National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Special Expertise

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance physicians and specialists are among the best in the nation and come from many disciplines-medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and more. Many of the physicians are involved in research to better understand how disease occurs and translate this information into better and more effective therapies. Below are excerpts of some of the Alliance cancer-care services.

Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers

The mission of the neuro-oncology team is to provide the best possible patient-focused care and state-of-the-art treatment. They have an active research team that works toward developing and identifying clinical research studies, including nation-wide industry-sponsored studies and those from the National Cancer Institute. Each week, a unique group of physicians from UW Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center meet to discuss neuro-oncology cases and determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Treatment is available for every type of tumor, state-of-the-art rehabilitation services are also available. The Neuro-Oncology Team uses the latest technology to diagnose and treat brain and spinal cord tumors, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), MRI Spectroscopy, MRI Perfusion Scans, Functional MRI, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Intra-operative Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning, Leskell Gamma Knife, LINAC (Linear Accelerator) Radiosurgery, and Clinical Research Studies.

Gastrointestinal cancer

At SCCA, treatment is available for gastrointestinal cancer, including cancer of the stomach, esophagus, intestine, colon, rectum, or anus as well as the liver, bile duct, gall bladder, and ampulla. Doctors at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance are working to develop new and improved treatments for gastrointestinal cancer. The treatment choices offered at SCCA include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Many colorectal cancer patients come to SCCA to gain access to leading-edge treatments, including those available in clinical trials. Also available is the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program, a personalized approach to cancer risk assessment, screening, and prevention for people who have a high risk of developing most types of gastrointestinal cancer (colon, small intestine, stomach, pancreas, and esophagus).

Leukemia

Our leukemia patients can choose from standard therapy options as well as leading-edge therapies designed from the latest research findings. Many of these therapies involve marrow and stem cell transplantation and adoptive immunotherapy techniques. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Bone Marrow Transplant Program is the core of the Alliance's transplant services. Working with its SCCA partners, Hutchinson Center researchers have focused on the development of more targeted and lower toxicity therapies to treat leukemia, such as techniques using monoclonal antibodies to target high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy to sites of malignant disease and mini-transplantation.

Lung Cancer

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) offers leading-edge treatments and innovative therapies for primary and metastatic lung cancer. Our expert team of physicians works with the latest equipment and technologies to provide the highest quality of care available today, from accurately staging disease to having the ability to operate on locally advanced tumors that may be considered "unresectable." Our thoracic surgeons are board-certified with special training in thoracic oncology, including VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery) for more minimally-invasive lung surgery.

Lymphoma

Patients with lymphoma have access to a wide array of treatment options, ranging from standard treatment plans to clinical trials, including marrow and stem cell transplantation and more targeted therapies using monoclonal antibodies, immunotoxins, and radioimmunoconjugates. Another treatment approach is a tandem transplant where a patient first is treated with an autologous stem cell transplant followed by lower-dose chemotherapy and an allogeneic transplant.

Multiple Myeloma

Patients gain entry into some of the most sophisticated therapies available for multiple myeloma, including new drug therapies, chemotherapy, radiation therapies, marrow and stem cell transplantation, or more targeted therapies using radioactive isotopes. Patients also have access to a weekly clinic for special consultation and treatment with the team of physicians specializing in treating myeloma.

Myelodysplastic Disorder (MDS)

Patients are seen by a team of physicians who are working to identify the best approaches to treating patients with myelodysplastic disorders. Patients have access to a weekly clinic staffed by the team. Hemopiotic cell transplantation is still the most effective treatment available for many patients with MDS, but other treatment options exist. Our physicians aim to progressively identify more narrowly defined subgroups of patients with a substantially higher chance of responding to a particular therapy.

Sarcoma

Patients are treated by physicians who are part of one of the largest and most active sarcoma programs in the United States. These sarcoma services are a major treatment program offered through University of Washington Medical Center at SCCA. It is composed of two multidisciplinary clinics, for adults and pediatric patients. The clinics see nearly 600 new patients each year. At the clinic, patients have access to leading-edge therapies and treatments for the disease, including bone transplants. In addition to standard treatment options, current efforts are focusing on new drug strategies to treat these very difficult cancers.

Thyroid Cancer and other Endocrine Tumors

The Endocrine Neoplasia Clinic focuses on diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, adrenal tumors, paraganlionomas, parathyroid tumors, and endocrine-secreting pancreatic tumors. The Endocrine Neoplasia Clinic has advanced nuclear medicine techniques and participates in investigational clinical chemotherapy trials for those with advanced or poorly responsive disease. Clinic appointments for consultations and long-term follow-up are available at both facilities. Thyroid scans are available at both facilities. Nuclear medicine consultation is provided at SCCA. Surgeries are performed at UWMC. Radioiodine therapy is performed at UWMC.

