John P. Einck, MD, a radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of prostate, breast and gynecological cancers, has joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at UC San Diego Medical Center and Moores UCSD Cancer Center as Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the Division of Clinical Radiation Oncology. Einck is currently one of the most experienced brachytherapists in Southern California, and has been named twice as one of San Diego Magazine’s “Top Doctors.”
Einck earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Washington. He then served as the Residency Program Director and as a radiation oncologist at the University of Washington and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He participated in the multidisciplinary breast cancer treatment program as well as the soft tissue sarcoma clinic.
While at the University of Washington, Einck developed extensive experience in prostate brachytherapy, a treatment which involves the implantation of small radioactive “seeds” within the prostate. Brachytherapy allows high doses of radiation to be focused on the tumor, reducing the dose to the surrounding normal tissues and thus the risk of side effects. Unlike conventional prostate cancer treatment, which may require up to 8 weeks, brachytherapy is a single-visit outpatient procedure. In experienced hands, this technique has high cure rates and a low risk of toxicity.
Before coming to UC San Diego Health, Einck spent seven years in private practice working with Sharp Hospital system, most recently at Sharp Chula Vista Hospital. While in private practice, he maintained a strong interest in prostate brachytherapy. He also developed expertise in the application of brachytherapy in other tumors sites, including breast and gynecologic cancers.
Currently, Einck has been named Director of the Prostate Brachytherapy Service. In this role, he will work closely with Christopher Kane, MD, Chief of the Division of Urology, Ithaar Derweesh, MD, and other UCSD urologists, as well as urologists in the general San Diego community. He will also collaborate with Catheryn Yashar, MD, Director of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Radiation Services, to expand the interstitial brachytherapy programs in breast and cervical cancer.
UC San Diego’s Department of Radiation Oncology provides a broad range of radiotherapies to patients with cancer, including cutting-edge approaches such as image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy. With a focus on technology development, the department is making promising new therapies available to patients, many of which are not available elsewhere. The department is an integral part of the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, which is one of the nation’s 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, combining research, clinical care and community outreach to advance the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer. For more information, visit cancer.ucsd.edu.
# # #
Media Contact: Jackie Carr, 619-543-6163, jcarr@ucsd.edu