| Cancer Center
University of
Colorado Cancer Center's web page: www.uccc.info.
The University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center is the only National
Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in
the Rocky Mountain Region. Established at the University of Colorado
Health Sciences Center in 1987, the primary activities of the Cancer
Center are basic and clinical research, patient care, education,
prevention and early detection. We have a team of nationally recognized
scientists probing the secrets of cancer.
At the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center,
we make both traditional and new treatments available to our patients.
Since many of the latest techniques and treatments are released
for use in NCI designated cancer centers years before they become
available in other medical centers, cancer patients in the Rocky
Mountain Region can receive new therapeutic agents and innovative
treatments without having to travel great distances.
Research and referral areas within the Cancer Center include:
 Multidisciplinary
Second Opinion Service
Bone Marrow Transplantation
All types of transplants, including autologous and allogeneic transplants
for lymphomas, leukemias, multiple myeloma, germ cell tumors and
bone marrow failure disorders and auto-immune diseases. In addition,
phase I experimental therapies in conjunction with blood and marrow
transplants are offered.
Breast Clinic
Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and benign
breast disorders. Women with hereditary breast disease are evaluated
and treated in a multidisciplinary setting that includes surgery,
imaging (mammography, digital mammography, ultrasound, MRI and stereotactic
biopsy) and pathologic evaluation. Women with cancer are offered
personal care and treatment in all stages of disease. As appropriate,
patients are offered treatment on clinical studies offered by physicians
at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center,
the Southwest Oncology Group, National Surgical Adjuvant Board and
Breast Project and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group.
New patients are reviewed weekly at a conference attended by medical
oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation
oncologists, radiologists and pathologists.
Cutaneous Lymphomas
Research protocols for treatment in concert with the Dermatology
Department.
Gastrointestinal
Tumor Multispecialty Program
Consultative and continuing clinical evaluation and treatment including
colon, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, rectum and small intestinal
tumors. A variety of clinical studies are available
for consideration.
Gynecologic Oncology
This practice is dedicated to the treatment of women known to have,
or suspected of having, a gynecologic malignancy and includes cancers
of the cervix, endometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, vagina,
and vulva as well as gestational trophoblastic tumors. Multidisciplinary
consultative services with radiation oncology, medical oncology,
and pathology are provided. Surgical and chemotherapy treatment,
if indicated, are provided by the gynecologic oncology division.
Other services, such as radiation therapy or bone marrow transplant,
are coordinated with the appropriate physicians. The gynecologic
oncology division is a member of and actively supports enrollment
in clinical trials sponsored by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)
and the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) as well as supporting inhouse
protocols of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer
Center (UCCC).
AIDS Malignancies
Subspecialist care for HIV-infected patients with AIDS-defining
and other cancers and/or hematologic problems is fully integrated
with the multidisciplinary Infectious Disease Clinic focus on HIV
and AIDS patients at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Hospital. State-of-the-art evaluation and treatment includes access
to studies sponsored by the NCI AIDS Malignancies Consortium, the
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center and
the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Second opinions and new consultations
are discussed at the interdisciplinary University of Colorado Health
Sciences Center Hospital Tumor Board.
Developmental
Therapeutics
The Developmental Therapeutics/Phase I Clinic is a consultative
clinic in which novel approaches to cancer treatment including biologically
targeted agents such as signal transduction inhibitors, angiogenesis
inhibitors, and antibodies are offered to patients that have failed
standard therapy, in the form of Phase I clinical trials.
Gastrointestinal
Malignancies Clinic
The Gastrointestinal Malignancies Program sees patients for second
opinions or for chemotherapy treatment of esophageal, gastric, pancreas,
biliary, small and large bowel, or rectal cancers. There is also
a multidisciplinary clinic that includes medical oncology, radiation
oncology, and surgery twice a month.
Genitourinary
Cancer (Prostate, bladder, testicular, kidney)
Genitourinary Cancer Patients from across the nation can receive
the latest in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary
cancer at the Grampsas Center for Urologic Oncology at the University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center (UCCC). Our specialists
are internationally known researchers who are investigating the
causes and treatments of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, testicular
cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Innovative trials and state-of-the-art
care offered in a
multidisciplinary clinic attended by medical oncologists, urologists
and radiation therapists.
