National Comprehensive Cancer Network

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UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
San Francisco, California
800.888.8664
cancer.ucsf.edu

Adult Oncology Services

The University of California, San Francisco is an international leader in cancer research and patient care. The mission of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center's clinical program is to provide comprehensive care through multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated services, to advance cancer therapies through clinical research, and to train future leaders in the treatment of patients with cancer. The collaborative approach to research and treatment is a hallmark of this program, enlisting the participation of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pediatric oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. Together with renowned UCSF investigators in fields ranging from molecular biology and biochemistry to epidemiology, biostatistics, and public policy analysis, UCSF clinical specialists are committed to translating scientific insights into lifesaving realities for cancer patients everywhere.

Highlights of the Center's comprehensive clinical program include:

· Translational research and innovative combined-modality trials for management of cancers of the prostate, breast, head and neck, colon, liver, lung, melanoma, and other solid tumors.

· Premier bone marrow transplantation and care for hematologic malignancies.

· Highly advanced radiation therapy techniques including conformal radiotherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, high-dose brachytherapy, intravascular brachytherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and radio-immunotherapy.

· World-renowned neuro-oncology program providing innovative therapy for brain and spinal cord cancers.

· Cancer prevention/genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes.

· Specialized therapy for AIDS-related malignancies.

· Leaders in the treatment of pediatric malignancies.

· Active symptom management team including psychosocial services, medicine, chaplaincy, nursing, pharmacy, and integrative medicine services.

· Referral services and support programs including a Cancer Resource Center, Art for Recovery, and smoking cessation programs.

General Information

Treatment

Multidisciplinary Clinics

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program

UCSF provides Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Services for adult and pediatric patients. Our programs perform autologous, related and unrelated allogeneic, and cord blood transplants to patients with a wide range of malignant and non-malignant disorders of the bone marrow and immune system. Diseases managed include leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplasia, bone marrow failure states such as aplastic anemia, and selected solid tumors such as testicular cancer. In addition, the pediatric program treats patients with inherited disorders of the bone marrow or immune system, such as Fanconi's Anemia and Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome (SCIDS) The UCSF Adult and Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant programs are accredited by the Foundation of the Accreditation of Cellular Therapies (FACT).

Integrative Oncology

Complementary and alternative medical services for individuals with cancer are a collaborative effort between the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCSF's Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Integrative oncology refers to the combination of evidence-based complementary therapies into the conventional cancer treatment regimen or survivorship plan. Two board-certified UCSF oncologists provide integrative oncology consultation to patients living with and beyond cancer at the Osher Center and refer them to the Osher practitioners, who offer integrative psychiatry, psychotherapy, guided imagery, biofeedback, physical therapy, physical fitness, massage, yoga, Tai Chi, mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Clinical trials, undertaken both within the Cancer Center and the Osher Center, currently include studies of acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, botanicals, yoga, and other interventions. Appointments for consultations at the Osher Center can be arranged by phone or e-mail: 415.353.7720, integrate@ocim.ucsf.edu.

Late Effects Clinic

Currently, UCSF follows survivors of childhood cancer who have been treated at UCSF until age 21-30 for second malignancies and other side effects of cancer therapy. We have a Childhood Cancer Survivor Clinic, a formal Late Effects Clinic, which operates under the leadership of Robert Goldsby, MD.

Cancer Prevention and Screening

Cancer prevention topics figure prominently among lunchtime lectures that are presented regularly at two campus locations and geared to members of the lay community. Additional education events, often produced in coalition with community partners, include an annual day-long women's health forum on breast and gynecologic cancers, an annual symposium on fighting cancer in the African-American community (including free screening for PSA levels), and drop-in skin cancer screening in observance of Melanoma Awareness Month. Ongoing smoking-cessation programs are offered through the UCSF Cancer Resource Center (415.885.3693, crc@ucsfmedctr.org). The Cancer Resource Center also has a dedicated dietitian who provides individual nutrition counseling and conducts a variety of public education events on cancer and nutrition. Additionally, patients at high risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome are referred to the Breast Cancer Prevention Program, the Ovarian Cancer Screening Clinic, and the Familial Melanoma Clinic, when appropriate.

The UCSF Cancer Risk Program offers free monthly cancer risk education sessions for families with high rates of breast and ovarian cancer who are interested in counseling for genetic risk.

Support Services

UCSF's Cancer Resource Center (415.885.3693) sponsors more than two dozen patient support groups and weekly classes. Support groups are targeted to patients on the basis of cancer diagnosis; age-specificity; and cultural groups. In addition, the Cancer Resource Center offers a Peer Support Program, Benefits and Health Insurance Counseling and Information services, and community education programs.

A full-time nutritionist, who is available to provide individual dietary counseling to cancer outpatients, also offers monthly seminars on nutrition and cancer-related topics that are open to the public. Nutritionists on staff with the UCSF Medical Center are available to inpatients with special needs.

The Center's Symptom Management and Psycho-Oncology Services brings together a team of professionals including psychologists, social workers, palliative care specialists, nurses, pharmacists, chaplaincy, nutritionists and a psychiatrist available for outpatient consultation Other support services include: Art for Recovery (415.885.7221), an expressive arts program offered to anyone dealing with cancer, which offers workshops, community projects, and a music series, and a Spiritual Care Program (415.885.7785), in which counseling and guidance assists patients and their families with questions about life and death.

Supportive Care

Pain Service

Pain services are provided through the UCSF Medical Center Pain Management Program, available at 415.885.7246. The program employs physicians and therapists with specialties in anesthesiology, neurology, psychiatry, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, internal medicine, and physical therapy.

Palliative/Supportive Service, Home Care/Hospice Service, and Rehabilitation Service

Available through the UCSF Medical Center

Cooperative Group Membership

Adult Oncology Program*

*Estimates are for UCSF/Parnassus and UCSF/Mount Zion Medical Centers. UCSF also provides house staff and oncology services at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, for which numbers are not included here.

**Medical oncology only; does not include surgery.

***Includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. NOT full-time equivalents.

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