T
here is an old adage that says when
it comes to solving problems,
two heads are better than one.
If that is indeed the case, then the
new Neuro Tumor Board meeting at
Kadlec Regional Medical Center is this
adage in action and patients clearly benefit.
Once a month, a roomful of highly
skilled physicians gather to discuss patients
with primary and metastatic cancers to
the brain and spine.The multidisciplinary
team includes neurosurgeons,
neuroradiologists, pathologists, medical
oncologists and radiation oncologists.The
physicians examine diagnostic and clinical
information and then the group explores
options to develop an individualized
treatment plan for the patient.
“
This goes to the heart of
improving patient care,” said Kadlec
New Neuro Tumor Board:
Taking on cancer of the brain and spine
Neuroscience Center neurosurgeon
Cheerag Upadhyaya, MD, MSc.“There
is real value in everyone reviewing all of
the available information and offering
their perspective. Each physician brings
expertise in their area. For example, the
neuroradiologist may see a subtlety that
could impact the course of treatment,
or I may recommend surgery while
the radiation oncologist may suggest
radiation. And for some patients, we
may coordinate a specialized type
of focused radiation — stereotactic
radiosurgery — that involves both
a neurosurgeon and a radiation
oncologist.”
The team may suggest a combination
of treatments — surgery, radiology or
oncology — either simultaneously or in
a specific sequence.
Although the patient advantage is
the most compelling, the tumor board
has other benefits.“We learn from each
other, even within our own specialties,”
said Dr. Upadhyaya.“We come from
different institutions — for example, the
University of Michigan; University of
California, San Francisco; Mayo Clinic;
and Memorial Sloan-Kettering — and
bring these different perspectives to the
Tri-Cities. This exchange of information
is an advantage for all our patients, not
just the cases being discussed. These
cases are complex and patients benefit
from having a multidisciplinary team
approach to their care,” he said.
Meeting patient needs
Kadlec Health System continues to
expand to meet patient needs. Two
projects now underway focus on just
that — making sophisticated care more
convenient.
1100
Goethals Medical Office
The 60,000-square-foot building
will bring together Kadlec Neuroscience
Center along with most of Kadlec Health
System’s outpatient specialty care.
Freestanding Emergency
Department
The 25,000-square-foot building in
Kennewick will house a full emergency
staff providing around-the-clock care.
The new ER will be able to handle any
emergency that would be presented at
Kadlec’s ER and will transfer patients as
appropriate.
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Mary Lynn Merriman, MLM Communications, editor; Kim Fetrow,
ImageWorks Media Group; Mark Roberts Photography: photography.
Pacesetter
Editorial Board chair:
Nikki Ostergaard
Pacesetter
Editorial Board members:
Al Wichtendahl,
Angela Mohondro,Antoinette Burnside, Bryan Payne, Delt Clark,
Heidi Hill, Jeff Clark, Jim Hall, Julie Chavez, Julie Meek, Kris Gauntt,
Linda Moran, Meg Fallows, Nan Domenici, Renee Sams, Roger Casey,
Stephanie Williams
The material in
Pacesetter
is not intended for diagnosing or
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of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary
guidelines. Information in
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comes from a wide range of
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Copyright © 2012; Coffey Communications, Inc. CUN28863