|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CentraState's multidisciplinary, compassionate approach to cancer treatment ensures that our patients receive continuous, integrated care and support— medical, educational, emotional and spiritual.
Radiation oncology, surgery and chemotherapy are the leading treatments for cancer. Our cancer program offers state-of-the-art techniques and technology in all three areas, delivered by specially trained and experienced professionals, as well as a full range of support and specialty services.
For more information on our cancer treatment services, read the sections below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Pharmacy Department uses state-of-the-art equipment and technology when preparing chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic agents are prepared in a biological safety cabinet using strict aseptic techniques to ensure sterility. Specially trained, registered pharmacists check for IV compatibility, stability and potential drug interactions. They collaborate on a daily basis with the treating physicians and nursing staff credentialed in chemotherapy to ensure the best possible patient care. Additionally, the Pharmacy maintains a profile on each patient detailing each medication, dosage and the time the patient is scheduled to receive it. The computer system used at CentraState prints out easy-to-understand medication information for patients and their families.
To expedite medication delivery to inpatients, the department has a satellite pharmacy adjacent to the medical oncology unit, so chemotherapy infusions can be delivered right on the Inpatient Oncology unit. Outpatients receive chemotherapy infusions through our Outpatient Infusion area.
|
|
|
|
|
Complementary Therapies
|
|
Complementary therapies are non-traditional interventions used for health promotion and therapeutic treatment for chronic and acute illnesses, pain management, and palliative care.
Humor Therapy
Volunteers conduct weekly humor rounds on the Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit. These memorable visits encourage patients to laugh and smile, which helps reduce stress and boost the immune system. This group of caring, committed people has proved that humor has a place in the traditional healthcare system and has been recognized by the Volunteer Center of Monmouth County.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is provided to patients on the Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit for relaxation and as an adjunct to pain management. Our music therapist is trained in the use of music for the healthcare setting. She plays music at the bedside for patients and families. These tranquil tunes have been shown to produce a positive, calming effect on mind and the body. Music can lower blood pressure, relax muscles, promote sleep and relaxation, and increase endorphin levels — which are the body’s natural painkillers.
Reiki Therapy
Certified Reiki practitioners use gentle hands-on, non-invasive healing to promote relaxation, relieve pain and bring the mind, body and spirit into harmony and balance. Physicians can order Reiki therapy for medical oncology inpatients. Reiki therapy is also available to outpatients through our Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center. |
|
|
|
Inpatient Medical Oncology Services
|
|
Our 16-bed inpatient Medical Oncology Unit provides patients and families with comfort, education and the highest quality of cancer care throughout the spectrum of the cancer diagnosis. This high-quality care and support is provided by a dedicated, knowledgeable, compassionate staff. The staff includes registered nurses who are credentialed in chemotherapy and nationally certified in oncology nursing and in hospice palliative care. An oncology clinical nurse specialist is also available.
The unit offers private and semi-private rooms, liberal visiting hours, and other accommodations for family members. An entertainment cart with a video library and various craft activities is available. In addition, we provide complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, guided imagery, music therapy and Reiki for patients and their families.
A multidisciplinary team makes daily rounds on the unit to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s care are addressed. The team includes physicians, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, a pastoral care representative, social workers, a case manager, dieticians, home care resources and hospice agencies.
The unit also serves as an extension to outpatients receiving treatment on weekends and holidays.
|
|
|
|
LungCare Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
|
The LungCare Comprehensive Cancer Center uses the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technology available, including state-of-the-art, image-guided radiation therapy, chemotherapy and advanced surgical procedures. CentraState is one of the few area hospitals to perform video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Through the hospital’s affiliation with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the LungCare Center has access to the latest research and clinical advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
For more information about the LungCare Comprehensive Cancer Center please click here.
