Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System

14<strong>Focused</strong> on specialized caretreatment of malignant melanoma and for patients with HIV infections. 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 their own stemcells into the heart, anticipating that cardiac muscle will be regenerated. The unit is utilizingmesenchymal stem cells processed at the marrow processing laboratory with the goal ofimproving the outcome of patients suffering from severe GVHD, inflammatory bowel disease,and degenerative retinal conditions.Breast Cancerby John E. Pippen, Jr., MD, FACPDr. John Pippen, Jr.In the United States in 2007, the 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 the last fewyears. Still, it was estimated that more than 40,000 women would lose their lives to this diseasein 2007. Opportunities for improvement are still evident. Not everyone 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 information becomes morepractical as new treatments become available. Patients are taking advantage of advancesin surgical techniques, such as breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy. As aresult, the same number of patients are cured, but with fewer problems with lymphedema.Chemotherapy has also evolved over the years to further stack the odds in favor of cure.Many advances on this front have taken place since the 1980s, when CMF (cyclophosphamide,methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil) was the typical chemotherapy used. In 2007,chemotherapy regimens are easier for patients to finish because of advances in supportingmedicines. These medicines prevent problems such as nausea and anemia, resultingin fewer lost days from work. Modern radiation techniques make it possible for patients tofinish their treatments with a very low likelihood of complications.Baylor Sammons Cancer Center continues to strive for the highest level of breast cancercare and provide leadership in the field of breast cancer. More cancers are detected early,more treatments are successful, more innovations are introduced, and more patients arecured. Whether women need advice on prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, they can turnto Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.New Women’s Imaging CenterThe fall of 2007 marked the opening of the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas DarleneG. Cass Women’s Imaging Center, located in the Baylor Medical Pavilion, a new officebuilding on the corner of Washington Avenue and Junius Street. This spacious, advanced,and spa-like facility houses advanced technologies.