Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer
with Gary Cohen, MD
What medical specialists are members of the GBMC multidisciplinary team?
The treatment of cancer is quite complex, often requiring several different interventions, simultaneously or in succession, to achieve proper control of tumor growth. According to Gary Cohen, MD, Medical Director of the Cancer Center at GBMC, treatment may require surgery, radiation techniques, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunologic and blood product support, in addition to care by a knowledgeable medical team. This interdisciplinary approach is the gold standard for cancer patients at GBMC.
“Cancer is a systemic disease meaning it often involves the entire body,” says Dr. Cohen. “For example, breast cancer may not involve only the breast, even though radiographic studies may suggest that it is contained to one area. When we treat cancer we need to be cognizant of its pattern of spread. We need to treat the area where it starts and we might also need additional treatments to increase the chance of cure following initial surgery or radiation.”
The multidisciplinary team includes physicians such as surgeons and surgical specialists, radiation and medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists. In addition, our “team” of specialists reviewing patient care is unique because of the inclusion of other support services. “This includes psychologists to help patients get through an illness that may desperately affect their lives, geneticists who may be key in helping us establish any familial tendencies of the malignancies, and clinical researchers,” says Dr. Cohen.
A major focus at GBMC is clinical trials. GBMC is currently participating in nearly 60 clinical trials, mostly using studies approved by the National Cancer Institute. Clinical trials are a component of multidisciplinary care and offer patients cutting edge treatments that are not readily available to the general public. “Clinical trials represent the forefront of oncology practice and often offer new interventions, which may become the standard of care five years from now,” says Dr. Cohen. “We are able to offer those benefits to our patients today and that ultimately has a huge advantage.”
Patients benefit from the quality of care and team approach offered at GBMC. “The training of our physicians and their knowledge is unparalleled,” says Dr. Cohen. “We offer the most advanced technologies available to treat patients in the best possible way and we apply that high standard to achieve quality of care for our cancer patients from start to finish.”
