Erlanger Hospital: Comprehensive Cancer Care Center?

Erlanger Hospital provides healthcare services to a 50,000-square-mile region spanning four states. The hospital offers cancer treatment services, including radiation oncology, infusion centers, and genetic testing to identify cancer predispositions. Erlanger also provides innovative cancer treatment technologies, such as robotic surgery, and is a leader in treating specific cancers, including cervical, liver, colon, and lung cancer. The hospital has a multidisciplinary oncology team and is committed to providing compassionate care to cancer patients. Erlanger's Center for Breast Health is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and offers advanced technologies for breast cancer screening and treatment.

Erlanger's multidisciplinary oncology team

Erlanger hospital offers a comprehensive approach to cancer care with a multidisciplinary team of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists. This team of specialists works together to review each patient's treatment options and provide the most innovative and effective treatments.

Erlanger's oncology team offers a wide range of services and treatments for various cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, and metastatic colon cancer. They are also the only provider in the region to offer yttrium-90 (Y-90) treatment for liver and metastatic colon cancer. The hospital is equipped with the latest technology, such as the da Vinci "S" surgical system, which allows for minimally invasive robotic surgery, reducing hospitalization and recovery times.

The multidisciplinary team at Erlanger also includes nurse navigators, dietitians, and social workers who provide compassionate support to patients throughout their cancer journey. They also have a board-certified geneticist who helps identify genetic predispositions in cancer patients and tailor interventions and treatments accordingly.

Erlanger's Center for Breast Health is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and offers advanced technologies such as Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis and Bone Density Testing. They also provide patients with Genetics Counselors and Certified Breast Cancer Navigators to guide and support them through diagnosis and treatment.

Erlanger's commitment to staying at the forefront of cancer treatment is evident through their utilization of the latest technology, clinical trials, and research. Their state-of-the-art Infusion Center, for example, allows oncology patients to receive chemotherapy in a comfortable outpatient setting.

Breast cancer screening and treatment

Erlanger Hospital's Center for Breast Health is a NAPBC-accredited program that offers advanced Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis, Bone Density Testing, and Genetic Counselling. The centre also provides patients with a Certified Breast Cancer Navigator to guide them through diagnosis and treatment.

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer screening can help detect cancer early, making it easier to treat. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women aged 40-74 who are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Mammograms are x-rays of the breast that can detect abnormal tissue, including cancer, before symptoms appear. They are currently the best way to find breast cancer early for most women of screening age.

Other screening methods include clinical breast exams (CBE), where a doctor or nurse examines the breast for lumps or unusual changes, and breast self-exams, where women familiarise themselves with how their breasts look and feel to notice any concerning symptoms.

Breast Cancer Treatment

If breast cancer is detected, tests are conducted to study the cancer cells to determine the treatment options. Treatment depends on the type and stage of breast cancer, as well as the patient's overall health, menopause status, and personal preferences.

Breast cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and other drug treatments. Surgery is a common treatment, with most women undergoing surgery to remove the tumour. Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer with radiation beams, while chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to reach cancer cells throughout the body.

It is important for patients to discuss their treatment options and potential side effects with their doctors and seek a second opinion if necessary. Clinical trials are also an option for accessing state-of-the-art treatments and helping doctors improve treatment methods. Complementary and alternative treatments, such as vitamins, herbs, and acupuncture, may also be considered alongside or instead of standard medical treatments.

Innovative cancer treatment technologies

Erlanger Hospital provides care for a 50,000-square-mile region spanning four states. The hospital has a Center for Breast Health, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The centre offers digital mammography with 3D tomosynthesis, bone density testing, genetics counsellors, and a certified breast cancer navigator. Erlanger Hospital also offers High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), which allows urologists to target prostate cancer with precision while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.

Cell Therapy: CAR-T cell therapy involves taking immune T-cells from a patient and genetically engineering them to target specific cancer antigens. This approach has shown promising results, especially for patients who have relapsed and exhausted other treatment options. However, it has also been associated with severe side effects in some cases. Companies like Celyad are working on the next generation of CAR-T treatments, aiming to broaden its applicability to a wider range of cancers.