Head and Neck
Cancer
A multispecialty approach to patients with head and neck cancer
with an emphasis on experimental protocols from the Southwest Oncology
Group as well as the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Cancer Center. Research protocols evaluate new approaches for organ
preservation, toxicity reduction and new systemic treatments. Weekly
multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer conference permits planning
and coordination of patient care among surgery, medical oncology
and radiation
oncology staff.
Hematologic Malignancies
There is major interest in the Oncology Division in the hematologic
malignancies. At the basic research level, division members have
made fundamental discoveries in the causes of acute leukemia. Close
collaboration between medical oncology, radiation oncology and the
BMT program are central to the clinic. At the clinical level, new
agents are being tested in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute
myeloid leukemia (AML), myelomas and lymphomas. Molecular reagents
are also being tested for the monitoring of minimal residual disease
in both acute and chronic leukemias, myelomas and lymphomas. A combined
Hematologic Malignancies/Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic is available
to see patients with all forms of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
and to offer investigational and new drug protocols to patients.
Southwest Oncology group trials are also available. A Second Opinion
Clinic for all forms of hematologic malignancies is also available.
Please see separate section regarding Blood and Marrow Transplant
services.
Hereditary Cancer
Clinic
A multidisciplinary clinic for the evaluation of individuals and/or
families who may have an inherited risk for cancer.
Lung Cancer
Thoracic Malignancies (Non-small cell and small cell lung cancer,
mesothelioma, carcinoid, thymomas and chest sarcomas). A multidisciplinary
clinic providing expertise in prevention, screening diagnosis, staging
and treatment of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies including
the availability of numerous experimental protocols in association
with the National Cancer Institute, Southwest Oncology Group, SPORE
in Lung Cancer.
Malignant Melanoma
and Cutaneous Oncology
The UCCC Melanoma Research Program is one of the largest melanoma
services in the country. It is a multidisciplinary clinic with the
participation of medical oncologists, dermatologists, Mohs surgeons,
plastic surgeons, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, dermatopathologists
and neurosurgeons dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care to
melanoma patients, utilizing the latest techniques for the diagnosis,
staging and treatment of melanoma. Conventional and novel approaches
to therapy are available for every stage of disease, many of which
are unique to the UCHSC Melanoma Research Clinic. In addition, nonmelanoma
skin cancers including cutaneous lymphomas, Basal and Squamous Cell
carcinomas and adrenal tumors are treated by a multidisciplinary
team. We also have a pigmented lesion clinic and a specialized clinic
for skin cancers arising in the setting of organ transplants.
Neuro-Oncology
The Neuro-Oncology program provides a multidisciplinary Approach
to the diagnosis and treatment of tumors involving the central nervous
system. Expertise is available in neuro-oncology, radiation oncology,
neurosurgery, neuropathology and neuroradiology. Treatment approaches
include awake craniotomies with intraoperative monitoring of neurological
function, stereotactic radiosurgery, and intensity modulated radiation
therapy. The program has access to research protocols through its
association with the Southwest Oncology Group and Radiation Therapy
Oncology Group, as well as unique protocols conducted through the
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cancer Center.
Oncology Support
Services
UCCC has a wide range of psychosocial support services available
to cancer patients. Members of our staff include Oncology Social
Workers, Nutritional Counselors, therapists at The Center for Integrative
Medicine, Physical Rehabilitation specialists, Art Therapist, Psychologists,
the Palliative Care Team, and Psychiatrists. The Cancer Center has
a Cancer Resource Center available to all patients, family members
and the community. The Center includes specially designed computer-based
information that is easy to access, movies, audiotapes, and an in-house
lending library. The Center also provides support groups and educational
programs related to living and coping with cancer. Examples of these
include monthly support groups focusing on Brain, Prostate, and
Kidney Cancer and monthly Cancer and Nutrition classes. We offer
educational seminars and support groups for families where a parent
is coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Multidisciplinary
Thyroid Cancer Clinic
Patients with advanced or aggressive thyroid cancer are offered
concurrent evaluation by endocrinology and medical oncology staff.
Coordination of care with Radiation Oncology and Surgery is provided
if needed.
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