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Find an NCCN Member Institution
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
Home Page Find a Clinical Trial |
For information on clinical trials at this NCCN Member Institution click here.
From bench to bedside, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is at the forefront of improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and researchers here have pioneered advances in chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and nutrition.
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a full array of treatment options from interdisciplinary clinics to the latest techniques in bone marrow transplantation. It has an outstanding faculty of 300 physicians and researchers, many of whom are internationally and nationally recognized for their expertise in oncology. The UAB program in Supportive and Palliative Medicine is among the foremost in the nation. The Center treats an estimated 4,000 new patients each year. University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
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One of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center located in a six-state area that includes Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Georgia. The UAB University Hospital was recently named as one of the top three teaching hospitals in the United States and the Cancer Center effort was part of that recognition.Special Expertise |
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General Information
General Information |
800.UAB.MIST |
Referring Physician Line |
800.UAB.MIST |
Location |
1802 6th Ave. South |
Facility |
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Travel Assistance |
Cab service is available for patients with no means of transportation, as well as bus fares. Transportation is coordinated by social workers. |
Lodging |
Low/no cost housing can be arranged for patients in need. Housing is arranged through a physician/social worker. |
Treatment
Multidisciplinary Clinics
All Disease Centers listed below can be contacted by calling 800.UAB.MIST (800.822.6478).
- UAB Prostate Center
- UAB Breast Health Center
- Lynne Cohen Clinic for Women’s Cancers at UAB
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
- Gynecologic Cancer Clinic
- Head and Neck Cancer Clinic
- Hematology/Oncology Clinic
- Supportive Care Clinic
Cancer Prevention and Screening
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center has extensive prevention programs, including the NCI-supported Deep South Network for Cancer Control, which focuses on improving awareness of cancer prevention and treatment in underserved communities. Many other projects focused on eliminating health-care disparities are sponsored by the Cancer Center.
Support Services
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center offers support groups and individualized counseling. Social workers also assist.
Supportive Care
Pain Service
Patients are referred to UAB’s multidisciplinary outpatient pain clinic, which can be reached by calling 800.UAB.MIST.
Palliative Supportive Service
Supportive Care Clinic and UAB Center for Palliative Care can be reached at 205.975.8197.
Home Care/Hospice Service
Community hospice services are coordinated through the Center for Palliative Care.
Nutrition Service
Registered dieticians are available for inpatients and outpatients with special dietary needs.
Rehabilitation Service
UAB offers rehabilitation services.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
Pediatric Oncology Services
Introduction
Pediatric oncology services are provided at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Children’s Hospital of Alabama. The Children’s Hospital specialty center for the treatment of cancer is known throughout the United States as a center of excellence, and the comprehensive services provided cannot be found at any other facility in Alabama. UAB pediatric faculty are active members of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. The pediatric oncologists have expertise in the management of all childhood cancers and are world-renowned experts in the areas listed below.
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Awards |
The Society for Pediatric Research gave the Young Investigator Award to Raymond G. Watts, MD, for his work on the neutrophil cytoskeleton. |
General Information
General Information |
800.822.0933 (800.UAB.0933) |
Referring Physician Line |
800.822.6478 (800.UAB.MIST) |
Location |
Birmingham, Alabama |
Outreach Clinic |
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Physical Plant |
The Pediatric Oncology Program is part of UAB’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and is physically located at the nearby Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Both inpatient and outpatient care are provided at the Children’s Hospital, with the exception of patients requiring radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, which are provided at the Cancer Center. |
Travel Assistance |
Social workers assist in travel arrangements and coordinate transportation. |
Lodging |
Social workers assist in lodging arrangements for families. A Ronald McDonald House and the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge are nearby. |
Social Support |
Social workers organize support groups, offer counseling and psychosocial support, and tutoring. |
Home Health Care |
Home health care is arranged. |
Ages Treated |
Children up to the age of 21 are accepted. |
Clinical and Research Information
Professor and Director, Chief of Hematology/Oncology Section, Pediatrics |
Thomas H. Howard, MD |
Cooperative Group Membership |
Children’s Oncology Group (COG) |
Activities in Cooperative Group |
Participation in COG committees includes:
Oncologists are Principal Investigators on several studies. |
Average Number of Pediatric Clinical Trials |
110 |
Pediatric Clinical Trial Coordinators |
Vicky Adamson, Ruth "Taffi" Bailey, and Sheree McLean |
Special Expertise
Germ Cell Disease
Investigators at UAB are active in national and international study development related to pediatric germ cell tumors.
