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Find an NCCN Member Institution
UNMC/Eppley Cancer Center Home Page Find a Clinical Trial |
For information on clinical trials at this NCCN Member Institution click here. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is an internationally recognized cancer research center dedicated to applying new knowledge about the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer to improve health and quality of life. This dedication to cancer research has led to the Cancer Center’s excellent reputation for treating hematological malignancies, particularly lymphomas and leukemia.
As part of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and The Nebraska Medical Center, the Cancer Center has access to 734 licensed beds and handles 22,000 inpatient admissions yearly. Approximately 3,600 new cancer patients are treated annually. Its 164 Cancer Center members, including 61 practicing physicians, are involved in basic, clinical, and population-based research and are awarded approximately $20 million in peer-reviewed research grants annually. UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The University of Nebraska Medical Center
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General Information |
Cancer Center HelpLine 800.999.5465 |
Referring Physician Line |
402.559.5600 |
Location |
Omaha, NE |
Facility |
The Peggy D. Cowdery Patient Care Center is an ambulatory outpatient hematology/oncology facility. It is located on the third floor of the Lied Transplant Center. It has 26 adult exam rooms, two treatment rooms with 26 chairs, one procedure room in the treatment area with a bed, six leukapheresis chairs, and two photopheresis chairs. The outpatient cancer center has opened a five room-one consult room clinic and a 11 chair infusion center at Clarkson West Medical Center to meet the needs of the growing population. These outpatient care facility are convenient for the patient and is a cost-saving alternative to inpatient care. Private ambulatory exam rooms are available for patients receiving radioimmunoconjugates with no restrictions on use. The Oncology/Hematology Special Care Unit (OHSCU) is a 35- bed inpatient transplant facility housed on the seventh floor of The Nebraska Medical Center. This area consists of 35 private hepafiltered rooms used for the inpatient care of transplant patients. Each room has intensive care capabilities for monitoring ventilator management, Swan-ganz capabilities and dialysis. All nurses working on this unit are specialty trained in Oncology, ICU nursing, and complications of bone marrow transplantation. There are 17 Cooperative Care Suites located on the fifth floor of the Lied Transplant Center for patients to utilize during their recovery once they are ambulatory. These rooms provide a home-like environment, featuring a private bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchenette for the patient and their care provider. A patient resource center is located on the second floor of the Lied Transplant center and provides traditional library offerings, current medical information available in the form of books, magazines and videos, computer terminals with Internet and e-mail access, fax machine, and copy machines. |
Travel Assistance |
The Nebraska Medical Center Guests and Volunteer Service department is available to assist in any way. Our volunteers can provide transportation to and from Eppley Airport, the Amtrack Train Station and the bus terminal between 6 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week. The volunteers also plan weekly shopping trips to a local grocery store and department store. |
Lodging |
Nebraska House, a dormitory style facility, is located adjacent to the Lied Transplant Center. Hospitality Services personnel and social workers assist families with lodging arrangements. |
Treatment
Multidisciplinary Clinics:
Disease Center |
Contact Number |
Lung |
Contact the CALGB Coordinator at 402.559.6745 |
Stem Cell Transplant Program:
The diseases most treated using stem cell transplantation are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, solid tumors (including breast cancer or testicular cancer). Various other hematological and non-hematological diseases are treated on a case by case basis. Autologous, related and unrelated myeloablative allogeneic, related and unrelated non-myeloablative, and cord blood transplants are provided.
Survivorship Clinic:
A cancer survivorship multidisciplinary clinic and general medical care for cancer survivors is provided by an integrated survivorship program. A survivorship care plan is outlined for each patient once their active cancer therapy is completed which can be followed by their own primary care physician or our survivorship clinic. This clinic will address the non-cancer issues for the survivors such as health care maintenance, immunizations, and the psychological aspects associated with being a cancer survivor.
