Expanded outpatient services add convenience, access to highly specialized care


Because research shows eating and sleeping at home promotes patient recovery, and more procedures can now be done in a clinic, the Clinical Cancer Center is expanding Day Hospital and outpatient services.


“These changes are exciting, because we will be able to see more patients and offer new procedures in the Clinical Cancer Center," said Tina Curtis, RN, director of outpatient cancer services. “Having these services under one roof is more convenient and familiar for patients.”


The Day Hospital will add 10 patient bays and private rooms to better meet the needs of patients who require chemotherapy, blood products, other types of infusions or advanced services which might otherwise require hospitalization. It is expanding to serve the needs of the growing number of cancer patients who are able to be treated appropriately in an outpatient setting.


Space in the Clinical Cancer Center will also be dedicated to performing more procedures, such as biopsies and fine needle aspirations. Patients will be able to have a port (a device to access veins easily for the comfort of the patient) placed at the Clinical Cancer Center, rather than in an operating room. Additionally, a new tool is helping physicians make early diagnosis of benign and malignant lung lesions. The Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ is an instrument that uses GPS-like technology to provide minimally invasive access to lesions deep in the lungs.


The world’s only whole genome cancer assessments


Genes play an important role in telling us who is more likely to develop cancer. While genetic testing and genetic counseling are widely available, until now, they were limited to specific, more common cancers. A new service called whole genome sequencing is being considered for patients at the Clinical Cancer Center.


Whole genome sequencing provides an assessment for a range of cancers, including rarer diseases such as pancreatic cancer. The process makes it possible for patients to


have their entire genome (all genes) tested.


The "guru" of whole genome sequencing is David Dimmock, MD, a Medical College of Wisconsin geneticist. His work with pediatric patients at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has put this important tool on the world stage. Children's Hospital is currently the only location in the world to offer the service.


“The ultimate goal is that someone who is predisposed to cancer never gets it,” Dr. Dimmock said. “This is not a test to see if you have cancer, but to see if you have an increased risk for developing it.” Armed with this information, people may be able to mitigate risk through pre-disease treatments, such as medications or imaging that might find cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable.


David Dimmock, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin geneticist (pictured with research technologist Daniel Helbling), does breakthrough work with DNA sequencing.


Whole genome sequencing isn’t for everyone, Dimmock cautioned. He recommends individuals with a strong family history of cancer first undergo genetic testing and counseling that looks for cancers associated with common genes. Because whole genome sequencing costs about $20,000 and isn’t covered by all insurance carriers, the number of people having it done will be limited … for now.


Earlier intervention: palliative care


The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Palliative Care Center establishes an early relationship with patients who have life-limiting diseases, such as aggressive cancers. A New England Journal of Medicine* study of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer underscores the importance of early introduction. In the study, those who received standard treatment along with early palliative care had a better quality of life than those who received standard care alone. Furthermore, they had less aggressive care at the end of life, but lived longer. “The study debunks the misconception that there has to be a choice between care that focuses on managing symptoms or a longer life,” said Sean Marks, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin internal medicine physician in the Palliative Care Center. “As part of the team, we intervene early to treat pain and other symptoms and help patients understand their medical options,” Dr. Marks said.


*N Engl J Med 2010; 363:733-742; August 19, 2010 Special Report 2011 866-680-0505 3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24