When a patient is admitted to the OCU, an individualized plan of care is developed based on patient goals, initial assessment and physician recommendations. The plan and goals are continually evaluated to determine the patient's progress and areas of priority.
Breast Cancer Care
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast start to grow abnormally in an uncontrolled manner. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, although lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. About one percent of all breast cancer occurs in adult men.
Because of its close proximity to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, the Breast Care Center of North Texas and Texas Oncology, P.A., the Lisa Trent Breast Center can help provide a comprehensive continuum of care and seamless transition from well-woman screening services, to diagnosis, to treatment and after-care. In the Lisa Trent Breast Center, digital mammograms are provided through Solis. Should a woman be suspected of having breast cancer as a result of a positive mammogram, and if referred by her physician, she can be seen by an oncologist on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB to confirm the diagnosis.
Upon diagnosis, the woman can be referred to an oncologist on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB to begin the treatment process. Texas Health HEB also offers breast cancer navigation services by a nurse navigator qualified in support services, education and referrals.
All of these services are provided on the campus of Texas Health HEB, making them easily accessible. If you need to schedule a digital mammogram, please follow this link. If you need a physician referral, search our directory or call 1-877-THR-WELL (1-877-847-9355).
Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. It's the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. If everyone age 50 and older had regular colorectal cancer screening tests, more than one third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided, according to the American Cancer Society.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are cancers in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in certain hormone-making cells of the digestive, or gastrointestinal, system. The digestive system absorbs vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water from the food that is eaten and stores waste until the body eliminates it.
There are often no signs of a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor in its early stages. Often the cancer will make too much of some of the hormones, which can cause symptoms.
Gynecological Cancers
Texas Health HEB is fortunate to have a Gynecology Oncologist on the medical staff to treat patients diagnosed with various types of gynecological cancers. In addition, Texas Health HEB offers gynecologic oncology surgical procedures via the da Vinci® Surgical System.
The Siratt Women's Center strives to provide a pleasant stay for both the patient and their family. Not only does the Siratt Women's Center provide quality care, but the all-female staff is able to emotionally comfort both the patient and their family.
Leukemia
Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow (in the case of leukemia and myeloma) or in lymphatic tissues (in the case of lymphoma).
Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired (not inherited) genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. The accumulation of malignant cells interferes with the body's production of healthy blood cells and makes the body unable to protect itself against infections.
These cancers are treated by physicians who specialize in hematology and oncology. Texas Health HEB has many oncologist/hematologists on staff who treat patients with these diseases.
Liver Cancer
Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells start to grow in the tissues of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, filling the upper right side of the abdomen and protected by the rib cage. The liver has many functions. It has an important role in making food into energy and also filters and stores blood.
People who have hepatitis B or C (viral infections of the liver) or a disease of the liver called cirrhosis are more likely than other people to get adult primary liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is different from cancer that has spread from another place in the body to the liver.
Radio-Frequency Tumor Ablation (RFA) is giving hope to cancer patients with otherwise inoperable liver tumors. The minimally invasive procedure, performed at Texas Health HEB, uses low frequency electrical energy to generate heat that kills cancerous growths inside the liver.
Once cancer has spread to the liver the options for treatment are usually limited. Radio-Frequency Tumor Ablation provides a new treatment option to individuals who may not tolerate major surgery or who do not respond to other treatments. Using a special needle-electrode placed directly into the tumor, heat is generated by a low intensity electrical energy called radio-frequency. When the tissue temperatures rise to sufficient levels, the targeted tumor dies.
"Not all liver tumors can be removed safely and effectively using traditional, invasive surgical procedures," said Robert Sewell, M.D., a surgeon who performs RFA at Texas Health HEB. "Cancer that has spread to the liver presents a number of problems. Tumors may be numerous and are often scattered throughout the liver, making it impractical or even impossible to surgically remove the growths without significant damage to healthy liver tissue.
"In many cases, attempting a major liver resection would do more harm than good," Sewell said. "The RFA procedure is not a cure for liver cancer, but it may add to a cancer patient's useful life and give them hope for a future that might otherwise be unobtainable."
Physicians routinely use MRI and CT scans to evaluate the liver for possible tumors, but these tests often fail to show the full extent of the cancer and whether or not the tumors can be successfully treated with RFA. The most accurate determination of the extent of the cancer can be made by using intraoperative ultrasound, or a direct examination of the liver during the laparoscopic operation.
Using the ultrasound images as a roadmap, the surgeon guides the RFA needle-electrode into the tumor where the low frequency electrical energy generates heat and kills the tumor. Radio-Frequency Tumor Ablation allows the surgeon to target just the tumor and a small rim of normal liver around the tumor, minimizing the risk to surrounding healthy tissue.
Patients treated with RFA usually go home the next day with far less discomfort than those whose tumors are surgically removed, Sewell said.
Sewell has trained more than 100 surgeons in RFA. He was recently honored for his efforts by receiving the Presbyterian Institute for Minimally Invasive Technology's (PIMIT) Distinguished Faculty Award for 2001.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women. There were an estimated 164,100 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 156,900 deaths from lung cancer in the United States in 2000.
There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more common. It usually spreads to different parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma, ademocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are three types of non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer also called "oat cell cancer," accounts for roughly 20 percent of all lung cancer. Visit the American Lung Association website for more information about prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Lung cancer is treated by many physicians depending on the type and stage of the lung cancer. Specialists who treat lung cancer are thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and pulmonologists. Follow this link for a list of oncology physicians on the medical staff.