Cancer Prevention and Screening
Adult Oncology has established a program aimed at a long-term, community-based approach towards education, screening and treatment of prostate cancer specifically, and cancer in general. The program intends to increase health awareness by providing health screening activities, materials, demonstrations and information. Mini-health fairs are being held approximately 10 times per month at locations throughout the community such as supermarkets, barber shops, and beauty salons, to name a few. The tests and screenings are free to the participants.
Support Services
Social workers, psychiatrists and clinical nurse specialists are available for consultation with all adult oncology patients to meet their needs. Nurse case managers and social workers are available to address employment issues, childcare issues and any other problems/questions.
Weekly and monthly support groups are available for bone marrow transplant patients and their families. The groups, facilitated by The Nebraska Medical Center social workers, are designed to provide support in coping with the stresses involved in the transplant process. Through the sharing of feelings and experiences, patients and families may gain the support and information they need during the transplant evaluation and hospitalization. Call 402.559.4420 for more information about the hospital support groups.
Supportive Care
Pain Management specialists staff a Pain Clinic on campus offering regular and spinal block clinics as well as acupuncture services. Outpatient Services offered include psychology – pain management, physical therapy – cranio-sacral therapy, visceral manipulation, myofascial release, massage, exercise therapy, TENS unit placement and education. The Pain Management Program 402.559.4364 offers a four-week outpatient behavioral program for patients with chronic, stable pain. Patients are referred from a Pain Clinic physician for evaluation for admittance.
The Pain Management Consultation Team is a resource for doctors, staff, patients and their family members regarding pain identification and appropriate interventions for chronic and acute pain patients. Team members include a medical director, pharmacist, RN, social worker, psychologist, and staff from the departments of anesthesia, neurology, neurosurgery, interventional radiology and surgery. Additional information can be obtained through the hospital operator at 402.559.4000.
Home Care/Hospice Service:
Home care services are provided for cancer patients by the Visiting Nurses Association. Nurse case managers and social workers are available to coordinate the home care services needed. Nurse case managers and social workers also coordinate necessary hospice services.
Nutrition Service:
Registered dietitians are available to consult with patients about special dietary needs.
Rehabilitation Service:
People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for. Various resources are available on campus to help with rehabilitation of cancer patients including psychologists/psychiatrists, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurse case managers and chaplains.
Special Expertise
Adult Oncology offers a new model of care delivery, Cooperative Care, which invites patients and their families to participate as partners in the patient’s care. It is a revolutionary approach that allows patients and their care partners to play an active role in the treatment and recovery process following transplantation, cancer care and treatment of other illnesses.
Care partners, usually a family member or friend, assist in all aspects of the recovery process including administering medications, monitoring health changes, attending informational classes and more. The Cooperative Care environment allows patients and care partners to learn the skills they will need when they return home.
Care partners and patients stay in a comfortable home-like setting that includes a private bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchenette and two TV/VCRs.
Cooperative Group Membership
Adult Oncology has been a main member of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Cooperative Group since 1996. CALGB is one of three multidisciplinary cooperative treatment groups funded by the National Cancer Institute. Each cooperative group focuses on particular areas of cancer research, often collaborating in large-scale clinical trials. Adult Oncology maintains a wide variety of open CALGB protocols addressing a variety of malignancies. In addition, we participate in the BMT/CTN network with several clinical trials open which address issues in transplantation such as the optimum therapy for acute leukemia, lymphoma, and graft-versus-host disease.
