Coordinated Breast Care
at Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center (June 2007)
A new diagnosis of breast cancer is frightening and overwhelming for many women. There are many treatment options and women often visit a surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist to review all these options. All of these physician visits are time consuming and may actually delay treatment for some patients. Now, breast cancer patients treated at the Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center at St. Vincent's Health Center are offered an opportunity to meet with a variety of physicians in the same place on the same day. This new option is convenient for patients and may help ease anxiety over decisions regarding breast cancer treatment. Scot Ackerman, M.D., Chief of Radiation Oncology at the Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center explains, “This is a unique one of a kind clinic in North Florida. Previously, we as Radiation Oncologists had been working collaboratively with surgeons and medical oncologists to make treatment decisions with patients. We decided to locate the disciplines together in one location two days per week for a Breast Clinic. Now, we can see patients on the same day and give the patient a joint recommendation very quickly. In addition to the physicians, we have nurses and social workers to provide education and supportive resources”.
Patients benefit from this collaboration and most likely experience less anxiety over deciding on a treatment plan. First Coast Oncology patients can feel confident about their treatment decisions knowing that their physicians have reviewed all of their options and they can start their treatment in a timely manner. For more information about the Breast Clinic at the Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center, please call 904-308-7411.
IGRT Arrives in Mandarin and Nassau Facilities (January 2007)
First Coast Oncology has added Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) to their facilities in Mandarin and Nassau. Patients started receiving this advanced and most recent technology starting at the end of December. This new technology will increase treatment accuracy to within one millimeter of the tumor with the expectation of increasing tumor control and decreasing side effects. IGRT is a new technology that will improve the quality and precision of the radiation therapy that patients receive at these First Coast Oncology facilities. IGRT works by taking pictures of a patient’s tumor prior to each treatment. The therapists then use a sequence of images that will precisely show the change in position of a patient’s tumor or organs. Our internal organs are always in motion and their location can change slightly between treatments. The therapist will then be able to move the treatment table to ensure a more exact beam of radiation. Paul Ossi, MD, Radiation Oncologist at First Coast Oncology, explains, “This new technology will increase treatment accuracy to within one millimeter of the tumor with the expectation of increasing tumor control and decreasing side effects.” The benefit of IGRT is that it accounts for tumor and body movement resulting in more precise radiation treatments and fewer side effects so that less healthy tissue is exposed to radiation.
First Coast Oncology currently uses Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for patients and will now use these two systems in coordination to provide the highest quality of accuracy for tumor reduction. Both treatments are covered by Medicare and most major health insurance plans. The manufacturer of the system, BrainLab, installed the equipment in the Mandarin and Nassau locations of First Coast Oncology in December and started treating patients with this new technology in January. Jan Margolies, Practice Administrator, First Coast Oncology, states, “Our mission at First Coast Oncology is to provide the most advanced radiation treatment available, in a compassionate and respectful environment. This new technology supports our commitment to provide the latest cutting edge cancer treatments to patients in Northeast Florida.” Please visit our Mandarin or Nassau locations to learn more about this new technology.