|
|
|
|
Outpatient Infusion Services
|
|
CentraState's Outpatient Infusion area, located on the first floor of CentraState Medical Center, provides a full range of ambulatory cancer services including:
chemotherapy infusions
- injections
- blood transfusions
- physician visits
- other cancer-related therapies
- lab work
- bone marrow biopsies
- insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheter lines
- flushing of in-dwelling catheters
|
|
|
|
Pain Management
|
|
A multidisciplinary team of appropriately trained and credentialed specialists provides pain management for cancer patients. Pain management interventions for cancer include drug and non-drug therapies. The Pain Management Task Force serves as a resource for cancer pain-related issues. Care is guided by policies and procedures that are based on established guidelines.
|
|
|
|
Palliative Care
|
|
Palliative Care is a team approach to medicine focused on preventing or relieving pain and other physical, emotional and/or spiritual distress that can accompany cancer. It can be provided at any stage, but accessing it as early as possible proves most helpful. Palliative Care services include: pain and symptom management, therapy, emotional and physical support groups, education, guidance on insurance issues, transitioning to hospice, and assistance with end-of-life planning.
For more information about Centrstate's Palliatvive Care Services please click here.
|
|
|
|
Radiation Oncology
|
|
Our radiation therapy equipment is effective for all cancer types — including prostate, breast, lung, colorectal and pancreatic, and tumors of the brain and spinal cord — as well as for benign, or non-cancerous, lesions (for example, meningiomas, certain pituitary growths, keloids and heterotopic bone growths). Radiation therapy is also used to relieve symptoms from diseases that have spread to the bones, brain and other organs.
For more information please click here to read about Radiation Oncology in the Health Care Services section.
|
|
|
|
Surgical Services
|
|
CentraState's surgical oncology services include general, gastrointestinal, thoracic and urologic surgeries for the diagnosis and treatment of breast, bladder, colon and lung cancers.
The surgery suite at CentraState Medical Center consists of six operating rooms and one cystoscopy suite. Cystoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows physicians to clearly view the interior linings of the bladder and the urethra and remove tissue samples for biopsy, among other diagnostic and therapeutic uses.
Same-Day Surgery
Advanced technology and a growing number of minimally invasive surgical techniques are allowing more complex procedures to be performed in an outpatient setting. Most outpatient surgeries at CentraState are performed in the hospital's contemporary Ambulatory Surgery Center, located on the second floor of the Donna O'Donnell RN Medical Arts Building. The building is connected to the hospital to provide convenient access to higher levels of care, if need.
Same-day surgery services for cancer patients include breast biopsies, pain management procedures and reconstructive plastic surgery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Comprehensive Cancer Program at CentraState Medical Center offers eligible patients opportunities to participate in promising new developments in cancer treatment and prevention.
We are approved as a clinical trial site by the Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) — only the third site in New Jersey and one of only 60 sites nationally to achieve this status. CTSU provides access to approximately 50 clinical trials. In addition, through an agreement with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey's Oncology Group (CINJOG), our physicians have access to many other clinical trials that are otherwise unavailable locally.
Clinical trials are studies designed to test new drugs or medical devices in humans after they have been fully tested in the laboratory and in animals. There are four phases of clinical trials. In the case of cancer drugs, the phases are defined as follows:
- Phase I trials evaluate the highest dose that can be tolerated in humans without toxic effects;
- Phase II trials test how effective a drug is on specific tumor types;
- Phase III trials apply the new treatment and the standard treatment to compare the length of the effective response, survival time, whether the tumor recurs and quality of life;
- Phase IV trials are tests of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for use other than the approved use(s) of the drug.
CentraState Medical Center's clinical research nurse can explain the phases in more detail as well as other facts about clinical trials, such as how patients are recruited to participate, how eligibility is determined, how a clinical trial is run, and how patients enrolled in clinical trials are followed. She can also inform you about specific clinical trials available at CentraState Medical Center.
To contact our clinical nurse researcher, call (732) 294-5874. To see a list of current cancer clinical trials at CentraState, click here. Our clinical trials also are listed on the New Jersey Cancer Trial Connect Web site.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more information about CentraState's Treatment Services, call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
