Cancer Types
Additional Resources
Lung Cancer
| Lung/Thoracic Tumor Clinic: One of the key goals of the clinic is to reach out to physicians caring for patients with thoracic tumors and to provide a place for patients to receive multiple physician visits, imaging studies, multi-disciplinary case review and coordinated treatment plan in a single one day visit. The clinic has proven to be highly efficient for patients. In the last measurement period, patients referred to the LTTC received their first treatment on average within 16.2 days of the initial referral. This compares to reported industry averages of 86 to 126 days from presentation to treatment. Any patient with a tumor in the chest may be referred to the clinic. Patients are seen at the clinic at a variety of stages in their diagnosis and treatment from having a suspicious lesion on an imaging study to having completed the entire diagnostic workup and seeking a second opinion. Either way, the clinic proves to be highly efficient and effective for the patient. Patients are referred to the clinic by their physician, or the patient may self refer. The initial contact with the clinic is made to the nurse coordinator. This person will work with the referring physician and Dr. Keppen to determine how best to meet the patient’s needs at the clinic. All pertinent medical records, imaging studies, and pathology available are collected. Additional studies are scheduled for the day of clinic as necessary, and may include a PET/CT, CT, bronchoscopy, or biopsy to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment decisions. The patient arrives at the clinic in the Cancer Center on Thursday morning and is seen by the medical oncologist, as well as, the radiation oncologist, thoracic surgeon or pulmonologist as deemed appropriate for the individual patient. Following the morning clinic visit, the physicians gather for a collective review of the patient’s case to discuss the best course of treatment. In addition to the medical and radiation oncologists, surgeon and pulmonologist, the other physician specialists who participate in the case review represent radiology, nuclear medicine, palliative care, and pathology. Together, this multidisciplinary team develops a coordinated plan for a definitive diagnosis and treatment course. After the case review is completed, the nurse coordinator meets with the patient again in the afternoon to relay the recommended diagnostic and treatment plan to the patient and then coordinates care with the primary goal of minimizing time to begin treatment. The many benefits the patient may receive when obtaining their care in the LTTC include:
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