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A multidisciplinary approach to treat lung cancer

Rachel E. Sanborn, M.D.
Co-medical director, Providence Thoracic Oncology Program
Medical oncologist, Providence Lung Cancer Clinic
Providence Oncology and Hematology Care Clinic-Eastside

Published April 2011

Providence Cancer Center's multidisciplinary lung cancer clinic is designed for patients with newly diagnosed or highly suspected lung cancer, and offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation in the setting of a single clinic visit.

Patients also have access to social and support services a well as disease-specific educational material at the time of the clinic visit.
 
Patient records, images and available pathology are reviewed in a tumor board conference on the day of the visit. The goal is to develop comprehensive recommendations for a treatment plan by the end of the patient’s visit.

Detailed evaluations and a summary of recommendations are sent back to the referring physician. The goals of this clinic are to improve outcomes by:

  • Shortening time between identification of a lung cancer and development of a treatment plan
  • Decreasing the waiting time between different subspecialist appointments
  • Speeding the time from diagnosis to the initiation of therapy

Providence Lung Cancer Clinic offers access to further diagnostic studies, traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures, evidence-based chemotherapy and radiation, and innovative clinical trials.

The clinic is happy to help coordinate referrals. Our clinic coordinator can be reached at 503-215-3595. Patients are generally seen within one week of the initial referral.

Clinical articles by Rachel E. Sanborn, M.D.