Clinical and Research Efforts
The adult oncologists are involved in many investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical research studies. By collaborating with researchers in the UNMC Eppley Cancer center, the adult oncology physicians can offer patients the latest treatment options and comprehensive care. Focused working groups consist of basic scientists and clinical investigators collaborating on specific cancers including breast cancer, lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Adult Oncology Program
No. of Inpatient Beds (Medical/Surgical) |
No. of Admissions |
Average Length of Stay (days) |
No. of New Outpatients |
Total Outpatient Visits |
No. of Bone Marrow Transplants |
No. of Oncologists (Medical and Surgical) |
36 |
955 |
12 |
3,500 |
52,848 |
139 |
13 |
UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The University of Nebraska Medical Center
Pediatric Oncology Services
Introduction
The University of Nebraska Medical Center Pediatric Oncology Program offers comprehensive services in the areas of childhood cancer treatment, patient care, and research. All of the pediatric oncologists are board-certified and well-published in the professional peer-review literature. Supplementary care to our patients is provided from several subspecialties, including infectious diseases, nephrology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, radiation oncology, surgery, psychiatry, and bone marrow transplantation. The program participates as full members in national cooperative treatment groups including the Children’s Oncology Group and Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplant Consortium.
The pediatric oncologists at UNMC Eppley and Children’s Hospital have expertise in the management of all childhood cancers and have special interest in the treatment of the following childhood malignancies and treatment strategies.
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General Information
Pediatric Hot Line |
402.559.7257 |
General Information |
800.999.5465 |
Referring Physician Hot Line |
402.559.5600 |
Fax |
402.559.6782 |
Location |
Omaha, Nebraska |
Outreach Clinic |
Lincoln, Nebraska (50 miles from Omaha)—meets once a week |
Physical Plant |
Pediatric Oncology services are provided at both the The Nebraska Medical Center and at the Children’s Hospital, about four miles away. The Pediatric BMT program is located at The Nebraska Medical Center. The Pediatric Oncology Program hospitalizes general pediatric oncology patients on the 20-bed pediatric ward and eight-bed pediatric intensive care unit. The Oncology/Hematology Special Care Unit (OHSCU) is a 25-bed inpatient oncology unit housed on the seventh floor of The Nebraska Medical Center University Tower. This area consists of 20 private, HEPA-filtered rooms used for the inpatient care of both pediatric and adult transplant patients and complex oncology patients. Each room has intensive care capabilities for monitoring ventilator management, Swan-Ganz capabilities, and dialysis. All nurses working on this unit are specially trained in oncology, ICU nursing, and complications of bone marrow transplantation. There are 22 Cooperative Care Suites located on each of the fourth through seventh floors of the Lied Transplant Center for patients to utilize during their recovery once they are ambulatory. These suites provide a home-like environment, featuring a private bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchenette for the patient and their care provider. A patient resource center is located on the second floor of the Lied Transplant center and provides traditional library offerings; current medical information available in the form of books, magazines, and videos; computer terminals with Internet and e-mail access; fax machine; and copy machines. |
Travel Assistance |
Volunteer services and social services can be arranged to pick up family at the airport and assist with housing reservations. |
Lodging |
A Ronald McDonald House is located adjacent to the UNMC campus. Potter’s House, a restored mansion, is available and both are served by shuttle service to the hospital. Restrictions apply. Nebraska House, a dormitory-style facility, is located on campus. Social workers assist families with lodging arrangements. At Children’s Hospital, The Carolyn Scott Rainbow House offers lodging to patients and families receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital and associated clinics. |
Social Support |
Social workers are available for consultation for all pediatric oncology patients to meet their needs. Child Life and Educational Support Services are also available. Patients are invited to participate in summer camps. Camp CoHoLo and Camp Quality are operated for children with cancer with staff supplemented by volunteer physicians and nurses. |
Home Health Care |
UNMC uses home health care services with trained and experienced pediatric oncology nurses to provide medical services at home. Children’s Hospital also uses home health care services with specially trained pediatric nurses. |
Ages Treated |
Children of all ages are treated. |
Clinical and Research Information
Pediatric Oncology Directors |
Peter F. Coccia, MD, UNMC Eppley Minnie Abromowitch, MD, Children’s Hospital |
Operate Multidisciplinary Teams |
Each patient is assigned a primary pediatric oncologist, nurse, and social worker who will work with the family from diagnosis through long-term follow-up. |
Cooperative Group Membership |
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Activities in Cooperative Group |
Oncologists are Principal Investigators on numerous studies. |
Average Number of PediatricClinical Trials |
44 |
Pediatric Clinical Trial Coordinator |
Sheree Gilmore 402-559-6255 |
Research Efforts
Multiple collaborative projects with cancer researchers, physicians, and scientists of the Eppley Cancer Institute include research in areas of hematopoiesis (blood cell formation), tumor cell detection, and positive cell selection.