Long-Term Survivors
About 70 percent of all children with childhood cancers will be cured of their disease and considered long-term survivors. This is defined as a patient who has survived five years since the initial diagnosis. Estimates using this figure show that by the year 2000, about one out of every 900 persons between the ages of 16 and 44 will be a survivor of childhood cancers. Children’s Hospital is investigating the major problems these children may have in the future such as the incidence of secondary cancer. Information on the quality of life, treatments, and cure rates of childhood cancer patients can be used to redesign protocols and treatments to avoid unfavorable long-term effects.
Myeloid Disease
Researchers in UAB’s pediatric oncology program participated in a study of a new chemotherapy agent that induced durable clinical and laboratory responses in patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Now, the Division is the directing center for the North American JMML Project that is conducting the only JMML trial in the continent. This disease presently has no effective therapy other than allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, where the bone marrow is collected from living related or unrelated donors.
Neuroblastic Tumors
UAB researchers have led the former Pediatric Oncology Group, the current Children’s Oncology Group, and the International Neuroblastoma Risk Groups working committee in developing risk groupings used to determine the management of patients with these tumors. Further, UAB participation in the investigation of a unique antibody therapy, chimeric anti-GD2, for high-risk tumors, and the leadership by UAB investigators, has resulted in a new study that will be activated in the next year to randomly test this new therapy following bone marrow transplantation.
Neuro-Oncology
There is a recently developed program at UAB in pediatric brain tumors. A new research study has opened to study gene therapy for high-risk pediatric tumors. Stemming from this effort, this program will be applying for support as one of the eight NCI-sponsored pediatric brain tumor programs for the development of innovative and unique phase I and II therapies.
Statistics
Percent of children treated in each age range
Age Range |
0–1 |
2–5 |
6–12 |
13+ |
Percent Treated |
21% |
25% |
30% |
23% |
Pediatric Oncology Program, 2001
No. of Inpatient Beds |
No. of Admissions |
Average Length of Stay(days) |
No. of New Outpatients |
Total Outpatient Visits |
No. of Bone Marrow Transplants |
No. of Oncologists |
24 |
1,104 |
5.4 |
110 |
9,680 |
28 |
8 |
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
Genetic Counseling and Testing Service
The University of Alabama at Birmingham provides access to clinical cancer genetics through a breast cancer risk assessment clinic and the UAB Familial Cancer Clinic for patients who may be at high risk for inherited cancer syndromes. The clinics provide a formal risk assessment program, education in cancer genetics, predisposition testing, and management strategies. The nurse who oversees the Interdisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic also runs the breast assessment clinic. A psychologist, board-certified oncologist, and ABMLI- and AABB-certified geneticist staff the Familial Cancer Clinic.
Location |
Birmingham, Alabama |
Genetic Clinic |
Nathaniel Robin, MD |
Schedule Appointments |
205.934.9528 |
University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center provides a full range of genetic counseling, testing, screening, and research. The following sets out the components of the comprehensive genetic testing program.
Intake Process
Community and Physician Awareness |
UAB directs an NIH-funded outreach program that is designed to assess the knowledge of rural primary care physicians in regards to clinical cancer genetics. Participating physicians undergo a pretest followed by teaching from a formal curriculum with CME credit. Physicians then receive a follow-up assessment. In addition, UAB hosts a yearly oncology course with updates on cancer genetics. |
Patient Education |
Interested candidates are mailed a UAB brochure that gives a basic overview of fundamental concepts of genetics and a brief description of the services offered at UAB. Once the initial counseling process has occurred, the candidates may be given more specific material, such as information pertinent to individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish extraction. |
Identify Eligible Subjects/Referral |
Individuals who are interested in refining their risk of an inherited cancer syndrome are seen by self-referral or referral from physicians. Prior to being seen, a comprehensive family assessment packet is mailed and an appointment in the clinic is made once the packet has been received. At the initial appointment, the candidate is given a copy of the constructed pedigree and the family history is reviewed in detail. |
Pre-Test Counseling |
At the initial appointment, the risk for a specific inherited syndrome is discussed and the individual is given a letter detailing his/her risk. Candidates who meet defined criteria for testing and who are interested in genetic testing then discuss with the geneticist and oncologist the procedure of genetic testing, its limitations, possible psychological impact, and risk for potential employer/insurance discrimination. Potential strategies for follow-up surveillance are discussed, as well as possible chemoprevention trials. Candidates who wish to proceed return for testing at a second appointment, at which time informed consent is obtained. |
Informed Consent Procedures |
At the time of genetic testing, all candidates sign an approved consent form that details the process of genetic testing and discusses the potential risks and benefits. |
Testing
Confidentiality Standards |
