Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System

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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.
<strong>Focused</strong> on specialized care 15Procedures are reviewed and interpreted by boardcertifiedradiologists on the medical staff at Baylor Dallaswho specialize in breast imaging. Services include digitalmammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy,ultrasound-guided biopsy, lesion localization procedures,ductograms, cyst aspirations, and magnetic resonanceimaging with biopsy capability. The center offers privateconsultation rooms for patient meetings with physicians, aswell as a resource center on breast health with educationalmaterials and Internet access and a prayer/meditation roomfor quiet reflection.Innovations and ResearchThe physicians in the surgical oncology department continue to provide innovations andexpertise in breast surgery. The medical oncology physicians provide leadership in thefight against breast cancer, as evidenced by the many active research protocols. A currentresearch trial for early stage breast cancer is attracting the attention of breast cancerresearch groups around the country. This trial is investigating whether or not the oldercancer drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is still a necessary part of chemotherapy.The main lobby of the DarleneG. Cass Women’s ImagingCenter welcomes womeninto a soothing, elegantenvironment.Past prevention studies have also made a difference in breast cancer care. The STAR clinicaltrial (Study of Tamoxifen And Raloxifene) was instrumental in the 2007 Food and DrugAdministration approval of raloxifene as a risk reduction drug for breast cancer. Baylorranked seventh in accrual among participating institutions in the United States and Canada.In 2007, physicians affiliated with Baylor Sammons Cancer Center co-authored multiplepublications in major peer-reviewed journals. One such publication was the TEAM trial,which investigated the aromatase inhibitor, exemestane, compared with the long-time goldstandard hormonal treatment for breast cancer, tamoxifen.* Another publication in the prestigiousmedical journal Lancet reported results of a research trial on gene expression analysismethods to determine estrogen receptor and HER/2 status.** Other research trials conductedat the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center continue to enroll patients. Each day, the oncologyteam strives for the best combinations of chemotherapy, supportive care, and cancerfightingdrugs.Education and TeamworkMedical oncologists at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center serve as teachers in the medicaloncology fellowship program. The integrated efforts of the pathology, surgery, medicaloncology, and radiation oncology departments are on display not only in the lively site tumorcase discussions but also in daily rounds, where a spirit of camaraderie is evident. With thisspirit, research, and teamwork, Baylor Sammons Cancer Center is poised to take advantageof opportunities in the fight against breast cancer.* Coombes RC et al. Lancet 2007; 369:559. ** Gong Y et al. Lancet Oncol 2007 ; 8 :203.
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Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System

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