Special Expertise
Acute Leukemias
UNMC actively participates in Children’s Oncology Group protocols for newly diagnosed patients and offers local rescue hematopoietic stem cell transplant and other rescue protocols.
Bone Marrow Transplantation
The Pediatric Oncology Program offers a full range of transplant services including autologous, related and unrelated allogeneic, peripheral blood stem cell, and cord blood stem cell transplantation. UNMC is a National Marrow Donor Program designated search and marrow-harvesting center. Our transplant physicians have special expertise in transplant strategies for treatment of acute leukemias, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, Wilms’ tumor, aplastic anemia, and a variety of inherited disorders.
Bone Tumors (osteogenic sarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma)
UNMC’s program consists of a multidisciplinary approach, and includes leading physicians in orthopedic surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, prosthetics, and pathology of bone sarcomas. The program specializes in limb-sparing surgical approaches.
Brain Tumors
At Children’s Hospital, a multidisciplinary brain tumor program is in operation.
Lymphomas—Pediatric
By utilizing innovative local and national cooperative group treatment protocols, UNMC has demonstrated excellent results in cases of disease refractory to conventional chemotherapy.
Neuroblastoma
UNMC participates in Children’s Oncology Group protocols for newly diagnosed patients. The program offers peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with local and national cooperative group protocols, including purging of hematopoietic stem cell products.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Some of the leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood sarcomas are at UNMC.
Wilms’ Tumor
UNMC participates in the Children’s Oncology Group and National Wilms’ Tumor Study Group protocols for newly diagnosed patients and offers peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with local protocols.
Statistics
Percent of children treated in each age range at UNMC
Age Range |
0-1 |
2-5 |
6-12 |
13+ |
Percent Treated |
2% |
24% |
38% |
16% |
Percent of children treated in each age range at Children’s Hospital
Age Range |
0-1 |
2-5 |
6-12 |
13+ |
Percent Treated |
5% |
35% |
25% |
36% |
Pediatric Oncology Program: 2002: UNMC
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 |
20 |
211 |
6.9 |
122 |
1,304 |
14 |
6* |
Pediatric Oncology Program: 2002: Children’s Hospital
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 |
100 |
369 |
4.1 |
294 |
3,615 |
0 |
5 |
*3 faculty members cover both facilities.
UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The University of Nebraska Medical Center
Genetic Counseling and Testing Service
The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) operates a Hereditary Cancer Clinic that offers comprehensive cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, pedigree analysis, and molecular testing for breast, ovarian, and colon cancer, as well as less common hereditary cancer syndromes. The clinic is staffed by a board-certified clinical geneticist and a genetic counselor with referral to additional clinical specialties including oncology, gynecology, surgery, gastrointestinal, psychology, molecular biology, and nursing. The focus of the clinic is risk assessment, patient education, coordination in research protocols, and genetic testing when appropriate.
Location |
Omaha, Nebraska |
Chief, Hereditary Cancer Clinic |
G. Bradley Schaefer, MD |
Genetic Counselor, Hereditary Cancer Clinic |
Gwen Reiser, MS, CGC |
UNMC offers cancer genetic counseling three days a week on-site and two days a week at a satellite clinic held at the Methodist Cancer Clinic in Omaha. Cancer genetic counseling services are also offered at three outreach clinics throughout the state four times a year: Scottsbluff, North Platte, Kearney.
UNMC provides a full range of genetic counseling, testing, screening, and research. The following tables set out the components of the comprehensive genetic testing program.
