/DA75672)

"This is the 20th anniversary of the Kidney Cancer Association, and Dr. Vogelzang has been an asset since the very beginning," said Ronald M. Bukowski, M.D., KCA Board of Directors member and chairperson of the KCA Medical and Scientific Steering Committee. "In fact, Dr. Vogelzang was instrumental in the founding of the KCA with Gene Schonfeld, and has contributed to the development of the new renal cell carcinoma treatment paradigm. In view of his significant contributions to the area, he is an outstanding recipient of the 2010 Schonfeld Award."

More than 330 medical oncologists, urologists, and scientists involved in the clinical and research aspects of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) attended the Ninth International Kidney Cancer Symposium where Dr. Vogelzang was honored. These healthcare professionals took part in a scientific forum where they were updated on the biology and treatment of RCC.

"Our whole team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada is extremely proud of Dr. Vogelzang," said James Sanchez, M.D., practice president, CCCN. "He deserves this recognition. His accomplishments in medical oncology and research are admirable, and the passion he has for his patients is inspiring."

As a founding member of the Kidney Cancer Association, Dr. Vogelzang served on the Association's Board of Directors. He has written numerous peer-reviewed articles and abstracts on kidney cancer and has given hundreds of lectures and presentations to his peers. Specializing in genitourinary cancer and mesothelioma, Dr. Vogelzang is a highly respected medical oncologist and renowned cancer investigator practicing at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. He is also the chair of the Developmental Therapeutics Committee for US Oncology Research, which unites the nation's largest network of community-based cancer researchers and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Oncology, Inc. Because of his vast experience in clinical research, Dr. Vogelzang also serves on the Research Executive Committee for US Oncology, a group that sets policy on scientific and clinical research issues in the research realm for the United Network of US Oncology.

"Dr. Vogelzang's expertise and work ethic are tremendous assets to the US Oncology Research Network and to the industry at large," said Stephen Jones, M.D., medical director, US Oncology Research. "We are proud of his life-long work in the fight against cancer as well as his commitment to providing patients high-quality cancer care. We congratulate him on his award, and we are very pleased that he is a key part of US Oncology Research and the United Network of US Oncology."

"This award is a tremendous honor," said Dr. Vogelzang. "I knew Gene Schonfeld. He was a brilliant Ph.D. in journalism, a kidney cancer patient, visionary and activist. For years he and I travelled the country organizing annual patient conferences. He saw the benefits of having patients, their families and their oncologists all working together for a common goal: to more effectively treat and ultimately cure kidney cancer. He successfully encouraged FDA approval of IL2 [for the treatment of kidney cancer]. To receive recognition in his name means a lot to me."

About Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada is the award-winning group of medical, pediatric, radiation oncologists and breast surgeons in the state with 12 cancer centers and offices throughout the greater Las Vegas Valley. The radiation oncology services offered by the group are accredited by the American College of Radiology.  With a specialized physician and nursing staff, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada offers sophisticated diagnostic tools, the latest advances in cancer treatment, a full range of innovative, exclusive services and research-based care in a supportive and caring environment. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada is united in healing with US Oncology (www.usoncology.com), one of the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research networks. The association provides practice physicians with the opportunity to confer and consult with more than 1,300 physicians, nationwide, regarding patient care and research protocols. The group is also affiliated with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), which allows patients to participate in clinical trials developed by UCLA faculty while remaining in Southern Nevada. For more information, visit the company's website at www.cccnevada.com.

About Kidney Cancer Association

The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA), founded in 1990 by a small group of patients and medical doctors in Chicago, is a charitable organization made up of patients, family members, physicians, researchers, and other health professionals globally. We fund, promote, and collaborate with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Urological Association (AUA), and other institutions on research projects.  We educate families and physicians, and serve as an advocate on behalf of patients at the state and federal levels.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.