The Multidisciplinary Clinics at Regional Cancer Center are for patients with a cancer diagnosis. The standard of care for all patients with a diagnosis of cancer is evidence-based, protocol driven, and provided by board certified physicians. At the core of the exceptional patient and family experience is a respectful partnership based on enabling patients and families to participate in their plan of care. Patients can be referred by their physician or can contact one of our navigators for a self-referral.  

Breast Clinic

Benefit for the Patient

Many recent advances in the diagnoses and treatment of breast cancer require close collaboration between cancer specialists, having different areas of expertise. The Regional Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic brings these specialists together to meet with and evaluate each patient and to develop an individualized plan of care.

What to Expect at the Clinic Visit

The Breast Clinic meets on Friday mornings and utilizes a multidisciplinary approach where the patient is examined by the surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. The visit includes a complete history, physical examination and a review of the patient's pathology and radiology reports.

After each patient is examined, the physicians meet for a multidisciplinary tumor board, where an individualized plan of care is developed using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. The multidisciplinary tumor board team consists of the surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist, plastic surgeon, genetic counselor, pharmacist and nurse navigators. For more information on the Breast Clinic or to schedule an appointment, please contact our breast cancer navigators, Dara Leichter or Tammy Zinn.

 

 Ostomy Clinic

The outpatient Ostomy Clinic is for those with fecal or urinary stomas who are experiencing difficulties with pouch adherence. The certified ostomy nurse assesses problems, suggests pouching alternatives and offers instruction, support and guidance. Preoperative instructions for patients undergoing all types of ostomy surgeries are also offered through this servce. A physician order is required. Most insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid will pay for service although a co-pay may be necessary. For more information, please contact our gastrointestinal/prostate cancer navigator, Laurie Wise.

Palliative Care Clinic

Palliative care treats individuals who suffer from serious and chronic illnesses including cancer, cardiac diseases, such as congestive heart failure, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), dementia, neurological disorders and stroke. The goal of palliative care is to relieve suffering and provide the best possible quality of life for both the patient and family. Palliative care uses customized treatments to ease pain, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. 

The Q-Life Palliative Care program consists of advanced registered nurse practitioners, a social worker, a chaplain and a board certified palliative care physician, Andrew Esch, M.D. A referral from the patient's primary or attending physician is required. The Clinic is held on Wednesday afternoons, or by appointment. For more information on the Palliative Care Clinic or to schedule an appointment, please call our Q-Life support team at 239-343-9560.