Documentation of the visit to the Familial Cancer Clinic is kept separate from the standard clinic chart. Information regarding pedigree and refined risk for cancer are forwarded to the referring physician only at the request of the patient. Results from genetic testing are kept in the Familial Cancer Clinic chart and are not entered into the computerized laboratory retrieval system. These results also are not forwarded to the referring physician unless the patient requests this; UAB has not required written permission to forward test results if the patient requests this at the counseling appointment. |
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Testing |
Currently, the majority of tests for the recognized hereditary cancer syndromes are referred out to licensed commercial laboratories. Genotyping for hemochromatosis and chromosome analysis for leukemia are offered by UAB. |
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Available Testing at or through UAB |
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Laboratory Quality Assurance |
All laboratories offering testing are CLIA approved. |
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Test Result Interpretation |
The medical geneticist interprets all test results. The risk of cancer conferred by a single mutation is estimated based on available information about the penetrance of specific mutations. |
Post-Test Counseling and Follow-Up
Post-Test Counseling |
Individuals who have undergone testing are contacted to return for a follow-up appointment once their test results are received. Test results are disclosed with the medical oncologist and geneticist present and the family history is again reviewed. Appropriate follow-up recommendations are made to the individual based on their family and personal history. |
Risk Assessment |
For individuals interested in assessing their risk for an inherited cancer syndrome, a family assessment packet is mailed and a detailed family pedigree is constructed from information provided by the individual. Risk information for a specific syndrome is written in a detailed letter and discussed with the patient. Women seen in the breast cancer assessment clinic fill out a detailed questionnaire and, if they have a significant family history for breast cancer, are referred to the Familial Cancer Clinic. For those women without a family history of breast/ovarian cancer, specific lifestyle recommendations are made with regard to diet, exercise, hormone replacement therapy, etc. |
Cancer Screening |
Appropriate screening procedures for specific cancers are discussed with the individual based on the family and personal history. |
Medical and Surgical Management |
Specific recommendations and referrals are made for follow-up care based on the risk assessment profile. Patients receive a spreadsheet detailing their pedigree and a written summary of their family history. This summary also describes their risk of developing a specific cancer and the risk of being a carrier of one of the clinically recognized genes associated with cancer syndromes. A copy of the letter is sent to the referring physician and any other physician at the request of the patient. |
Psychological and Supportive Services |
Appropriate referrals for emotional or psychiatric support are made based on a case-by-case basis. There are also support groups, medical social workers, and counselors available for support if needed. |
Research
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is involved in genetic research focusing on:
Identifying New Genes |
There are several basic research laboratories investigating the genetic causes of cancer at the University of Alabama. |
Improving Counseling Methods |
Several ongoing research projects investigate how well information about genetic testing is conveyed to patients. Two projects are also offering on-line counseling to ascertain whether this is a feasible method of assessing risk for cancer. As a follow-up companion study, information about how changing risk information affects intent to engage in recommended preventive screening is being assessed. UAB has a project exploring computer interactive support groups and one assessing retention of medical information as it pertains to genetic counseling. |
Implementing Chemoprevention Trials |
Several chemoprevention trials are underway at UAB including the breast cancer-specific intergroup STAR trial. |
Discovering Clinical Treatments for Genetic Disorders |
There are several gene therapy programs present at UAB that include a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program, and gene therapy programs directed at breast, melanoma, lymphoma, and CNS tumors. UAB has a long-standing interest and expertise in monoclonal and vaccine therapies that are applied to a variety of tumors. |
Tracking Long-Term Results of Prophylactic Surgeries, Medical Surveillance Choices, and Preventative Interventions |
The tumor registry tracks follow-up and recurrences on a yearly basis. |
Participation in Familial Registries or National Registries |
The Familial Cancer Clinic keeps a database tracking genetic test information without specific patient identification. This information is also forwarded to a national registry database. |
Studying Impact of Receiving Genetic Information on Health-Related Outcomes |
Studies as to how patients process genetic information are ongoing and have been published in peer-reviewed journals. |
Other Components of Genetic Services
Quality Assurance |
Studies are underway to determine how well information was retained from the initial counseling session and how it impacted health behaviors. |
Training |
The UAB Familial Cancer Clinic melds clinical oncology, risk assessment, and genetic testing and has been operational for one year. The Immunogenetics Clinic has existed for 20 years. Training programs are available at UAB in the fields of immunogenetics, clinical genetics, and molecular genetics. |
Last updated: 2/20/2008
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NCCN 1st Annual Forum: Innovative Diagnostics & Therapeutics in Cancer Care™ |
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