CANCER CARE CENTER
OVERVIEW
At O’Connor Hospital, you do not have to face a cancer diagnosis alone. Our skilled team provides effective, personalized care in a compassionate environment.
At O’Connor Hospital, outcomes for many cancers are higher than the national averages.
Benefits of Treatment at O’Connor
- Advanced early detection equipment: We have a PET CT scanner and octreotide scanner on site, which we use for advanced early detection and treatment of cancer.
- Innovative treatments: Our oncology team has access to the most advanced and effective cancer treatment such as multigene assays, an advanced treatment for personal cancer care, and immunotherapy, treatment that boosts your immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Pioneers in cancer treatments: O’Connor has the latest treatment technologies, including a linear accelerator and PET imaging. We were also the first to treat metastatic cancer with radioactive materials. These innovative treatments lead to outcomes that are higher than national averages for many cancers.
- An integrated collaborative approach to care: In our cancer program, we hold a biweekly tumor board in which surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists collaborate on treatment decisions for difficult cases. Support staff and physicians regularly attend our quarterly Cancer Care Committee meeting to discuss ongoing patient care.
- Coordinated and responsive care: Our oncologists are quick and responsive to questions either in the hospital setting or by phone or email. We provide compassionate, expert care in a team environment. We coordinate your care so it is as convenient as possible, arranging for you to meet with several members of the oncology team in a single day. Our team includes:
- Medical oncologists
- Surgical oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Interventional radiologists
ADVANCED CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Over the past two decades, vast improvements have been made in fighting this complicated disease. Our oncology team has years of experience fighting cancer and stays up-to-date on the most current diagnostic tools and treatment therapies. Learn more about diagnosis and treatment.
Innovative Diagnostic Tools
- Octreotide scan: A nuclear medicine scan (a scan that uses a small amount of radioactive materials) to detect rare types of slow-growing tumors. Learn more about nuclear medicine.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: An ultrasound to detect cancers in the esophagus, pancreas and rectum. It also helps determine the staging of the cancer (how big the tumor is and if it has spread).
- CT PET scan: A combined PET (positron emission tomography) and CT (computed tomography) scan that provides a more detailed picture of your body than either exam on its own. We also use this device to guide radiation treatments.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS): Access to a leading-edge tool that provides important information about cancer genes inside a tumor, which help personalize cancer treatment.
Some Advanced Treatments We Provide
- Immunotherapy: We are early adopters and skilled practitioners of this advanced therapy, which stimulates different parts of the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Gene therapy: We use the newest generation gene therapy drugs, which modify the abnormal gene that caused the cancer. This therapy can lead to long remission and sometimes a cure.
- Intense modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This advanced form of high-dose, high-precision radiation therapy is directed at the tumor, but spares nearby healthy tissue.
BREAST CANCER CARE CENTER
We offer the latest diagnostic and treatment options to help cure, prevent and stop the spread of breast cancer. Learn more about breast cancer care.
Some of these options include:
- Digital mammography: This diagnostic device provides more detailed images than conventional film mammograms for women with dense breast tissue.
- Genetic hereditary profile: We use this advanced genetic profile to determine if a person has one or more abnormal genes associated with breast cancer. This information can help guide treatment choices.
- Multigene assay: This innovative multigene test provides information about the size and grade of the tumor, which helps oncologists customize and personalize treatment.
- Advanced radiation technique: Our new, shorter course of therapy treats breast cancer safely and effectively in as little as 3 weeks. Previously, patients received treatment over the course of 6 weeks.
CANCER AND TUMOR REGISTRIES
At O’Connor, we collect anonymous data on all cancer patients including cancer diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up. These registries help us continually improve patterns of patient care, quality of treatment and outcomes. For you, this information translates into the best and most effective cancer treatments and excellent care and outcomes.
TUMOR BOARD AND CANCER CARE COMMITTEE
At O’Connor, we take a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. At our bi-weekly tumor board meeting, cancer physicians meet to discuss particularly challenging cases to determine the best treatment option. At the quarterly Cancer Care Committee, the entire cancer team, including physicians and support staff, meets to discuss quality improvement and patient care.