Personalized Vaccines: Researchers are developing personalized vaccines that prime the immune system to target cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. These vaccines are expected to produce fewer side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. Clinical trials are currently underway, with promising results anticipated by 2027.

AI-Based Tools: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being leveraged to develop tools like SCORPIO, which can more accurately predict the responsiveness of cancer patients' tumours to checkpoint inhibitors. AI is also useful in risk profiling for common cancers, leading to earlier diagnoses. Additionally, AI technology can analyse X-rays to identify cancers in areas where imaging experts may not be readily available.

Liquid Biopsies: Traditional biopsies, which involve surgically removing tissue samples, are being complemented by liquid biopsies. This innovative technique analyses blood samples for signs of cancer, providing a less invasive method for cancer detection. Synthetic biopsies are another emerging technique that can aid in the early detection of cancer by forcing cancer cells to reveal themselves.

Engineered Bacteria: Researchers have engineered bacteria, such as E. coli, to detect tumour DNA shed into the gut by colorectal tumours. This approach leverages the immune system to help attack tumours. Additionally, engineered fat cells that aggressively consume nutrients have shown potential in "starving" tumours and shrinking them.

Radiation oncology

Erlanger Hospital provides cancer services and treatments, including radiation oncology. Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a common cancer treatment that uses focused radiation to kill cancer cells. This technique has been used for over a century, but technological advancements in imaging, beam shaping, and robotics have improved the precision of treatment.

At Erlanger, radiation therapy is delivered by skilled radiation oncologists who can target tumors with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue. The hospital's radiation therapy services are part of its full continuum of cancer care, offering a comprehensive combination of resources to patients. This includes a multi-specialty team of radiation specialists and a multidisciplinary tumor board that reviews each case to determine the best path of treatment.

Radiation therapy may be the only treatment required, or it may be combined with other cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, or immunotherapy. The hospital's state-of-the-art Infusion Center allows oncology patients to receive chemotherapy in a comfortable and convenient outpatient setting.

Erlanger's Center for Breast Health is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and offers advanced technologies such as Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis and SmartCurve™ breast stabilization for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. Additionally, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), a technology unique to Tennessee at Erlanger, allows urologists to target prostate cancer accurately while preserving healthy tissue.

Genetic testing and predisposition

Erlanger Hospital provides care for a 50,000-square-mile region spanning four states. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of services for cancer patients, including the Center for Breast Health, which is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This centre provides advanced technologies such as Digital Mammography with 3D Tomosynthesis, Bone Density Testing, and SmartCurve™ breast stabilization. Additionally, the hospital has genetic counsellors who can provide guidance and support to individuals concerned about their genetic predisposition to cancer.

The process of genetic testing begins with a pre-test genetic counselling session. During this session, the counsellor will obtain the individual's medical history, construct a detailed family tree to identify patterns of cancer occurrence, and discuss the benefits, limitations, and potential outcomes of genetic testing. After the test, a post-test counselling session is conducted to interpret the results and provide personalised recommendations for cancer screening, risk reduction, and management strategies.

For individuals with a positive test result indicating a cancer predisposition, the genetic counsellor will tailor a surveillance plan to ensure early detection. This may include more frequent screenings, commencing screenings at an earlier age, or utilising specific screening modalities suited to the type of cancer risk identified. Additionally, risk-reducing strategies may be recommended, such as lifestyle modifications, preventative medications, or, in some cases, prophylactic surgery to lower the chances of cancer development.

It is important to recognise that genetic testing is not a definitive indicator of cancer development. A negative test result does not guarantee the absence of cancer, as other genetic and environmental factors also influence cancer risk. However, genetic testing can provide valuable information to help individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare. It empowers individuals to take proactive steps towards cancer prevention and enables healthcare providers to develop personalised treatment plans, considering an individual's unique genetic profile.

In conclusion, genetic testing and predisposition play a significant role in cancer care at Erlanger Hospital. The availability of genetic counsellors ensures that individuals can access comprehensive information about their cancer risk and make informed choices regarding their health. By utilising genetic testing, individuals can benefit from early detection, targeted screening, and personalised treatment options, ultimately improving cancer outcomes.

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