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Medical Oncology/Chemotherapy
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Services We Provide |
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Learn More... |
What is Cancer? |
Medical
Oncology/
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Dr. Gerardo Capo |
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Dr. William W. Kessler |
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Dr. Vincent E. Salerno |
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Dr. Fred Steinbaum |
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The highly-skilled and accomplished doctors at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer
Center offer extensive experience in prostate, breast, lung, colorectal,
head & neck, ovarian, liver and pancreatic cancers, multiple myeloma, leukemia, hematological
disorders, and brain tumors. Our medical oncologists and hematologists meet
with patients and their families to determine an individualized treatment
plan that is optimal for each patient.
Designed for comfort, healing and encouragement, the Medical Oncology and
Hematology Unit features 15 infusion rooms, of which 11 are private and
four, called "buddy bays," accommodate those who prefer to visit and build
relationships with other patients. All patients have their own flat-panel
color television, a comfortable lounge chair, and personal control over
lighting and temperature and room for family members. Most of the infusion
rooms are built along the glass-walled building to maximize the entry of
natural light. Nurses, passionate about providing excellent patient care,
are stationed within the infusion area to provide the best support to
patients. Nutritional and social work staff are also available to provide
education, comfort, and support to patients.
Patients at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center can depend on highly
skilled physicians who consult with their colleagues to determine the best
treatment plan for each patient. One place where these consultations can
occur is in multidisciplinary case review sessions called "Tumor Boards,"
where doctors from Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, Trinitas Hospital
and private practice meet each week to present and discuss their toughest
cases. Many patients with cancer present unique treatment challenges due to
the type, complexity or aggressiveness of the cancer, the location or spread
of the malignancy, or simply the age or overall health and condition of the
patient. The weekly tumor board meetings provide specialists with a forum
for discussion where their patients benefit from the expertise of several
physician specialists all working toward the optimal treatment plan. Among
the many disciplines represented in these weekly meetings are physicians
with specialties in radiology, pulmonology, medical oncology, radiation
oncology, hematology, urologic gynecology, gynecologic-oncology, surgery,
and Symptom Management.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy treats cancer with powerful drugs that travel through the
bloodstream in order to:
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Destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells that have metastasized to other parts of the body |
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Shrink the cancer tumors before surgery |
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Relieve symptoms caused by cancer such as pain |
What Are the Goals of Chemotherapy Treatment?
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Cure - If possible, chemotherapy is used to cure the cancer, meaning that all cancer cells are eliminated and there is no evidence of disease. |
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Control - If cure is not possible, the goal is to slow the progression of the disease (stop the cancer from evolving and spreading) in order to extend and provide the best quality of life. |
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Prevent recurrence---Preventing recurrence of cancer is given through Adjuvant therapy. This procedure is given to prevent the growth of stray cancer cells lingering in the body after surgery or radiation. |
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Shrink tumor before surgery: Shrinking the tumor before surgery, called Neo-adjuvent therapy, may be used to shrink a large tumor so that it can then be removed by surgery, resulting in a less extensive operation. |
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Relieve symptoms: Chemotherapy can be given to reduce symptoms such as pain |
Staging & Grading
Staging and Grading is the determination of the kinds of cells that make up
the cancer and how fast it is growing. The stage and grade of a cancer helps
doctors to predict how a cancer might behave, how it has progressed and how
well it may react to treatment.
Factors include:
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Location |
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Size & spread |
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Types of cells |
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Clinical history of the disease |
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Health status |
How Are Chemotherapy Drugs Given?
Depending in the type of cancer the patient has, chemotherapy drugs can be
given by:
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Mouth - Tablets, capsules or liquids are given to patients so they are conveniently orally taken at home |
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Injection - Injections can be given under the skin or into a muscle |
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Intravenous (IV) - A small catheter is inserted into the vein of the hand or lower arm. |
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IV infusion - IV infusions drip slowly; the period of time the drip continues may depend on the type and number of medications. |
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IV Push - Given directly through the IV from a syringe, which is given by a nurse over a few minutes. |
An implanted port is recommended to those patients that require frequent
and/or long-term delivery of medications directly into the bloodstream. A
port can also be suggested by a doctor if smaller veins which are typically
used for injection of medications are damaged, injured or have poor blood
flow.