Precision imaging techniques at the Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health not only have made getting screened quicker and more convenient for patients — they are helping to improve outcomes and save lives.
Dr. Steven Brower, the medical director of the center, said he and his team of oncology experts offer comprehensive cancer care, from advanced screening to survivorship programs. The impact on patients is easy to see, he said.
“Our radiologists utilize the latest imaging technology to screen patients, resulting in expedited diagnoses and treatment, a decrease in follow-up testing and more precise diagnosis and visualization of cancer,” he said.
Brower recently discussed numerous aspects of cancer care at the Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health. Here’s a look at the conversation.
Question: Talk about areas where advances in imaging technology is making a big impact.
Answer: One area where advancements in screening techniques have saved lives is lung cancer. Ten to 15 years ago — even five years ago — saying the words “lung cancer” and “cure” in the same sentence was rare.
For decades, screening for lung cancer had a big challenge — detecting very small tumors as early as possible.
At Englewood Health, we offer patients a low-dose CT screening for lung cancer, an imaging procedure that has revolutionized the treatment of lung cancer by providing more detailed images than conventional X-rays. This technology has been proven to detect cancer earlier, when it’s not just manageable, it’s curable.
Q: What about advances in cancer treatment?
A: Image-guided surgery has provided a more precise way to localize tumors and spare healthy tissue, using fluorescence. Fluorescence is a lifesaving imaging tool that lights up tumors and cancer cells, as well as nerves and other anatomical features, for easy identification.
The use of robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques has also greatly impacted cancer treatment, resulting in shorter hospital stays, quicker recoveries and better outcomes.
Q: What would you say is the most prominent ‘trend’ in cancer care?
A: Precision medicine is an approach to disease prevention and treatment that considers a patient’s genes, environment and lifestyle, and customizes decisions based on that information.
The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center has applied precision medicine to the treatment of cancer and seen great progress.
Precision medicine that uses targeted therapies and immunotherapy has been successful in treating the most complex cancers, such as lung cancer, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Q: What other precision medicine initiatives has Englewood Health implemented?
A: We launched a tumor board that focuses on examining the unique genetic pathways of individual tumors. This has greatly improved our ability to tailor treatments for patients.
Our weekly roundtable includes medical professionals who gather to discuss new patients. At the table sits experts in medical, surgical and radiation oncology, as well as experts in genetics, survivorship and pain management. Specialists in all types of cancer are present to discuss thoroughly the best and most precise options for patients.
Personalized care plans are developed for cancer treatment and recovery that improve individuals’ quality of life and reduce the risk of secondary cancers.
For more information about the Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health, go to englewoodhealth.org/service/cancer or call 201-894-3000.
