Dr. Georgios Pongas, MD is an Oncology specialist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive oncological care for older adults. He is a registered physician with the Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and is affiliated with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, FL. As a general oncologist, Dr. Pongas provides expert medical care for older adults (65+) facing cancer diagnoses, including common cancers like breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemia. He works collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to manage complex conditions and create a personalized treatment plan, ensuring a supportive and informed approach to your health journey.
Dr. Georgios Pongas, MD is a hematologist in Miami, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field, offering extensive experience in Lymphatic System Disorders. He earned his medical degree from the University of Crete, School of Health Sciences/Division of Medicine in 2007. He is Board Certified in Hematology, Internal Medicine, and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Pongas is affiliated with Jackson Memorial Hospital and is committed to providing evidence-based, collaborative care, ensuring that patients and their families feel empowered and heard throughout their healthcare journey. He is fluent in Greek and also offers consultations in Spanish. New patients are welcome; please call (305) 243-5302 to schedule an appointment.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Georgios Pongas is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Pongas is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering compassionate and comprehensive oncological care. He meticulously addresses the unique needs of older adults facing cancers like breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemia, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to develop a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes the patient's comfort and well-being.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Georgios Pongas can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Ambetter
- AvMed
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueCare HMO
- BlueOptions
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Large Group POS
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- FL Medical Providers
- Florida Blue
- HMO Premier HMO
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- LocalPlus
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate Plus POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Seamless HMO
- Select HMO
- SimplyBlue
- Small Group Elect HMO
- Superior Health Plan
- SureFit South Florida
- UnitedHealthCare
- myBlue
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Georgios Pongas provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow and form tumors in the lungs, and treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, can help manage the disease and improve breathing and overall comfort.
- Thyroid Cancer: While thyroid cancer can be concerning, advancements in treatment often allow for effective management, allowing seniors to preserve their independence and focus on what matters most to them.
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: Dealing with ALCL, a fast-growing type of lymphoma, involves a team approach with medical professionals who customize treatment plans to ease side effects and enhance your comfort, helping you live more fully.
- Testicular Cancer: While less common in seniors, testicular cancer is treatable, and focusing on early detection through regular checkups with your doctor can help ensure the best possible outcomes.
- Mature T and NK-Cell Cancer: This type of cancer involves mature immune cells called T and NK cells, and treatment, tailored to the individual, aims to control the disease and enhance quality of life for seniors.
- Urinary Tract Cancer: Urinary tract cancer treatment plans are tailored to each individual's needs, taking into account age and overall health, with a goal of relieving symptoms and extending life expectancy.
- Chordoma: Because chordomas are rare cancers located near the skull or spine, treatment focuses on carefully balancing the removal of the tumor with preserving quality of life and independence, often involving surgery and/or radiation.
- Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma: Mediastinal B-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer where lymphoma cells build up in the mediastinum (the space in the chest between the lungs), and treatments like chemotherapy or radiation can help manage symptoms and improve your comfort.
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the blood cells, and while it might sound serious, many seniors live with it for years with minimal symptoms and only need occasional check-ups to monitor its progress.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia: In AML, the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells that don't function properly, leading to fatigue and other symptoms; modern treatments like chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants can significantly extend life and improve quality of life.
- Follicular Lymphoma Grade 1: Follicular lymphoma grade 1 is a slow-growing type of blood cancer that often doesn't require immediate treatment, allowing many seniors to maintain their quality of life.
- Follicular Lymphoma Grade 3A: Follicular lymphoma grade 3A is a type of blood cancer that grows more quickly than some other lymphomas, but with the right treatment, many seniors can live full and active lives.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Georgios Pongas offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Bone Marrow Biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy helps doctors understand the extent of certain cancers, such as multiple myeloma, allowing for more precise treatment planning and better management of your condition.
- Plasmapheresis: As part of your comprehensive cancer care plan, plasmapheresis might be used to filter out antibodies or other proteins contributing to your symptoms.
- Surgery, Robotic Assisted: For seniors diagnosed with certain cancers, robotic-assisted surgery offers a less traumatic approach to tumor removal, leading to faster healing and improved quality of life.
- Prostate Surgery: As part of a comprehensive prostate cancer care plan, surgery can help remove cancerous tissue and potentially improve long-term outcomes.
- Liver Biopsy: This procedure helps determine the cause of liver abnormalities detected in imaging scans, which could be related to cancer, aiding in effective care management.
- Thoracoscopic Excision of Lung With Robotic Assistance: This minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions and robotic assistance to remove a lung tumor, helping seniors with lung cancer receive effective treatment while minimizing discomfort.
- Gastrointestinal Surgery: This surgical procedure helps diagnose the extent of cancer in the digestive system and allows surgeons to remove cancerous tissue to enhance treatment effectiveness.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Oncology in Florida.
Dr. Georgios Pongas is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving compassionate care for lung cancer, a senior was able to resume their beloved hobby of gardening, finding renewed strength and joy in the process.
- With careful treatment for thyroid cancer, a senior was able to resume her beloved watercolor painting hobby, a cherished activity that brought her immense joy. Her family felt relieved knowing she could continue to enjoy her passions.
- With a customized treatment plan, a senior with ALCL found relief from debilitating fatigue, allowing them to reconnect with their favorite hobby of playing the piano again.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Hematology)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Oncological care with Dr. Georgios Pongas:
- What is an Oncologist?
- Dr. Pongas and our team are medical oncologists, specializing in diagnosing and treating cancer with medications like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We often work alongside surgical and radiation oncologists to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient's needs.
- What can I expect at my first visit with an oncologist?
- Your first visit with Dr. Pongas will be a comprehensive consultation to gather information and begin forming a plan. It will involve a detailed review of your medical records, pathology reports, and imaging scans. Dr. Pongas will explain the diagnosis, discuss potential treatment options, and answer all your questions with care and compassion, marking the first step in a partnership to manage your care.
- Is age a factor in deciding on cancer treatment?
- While age is considered, Dr. Pongas prioritizes a patient's overall health, fitness, and personal goals when determining treatment. Personalized plans are crafted to be just as effective while minimizing side effects and preserving independence.
- What is radiation therapy?
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells, while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. It's a localized treatment, affecting only the area being treated. The procedure itself is painless, similar to an X-ray.
- What does it mean if my prostate cancer is managed with 'active surveillance'?
- Active surveillance is a safe and standard way to manage slow-growing, low-risk prostate cancer. It involves closely monitoring the cancer with regular blood tests and biopsies, rather than immediate surgery or radiation. This approach avoids treatment side effects for cancers that may not cause problems.
- What is chemotherapy and what are the side effects?
- Chemotherapy is a powerful medication used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Side effects are a major concern, but common ones like fatigue, nausea, and hair loss can be effectively managed with excellent medications and supportive care strategies, preserving quality of life during treatment.
- What is immunotherapy?
- Immunotherapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment that uses your body's own immune system to find and fight cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly kills cancer cells, immunotherapy "unleashes" your immune system to do the work. It's often a well-tolerated approach to cancer care.
- What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
- Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and stress from serious illness, like cancer, and can be provided at any stage alongside curative treatment. Hospice care is comfort care when curative treatment is no longer pursued. Dr. Pongas's practice offers both options to ensure the best possible care for our patients.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
1475 NW 12th Ave
Miami FL 33136
Phone: (305) 243-5302
Dr. Georgios Pongas, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1487974770
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Oncology like Dr. Georgios Pongas are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.