Intake Process
Community and Physician Awareness |
UNMC’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic provides education and resources for healthcare professionals and families. Education is offered through grand rounds, statewide conferences, and journal articles on the topic of cancer genetics for health professionals. |
Patient Education |
Patient education is available via direct clinical appointments as well as numerous cancer prevention programs offered to the public. A cancer hotline and family history Web site is also available to address questions regarding cancer genetics and counseling. |
Identify Eligible Subjects/Referrals |
Genetic counselors work to identify families at increased risk for cancer through the collection and interpretation of family histories. Cancer patients and their families are referred by physician or self-referred. |
Risk Assessment and Pre-test counseling |
Genetic counseling is provided by a board-certified genetic counselor and medical geneticist. Both individuals have regional and national experience in the field of cancer genetics. Prior to the clinic appointment, patients are mailed a personal and family history form to complete and mail back. At the time of the clinic visit, the pedigree is reviewed and interpreted and a personalized risk assessment is provided. If a hereditary cancer syndrome is identified and gene testing is available, a pre-test counseling session occurs. At this time, patients are counseled about cancer genes and their role in the development of cancer, implications for family members, as well as limitations, risks, and benefits of DNA testing. |
Informed consent procedures |
All molecular testing for cancer genetics requires the patient sign a standard informed consent form approved by the Institutional Review Board. Items covered include an explanation of the procedure and the potential risks and benefits of genetic testing. Genetic counseling is required prior to signing this document. |
Testing
Confidentiality Standards |
Documentation of the clinic appointment is filed in a hospital chart. The family pedigree and genetic test results are stored in a separate genetics file. All test results done in a research setting are stored in research files and are not part of the general medical record. Access to all genetic records is available only by written consent from the patient. |
Testing |
Genetic testing is coordinated through a number of laboratories that insure that families receive the best analysis currently available. Samples may be sent to outside laboratories such as Mayo Laboratories, Myriad Genetics Laboratories, or another university genetic testing laboratory. |
Laboratory Quality Assurance |
All results obtained from a research laboratory are confirmed by a CLIA certified laboratory when available. CAP/CLIA accreditation is current at all UNMC testing laboratories. |
Available Testing at or through UNMC |
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Test Result Interpretation |
All test results are reviewed and interpreted by the medical geneticist and genetic counselor using resources such as laboratory's experience, published literature, and Internet mutation databases, when available. |
Post-Test Counseling and Follow-Up
Post-Test Counseling |
UNMC cancer genetic counseling and testing protocols reflect National Society of Genetic Counselors Practice Guidelines in cancer genetics. Interpretation and communication of results are provided in-person at a post-test genetic counseling session. Counselors provide emotional support and resources for families with hereditary cancer. |
Risk Management and Cancer Screening |
If hereditary factors are identified or gene testing reveals an increased susceptibility to cancer, family members can then plan a personalized cancer prevention and screening program with their physician to diagnose cancer early and improve cancer management. |
Medical and Surgical Management |
Follow-up recommendations for screening and surveillance are provided to the patient in writing and to the referring physician if consent is provided. UNMC provides comprehensive services for cancer screening, including surgery, mammography, ultrasound, colonoscopy, etc. |
Psychological and Supportive Services |
Psychological counseling, support groups, and individual family contacts are offered to patients and families at UNMC. Referrals and contacts are made available at the initial clinic consultation. |
Research
UNMC is involved in genetic research focusing on:
Improving counseling methods |
Research studies are offered to families undergoing cancer gene testing to evaluate patients’ experiences in the testing process. Patients are asked to complete a confidential questionnaire asking about perceived risk, mood, depression, and patient satisfaction. |
Familial Registries |
UNMC has a long history of coordination of the National Lymphoma Registry. Locally, UNMC is involved in a tumor registry. |
Last updated: 2/20/2008
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NCCN 1st Annual Forum: Innovative Diagnostics & Therapeutics in Cancer Care™ |
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