Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System
Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System
Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System
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14<str<strong>on</strong>g>Focused</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> specialized caretreatment of malignant melanoma and for <strong>patient</strong>s with HIV infecti<strong>on</strong>s. The unit is involvedin studies exploring novel uses of adult stem cells for tissue repair. Patients undergoing openheart surgery for ischemic heart disease may participate in a study injecting <strong>the</strong>ir own stemcells into <strong>the</strong> heart, anticipating that cardiac muscle will be regenerated. The unit is utilizingmesenchymal stem cells processed at <strong>the</strong> marrow processing laboratory with <strong>the</strong> goal ofimproving <strong>the</strong> outcome of <strong>patient</strong>s suffering from severe GVHD, inflammatory bowel disease,and degenerative retinal c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s.Breast Cancerby John E. Pippen, Jr., MD, FACPDr. John Pippen, Jr.In <strong>the</strong> United States in 2007, <strong>the</strong> American Cancer Society estimated that more than 180,000new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed. Fortunately, most cases are diagnosed atan early stage, and cure is possible. The number of cases has been dropping for <strong>the</strong> last fewyears. Still, it was estimated that more than 40,000 women would lose <strong>the</strong>ir lives to this diseasein 2007. Opportunities for improvement are still evident. Not every<strong>on</strong>e gets a screeningmammogram.Most cases of breast cancer are infiltrating ductal cancer. At least five different subtypes ofbreast cancer can be identified using special techniques. This informati<strong>on</strong> becomes morepractical as new treatments become available. Patients are taking advantage of advancesin surgical techniques, such as breast-c<strong>on</strong>serving surgery and sentinel node biopsy. As aresult, <strong>the</strong> same number of <strong>patient</strong>s are cured, but with fewer problems with lymphedema.Chemo<strong>the</strong>rapy has also evolved over <strong>the</strong> years to fur<strong>the</strong>r stack <strong>the</strong> odds in favor of cure.Many advances <strong>on</strong> this fr<strong>on</strong>t have taken place since <strong>the</strong> 1980s, when CMF (cyclophosphamide,methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil) was <strong>the</strong> typical chemo<strong>the</strong>rapy used. In 2007,chemo<strong>the</strong>rapy regimens are easier for <strong>patient</strong>s to finish because of advances in supportingmedicines. These medicines prevent problems such as nausea and anemia, resultingin fewer lost days from work. Modern radiati<strong>on</strong> techniques make it possible for <strong>patient</strong>s tofinish <strong>the</strong>ir treatments with a very low likelihood of complicati<strong>on</strong>s.<strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s Cancer Center c<strong>on</strong>tinues to strive for <strong>the</strong> highest level of breast cancercare and provide leadership in <strong>the</strong> field of breast cancer. More cancers are detected early,more treatments are successful, more innovati<strong>on</strong>s are introduced, and more <strong>patient</strong>s arecured. Whe<strong>the</strong>r women need advice <strong>on</strong> preventi<strong>on</strong>, diagnosis, or treatment, <strong>the</strong>y can turnto <strong>Baylor</strong> Samm<strong>on</strong>s Cancer Center.New Women’s Imaging CenterThe fall of 2007 marked <strong>the</strong> opening of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baylor</strong> University Medical Center at Dallas DarleneG. Cass Women’s Imaging Center, located in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baylor</strong> Medical Pavili<strong>on</strong>, a new officebuilding <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> corner of Washingt<strong>on</strong> Avenue and Junius Street. This spacious, advanced,and spa-like facility houses advanced technologies.