Cancer Care

Whether you need one treatment or a combination of therapies, Ochsner has what you need. Available cancer treatments include:

• Bone marrow transplant/stem cell transplant: This type of treatment for leukemia, multiple myeloma and other cancers replaces your damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. The transplanted bone marrow may come from your own cells or donor cells.

• CAR T-cell therapy: With this targeted therapy, our physicians modify immune cells (T-cells) from your body to attach to a specific cancer cell. Once reintroduced to your body, the T-cells attach to and destroy cancerous cells.

• Chemotherapy: Special medication, delivered through an IV, pill or other form, kills cancerous cells. Depending on your cancer, you receive one or more chemotherapy medications. Treatment sessions may take place over the course of a few months.

• Radiation therapy: High-dose radiation is targeted to destroy cancer cells. Today’s radiation therapy technology provides a more precise delivery of the radiation, leading to better results and fewer side effects.

• Surgery: Removing the diseased area is often part of cancer care. Sometimes, surgery is the only intervention you need. Ochsner’s surgical oncologists specialize in minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery. Our team of experts perform complex procedures, and we are recognized nationally for our results and innovations.

• Targeted therapy and immunotherapy: Targeted therapy can attack specific signals on cancer cells, such as hormone production or blood flow, to stop cancer growth. Immunotherapy uses your immune system to find and destroy cancerous cells.

The options to treat cancer are continually evolving, leading to improved cancer survival rates across the country. Clinical trials are an essential component of contemporary cancer care.

With our dedication to innovation and aiming for more good days, a range of clinical trials are available at Ochsner to provide new hope to people with cancer searching for effective treatment. These trials open the door to potential cures and shape the future of medicine.

Ochsner is a leading participant in the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program. The program connects Ochsner patients across Louisiana to promising, established clinical trials that focus on both treatment and supportive interventions.

These late phase trials constitute the final stages of approval for new drugs or interventions. Because we are dedicated to improving the lives of all patients in our region, these trials are available to all patients. Ochsner is a national leader in clinical trial participation by historically underrepresented populations.

What sets Ochsner apart is our Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies program, a phase 1 clinical trials program that makes Ochsner the only center between Houston, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, with this capability.

Phase 1 trials study the most leading-edge therapy applications and determine the safety, dosage, timing and side effects for new treatments. Phase 1 trials also test whether older medications can serve new purposes. Before you enroll in phase 1 trials, your care team studies the genetic profile of your cancer. This helps them know whether you’re likely to benefit from the study.

Additionally, Ochsner participates in large clinical trials of new therapies in the final stages of approval. To help as many people as possible, we make these trials available to all.
 

We believe the best cancer care requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach. Your care team at Ochsner will include physicians, nurses, and other skilled providers and support staff. Members of your team may include:

• Acupuncturists to ease cancer- and treatment-related symptoms by using tiny needles to stimulate pressure points across the body

• Advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistant) to support you and your team

• Cancer rehabilitation physical therapists to increase your physical strength during treatment

• Financial coordinators to help you understand insurance coverage and access financial help

• Medical oncologists to oversee chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and coordinate your cancer care

• Oncology nurse navigators to guide you through your healthcare journey, answering questions along the way

• Oncology social workers to provide financial and emotional support and connect you to needed resources

• Palliative care providers to help you deal with stress, medication and other quality-of-life issues

• Pharmacists to manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects

• Radiation oncologists to plan radiation therapy

• Registered dietitians to ensure you maintain good nutrition throughout treatment

• Research coordinators to oversee your progress if you’re participating in a clinical trial

• Surgical oncologists to remove cancerous tumors and address side effects of treatment

Every cancer journey is unique. To serve our patients’ individual needs, Ochsner offers a wide range of support services, including:

• Chemotherapy Care Companion: This smartphone app monitors your health when undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy. At home or on the go, you enter your blood pressure, weight and temperature on a regular basis. If one of your numbers goes outside of the expected range, your care team takes action.

• Education classes: A range of classes help you understand your journey better. Learn about healthy living during and after cancer treatment, what to expect from various treatment options and more.

• Integrative oncology: A specialty of integrative medicine that includes services like nurse navigation, acupuncture, therapeutic yoga, integrative nutrition and rehabilitative wellness services.

• Smoking cessation services: In partnership with the Smoking Cessation Trust, we provide free counseling to help you quit smoking for good.

• Support groups: Each session begins with a guest speaker who covers relevant topics, followed by a group discussion.

U.S. News & World Report rates Ochsner Health as "High Performing" in:

• Colon cancer surgery
• Gynecological cancer
• Lung cancer surgery
• Prostate cancer surgery
• Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma

“I’m so grateful for each member of the care team that played a role in my recovery at Ochsner. I’m blessed to be a part of such a wonderful team, and I thank everyone who helped me on my journey.” -- Cherie D., colon cancer patient

"I remain grateful for the team at Ochsner that has helped make this process much easier to manage when it seemed like everything else was falling apart once you receive that initial diagnosis." -- Karl F., colorectal cancer patient

“The news was overwhelming. But with a great team of doctors and nurses, they walked me through what my treatment journey would look like.” -- An’gele G., breast cancer patient

Every cancer journey is unique. To serve our patients’ individual needs, Ochsner offers a wide range of support services.

The best cancer care requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach. That’s exactly what we offer at Ochsner. Here, your care team consists of physicians, nurses, and other skilled providers and support staff.

Clinical trials are an essential component of contemporary cancer care.

With our dedication to innovation and aiming for more good days, a range of clinical trials are available at Ochsner to provide new hope to people with cancer searching for effective treatment. These trials open the door to potential cures and shape the future of medicine.

Ochsner offers support groups for cancer patients and their families in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Covington, Louisiana. Check out our calendar for information about our support groups and other programs available to cancer patients and their families.