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| About the Regional Cancer Center The Regional Cancer Center was one of the first free-standing community cancer care centers in the country. Today, it is also among the largest of such facilities, providing more than a half million services per year at five locations serving three states. Upon its opening, the Center received national attention for its collaborative approach to providing cancer care. Merging the resources of Hamot Health Foundation and Saint Vincent Health System with the expertise of a private physician group made an The physicians of The Regional Cancer Center were among the first in the nation to bring major treatment specialties -- medical oncology, radiation oncology and hematology -- together in a single location. In doing so, they pioneered a cooperative approach to treatment that is only now becoming widely emulated. The achievements of the physician group in advancing cancer care have been recognized locally, regionally and nationally. Through the Erie Center and its community-based satellite facilities, The Regional Cancer Center delivers care to thousands of residents in an area encompassing eleven counties in three states. As a result of pooled resources, the expertise of a leading group of cancer care physicians and an extensive network of treatment facilities, patients throughout the region have had access to advanced technologies and treatment methods, at times before many other parts of the country. Treatment Specialties Physicians at The Regional Cancer Center are trained to diagnose and treat a number of problems. There are three types of specialties at the Center. Hematology Hematology is the study and treatment of diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs. Some disorders are a type of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Other disorders, which may or may not be cancer, include anemia and coagulation-related disorders. A variety of tests can help determine if a patient has a blood disorder, what form it takes and what treatment may be needed. Medical Oncology Medical Oncology is the specialty involved with the medical aspects of cancer. It may include medical treatments such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and others. Chemotherapy involves the use of specific drugs or drug combinations to destroy cancer cells. These drugs are taken orally, by injection, or intravenously, depending on the type of drug and treatment required. Chemotherapy may be used as a primary treatment for cancer, or it may be used in combination with surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is administered according to a specific treatment plan. The length and frequency of each session and of the total plan depend on a variety of factors. Each patient's specific treatment plan will be explained by his/her medical oncologist at the beginning of treatment. Throughout treatment, each patient's progress is continually monitored by the medical oncology physicians and staff. Patients undergoing chemotherapy will also have blood counts regularly monitored at the Center's laboratory. Radiation Oncology One of the characteristics unique to cancer cells is that they reproduce or divide differently from normal cells. When a cancer cell is exposed to radiation as it is reproducing, it will fail to divide and, instead, die. At the same time, healthy cells, which have the ability to repair themselves, will continue to grow normally. Radiation oncology, or radiotherapy, involves the use of painless, high energy x-rays which are carefully targeted at cancerous tissue by sophisticated treatment machines called linear accelerators. The linear accelerators and other equipment employed at the Center represent the most recent technological advancements. Radiation therapy is conducted, on average, over a period of four to six weeks. Each daily session is administered by a specially trained therapist and lasts only a few minutes, so daily visits to the Center are usually brief. Throughout the treatment period, patients undergoing radiation therapy are continually assessed by the radiation oncologist in charge of their care. Additional Services for Patients In order to make the treatment process as convenient as possible for patients, The Regional Cancer Center has developed a variety of services at the Erie location in support of treatment. This eliminates the need for patients to travel to additional locations for required tests and follow-up procedures. Medications for chemotherapy provided at the Center and for continued treatment at home are available from the Center's pharmacy. An on-site laboratory is available to complete most necessary blood work. In addition, the diagnostic x-ray department performs standard follow-up x-rays and mammographies. Screening mammographies for the early detection of breast cancer are also available. Finally, the Center's support services department offers a staff of patient and family support personnel including a chaplain, social service worker, financial counselor and dietitian. The Center offers patients, their families and the public a wealth of information. The lending library contains books, audio tapes and videos, and specific pamphlets are available on any topic. Additional information can be obtained from computers linked to national cancer related organizations so that current information is always available.
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unprecedented range of diagnostic and treatment capabilities available locally. The Center continues to serve as a model throughout the country for cancer care facilities.