Lymphedema Clinic
Physical therapists have received specialty certification in lymphedema therapy. Patients must receive a referral from a physician to begin the program. The first visit consists of an evaluation by a licensed physical therapist. During the first appointment a therapy schedule will be established. Therapy frequency and duration is individualized to patient need and the interventions may include manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise and education. Evaluations and treatments take place in individual treatment rooms to ensure comfort and privacy.
Mammography
On the campus of Texas Health HEB, digital mammograms are provided through Solis inside the Lisa Trent Breast Center. The center is located inside the Texas Health HEB Professional 1 Building at 1615 Hospital Parkway, Suite 108.
To make an appointment for a mammogram, fill out our online form or call 817-857-2800.
MammoSite
This year, hundreds of women in Tarrant County will be diagnosed with breast cancer. But thanks to advancing techniques now offered at Texas Health HEB, they have new options available to them for treatment.
"For the past 20 to 30 years, breast cancer treatment has moved toward breast conservation techniques such as lumpectomy and radiation therapy, rather than total removal of the breast," said Mary Brian, M.D., a breast surgeon on the medical staff at Texas Health HEB. "A new procedure called MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) takes that trend even further by utilizing radiation seed implants to treat breast cancer."
MammoSite has been created specifically for use with breast cancer, and Texas Health HEB is the first hospital in Tarrant County to offer it. After the tumor has been removed during a lumpectomy, a latex balloon catheter with two channels is placed in the cavity. Twice daily for five days, the catheter's channels are connected to a high-dose brachytherapy machine for about five minutes to deliver radiation directly to the site.
"MammoSite may be an ideal option for some women because it reduces the duration of treatment," said Janice Tomberlin, M.D., a radiation oncologist on the medical staff. "MammoSite treatment only continues for about five days, so it's more convenient than standard radiation therapy, which requires daily visits to a radiation therapy center for six to seven weeks."
The MammoSite RTS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2002. The technique is a less invasive form of breast brachytherapy, or the treatment of cancer by placing tiny radioactive seeds directly into or adjacent to tumors.
The balloon catheter is inserted uninflated into the tumor cavity either at the time of the lumpectomy or shortly thereafter under ultrasound guidance. Once in place, the balloon is inflated with a saline solution to a diameter of four to five centimeters.
The radiation machine delivers the radioactive seeds to the center of the balloon via the catheter's two channels, providing radiation to the lumpectomy site and one-centimeter in diameter around the cavity and reducing the radiation exposure to healthy tissue. Side effects are limited to the area around the lumpectomy rather than to the entire breast as common with traditional whole-breast radiation treatment.
For best results, MammoSite requires strict selection criteria for treatment. Potential candidates are women whose tumor is three centimeters or less in diameter. Women must also be free from evidence of tumors in other parts of the breast or in the lymph nodes.
Mary Brian, M.D., and Janice Tomberlin, M.D., physicians on the medical staff, are working together to pioneer this treatment in Northeast Tarrant County. Brian is a general surgeon and Tomberlin is a radiation oncologist. Both specialize in the treatment of breast cancer. For more information, call 817-662-0008.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is of high significance for cancer patients. The Clinical Nutrition department is very much involved in each patient's care. Thorough nutrition assessments are completed for each patient. Each assessment includes an assessment of caloric, protein and other nutrient needs, identification of current nutrition problems, and goals and approaches for each problem with routine follow ups on all patients.
Cancer and cancer treatment alters the body's ability to tolerate certain types of food and nutrients properly. Nutrient needs vary from for each individual. The clinical nutrition staff identifies the needs of each patient and is dedicated to working with each patient to assist them in meeting their goals.
Good nutrition, while undergoing cancer treatment, will help patients:
- Feel better and have more strength and energy
- Prevent weight loss and maintain the body's storage of nutrients
- Improve tolerance of treatment-related side effects
- Decrease risk of infections
- Promote faster healing and recovery
Common problems experienced by cancer patients include:
- Changes in taste and smell
- Poor appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Sore or irritated mouth or throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth or thick saliva
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss
- Weakened immune system
The clinical nutrition staff is dedicated to managing these issues while the patient is hospitalized. The staff strives to educate the patient on how to self-manage the same or similar problems at home after discharge.
Educational materials, recipes, supplements are supplied as needed. These items are also available by home delivery. Patients are encouraged to call the clinical nutrition office after discharge for assistance.
Radiology
Texas Health HEB has an 18,900-square-foot Radiology Department. The $7 million project features all-digital and filmless imaging.
The new department is equipped with the Synapse Total Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) by FujiFilm Medical Systems USA, Inc. PACS uses images produced from multiple exam equipment, such as CT, ultrasound, MRI and X-ray, and sends the results in a digital format to a server, allowing physicians on the medical staff to view patient exams at computer terminals throughout the hospital. Exams will be available online for review immediately upon completion, providing on-demand information access.
"With online viewing, physicians will be able to view their patient's exams from any nurse's station in the hospital, eliminating the need for them to come to the Radiology Department to read reports and increasing the overall efficiency of imaging services," said Chris Gaines, director of radiology.
Along with all new equipment, an additional multi-slice CT scanner and third nuclear medicine unit have been added to the department, decreasing the wait time for scheduling exams.
"The additional CT scanner and nuclear medicine equipment enable us to increase the number of patients we serve while decreasing the wait time," Gaines said.
The multi-slice CT scanner also makes way for Texas Health HEB Hospital to perform such advanced procedures as virtual colonoscopy and cardiac scoring. |
