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OCHSNER CANCER INSTITUTE
Multidisciplinary cancer care is an integral part of the Ochsner Cancer Institute. A dedicated oncology nurse navigator works with patients and referring providers
to facilitate scheduling appointments and obtaining necessary clearances and records. Additionally, when
a cancer patient is seen for the first time at Ochsner,
and every time thereafter, a dedicated team provides
all aspects of the patient’s care – whether the patient
is undergoing an operation to remove a tumor,
receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or making
the adjustment to life as a cancer survivor. An important part of this approach is what we call “the meeting of
the minds” – a regularly scheduled conference during which the multidisciplinary team meets to discuss the optimal treatment strategy for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Typically at these conferences, one of the cancer physicians presents the history leading up to the cancer diagnosis. The team reviews the patient’s radiologic studies and the pathology from the biopsies and then discusses optimal treatment options, based on current National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment guidelines and the best evidence-based medicine.
In 2012, the Ochsner Cancer Institute launched the Cancer Survivorship Clinic with the goal of evaluating all patients who have received treatment with curative intent.
In addition to welcoming patients who are currently
being treated at Ochsner, the Cancer Survivorship
Clinic staff also welcomes patients who have completed treatment and those whose cancer was treated outside the Ochsner system.
The Clinic is dedicated to establishing a continuum of care beyond the patient’s initial diagnosis and treatment that focuses on assessing each patient’s long-term medical risks. The patient’s comprehensive initial visit involves the preparation of a treatment summary plan that includes guidelines for future health management with the goal of improving quality of life. In addition, patients are offered counseling on psychological, social and financial issues related to their diagnosis. Subsequent visits are scheduled on an annual and as-needed basis.
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute works to provide information on cancer statistics in an effort to reduce the burden of cancer among the U.S. population. SEER currently collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries covering approximately 28 percent of the U.S. population. On the following pages you will find Ochsner survival rates as they compare to the SEER registry.
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OCHSNEROUTCOMES