Patient-centered Cancer Care Sorts Out Treatment Options

Surprise or shock may be a patient’s initial response to a cancer diagnosis. What follows is often a search for information, according to Dr. Stephen Petersdorf, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology and the first holder of the Endowed Chair in Cancer Care.

“Our patients are usually quite information savvy, but there’s a lot out there these days,” said Petersdorf. “We work in partnership with patients to help them sort out what is appropriate information in order to work out a treatment plan.”

Depending on the diagnosis, this may mean giving a patient the best chance for a cure, minimizing side effects, or maximizing quality of life. For instance, at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients meet with a surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist all in the same day and often at the same time. In addition to the Breast Cancer Clinic, similar multidisciplinary clinics are held for patients with melanoma or sarcoma.

“We focus on the patient, make it as easy as possible for the patient and have everyone caring for the patient on the same page,” said Petersdorf. “The physicians, nurses and other professionals involved in the patient’s treatment review the patient’s record, then talk with the patient about options. Every patient is unique.”

Outpatient cancer procedures, with the exception of some forms of radiation oncology, are performed at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance outpatient facility near the south end of Seattle’s Lake Union. The Alliance also has launched a detailed Web site, edited by physicians, to help patients understand different types of cancer and treatment procedures.

The URL for the cancer patient information Web site is http://www.seattlecca.org.

“Patients have come to the UW and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance not fully understanding their diagnoses,” said Petersdorf. “We try to spend the time with patients.”

Petersdorf became the first holder of the Endowed Chair in Cancer Care in July of 2001. The chair, funded by private donors, supports an outstanding physician and teacher whose primary interest is treating cancer patients. Petersdorf’s clinical expertise includes the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and lung cancer. He sees outpatients at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance clinic and hospitalized patients at UW Medical Center.