Jacksonville, Fla. – Shands Jacksonville, in affiliation with the University of Florida, recently initiated Jacksonville’s first multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program to provide a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung cancer and other abnormal thoracic growths. Patients with esophageal (esophagus) cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) and metastatic tumors of the chest (a cancer that has spread to the chest from another site) can also receive treatment through this new program.
The area’s only Thoracic Oncology Program consists of University of Florida physician specialists and healthcare professionals working together to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment. Patients receive coordinated, compassionate and quality cancer care from specialists in thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pulmonology, pathology and radiology. Support is also provided to patients by a group of skilled pharmacists, nurses, social workers and nutritionists.
This team approach to diagnosing and treating thoracic cancer has important benefits for patients. “Everything is in one place,” says Peter Seirafi, M.D., a UF assistant professor of surgery and directory of the Thoracic Oncology Program. “Because this program allows each patient immediate access to a group of specialists, individuals can get a diagnosis quickly and establish a plan of rapid, highly-individualized care with the latest treatment options.”
Thoracic team members meet weekly to evaluate patient profiles and to thoroughly discuss appropriate treatment plans so each patient will receive the best possible care. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery for diagnosis and treatment is also offered to patients, who have access to new cancer treatments and research through the program’s extensive affiliation with national and local clinical trials.
These lung cancer specialists meet every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Ambulatory Care Center at Shands Jacksonville. If you feel you would benefit from the expertise and treatment offered through the Thoracic Oncology Program, call Elaine Geoghagan, program coordinator, at (904) 244-4417 to schedule an appointment.