Gynecologic Cancer

Women with a gynecological cancer are seen at the SCCA Women's Center, located at the SCCA clinic. SCCA has a comprehensive range of gynecologic oncology services for patients diagnosed with cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and other gynecological cancers. The SCCA sees about 450 new patients each year. A team of physicians, nurses, radiation oncologists, and pathologists who are experts in gynecologic cancers cares for all patients. The physicians are board certified in obstetrics and gynecological oncology, and ­not only do surgery but also administer chemotherapy and work very closely with the radiation oncologists in planning radiation treatment.

Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer are also seen at the Women's Center at SCCA . Physicians at SCCA are well-known for their multidisciplinary approach to evaluating and treating breast cancer and for collaborating with each other and the patient to develop the best possible treatment plan. Services are individualized for each patient, combining treatment with quality of life, comfort, and resource issues for breast cancer patients. Physicians in the breast cancer group are taking a lead in the development of new therapies for treating breast cancer, including studying new drugs that may benefit patients who are on standard treatment and whose cancer recurs, as well as evaluating high-dose consolidation programs. Others are working on immunotherapy and genetic susceptibility to cancer and other common diseases.

Melanoma

At SCCA, patients have access to the latest therapies and treatments available for melanoma. As with other disease services at SCCA, there is a specialized melanoma clinic open for patients to receive focused care. Nurses and doctors who specialize in melanoma staff the clinic. This team meets regularly to discuss each patient case and treatment options. The team includes two of the Northwest's leading melanoma surgeons, both known for their innovative approach to treating melanoma. Also on the team is a nationally recognized expert in the field of dermatopathology, with particular expertise in the pathological diagnosis of melanoma and in the evaluation and treatment of patients with unusual or atypical moles, as well as oncologists who provide expert care in the administration of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for melanoma. Another physician specializes in the study and treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer.

Cancer Prevention and Screening Programs

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program (BOCPP)

Women determined to be at high risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancers are referred to the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program (BOCPP) at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). This multi-disciplinary program works with high-risk women to individually design a management program for prevention and early detection of cancer. The team of providers includes a genetic counselor, medical oncologist, nutritionist, psychologist, oncology nurse practitioner, and gynecologic oncologist. Patients interested in genetic counseling and testing for cancer predisposition genes are first seen in the Cancer Genetics Clinic in the Division of Medical Genetics at University of Washington Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, patients can call 206.288.6990.

Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program (GICPP)

Individuals at high risk to develop gastrointestinal cancers are referred to the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program (GICPP) at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). This multi-disciplinary program works with high risk patients to individually design a cancer screening and prevention plan. The team of providers includes gastroenterologists, each specializing in different hereditary GI cancers, a gynecological oncologist, a genetic counselor, and a nutritionist. Patients interested in genetic counseling and testing for the cancer predisposition genes that have not already gotten testing may be seen first in the Cancer Genetics Clinic in the Division of Medical Genetics of University of Washington Medical Center. Call 206.288.7222 to schedule an appointment.

Cancer Prevention Clinic

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) have established a Cancer Prevention Clinic (CPC) to help meet these organizations' goals to reduce suffering and death due to cancer. The CPC complements the comprehensive cancer center's treatment and research missions by advancing the field of early detection and prevention for all malignancies. The Cancer Prevention Clinic offers the latest medical and scientific knowledge available in combination with the most advanced surveillance and diagnostic methods. The clinic is available to anyone concerned about his or her risk of cancer.

Each clinic patient receives a comprehensive evaluation from our team of physicians trained and certified in cancer prevention and other prevention specialists, including dietitians and physical therapists. Our team works together to develop a personalized cancer risk assessment and reduction program for each client. For additional information call 206.288.7222 or go to www.seattlecca.org/patientsandfamilies/CPC.

Survivorship Program

Patients who have survived cancer and are not in active cancer treatment are referred to the Survivorship Program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). As part of the Survivorship Program, patients are given a thorough screening and health evaluation by our medical staff, professionals who have dedicated themselves to learning about and dealing with survivorship issues. Cancer survivors leave with a Survivorship Care Plan that lists all of their therapy and medical information that is pertinent to their diagnosis and any possible late effects. This Survivorship Care Plan has recommendations for the patient and their healthcare provider to keep them as healthy and as informed as possible in the future. Cancer survivors may receive information on nutrition, exercise, or counseling to help optimize their health in the years following their cancer treatment.

The Survivorship Care Plan includes a detailed summary of all diagnostic testing and treatments, as well as available evidence-based standards of care. Copies are provided to the cancer survivor's medical oncologist and primary care physician. For additional information, call 866.543.4272 or 206.667.2814, or email the staff at survivor@fhcrc.org. www.seattlecca.org/patientsandfamilies/Survivorship/.

Statistics - Adult

Percent of adults treated in calendar year 2006