Lung Cancer Programat Stamford Hospital

The Lung Cancer Program at Stamford Hospital brings together a team of highly qualified experts from many disciplines involved in treating lung cancer. From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care, we provide patients with a full continuum of leading-edge cancer services.

• The National Cancer Institute model for cancer care, which includes multidisciplinary conferences and patient navigators

• The most advanced and up-to-date radiology imaging technology and diagnostic systems

• CyberKnife® therapy for lung tumors in non-surgical candidates

• Minimally invasive and robotic techniques using the da Vinci Surgical Platform

• Multidisciplinary care for advanced disease, as well as neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation to shrink large “unresectable” tumors so they can be surgically removed

• Hyperthermic chemotherapy perfusion for pleural-based tumors, metastatic disease and mesothelioma

• Advanced airway surgery, including laser resection and stenting

• Genetic screening of specimens for all lung cancer patients to determine optimal post-surgical adjuvant therapy

• Access to national clinical trials, including those that target localized cancers in poor surgical candidates

• Multidisciplinary outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation to assist patients in returning to normal activities

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We are committed to caring for you in every way. Our experts meet regularly to share individual lung cancer cases and review treatment options to attain the best possible outcome. Our nurse coordinator provides expert guidance and support, from the moment you are diagnosed, through treatment and recovery. If you are concerned about your risk for lung cancer, she is also available to help you decide whether to have a lung screening.

“We want our patients to focus on becoming well again. As the Lung Cancer Program Coordinator, I know that if we can minimize their anxiety, we can maximize our ability to help them to heal. Before taking on this role, I was a staff nurse on Stamford Hospital’s oncology floor for 13 years. This gave me a solid background in working with oncology patients, as well as a strong relationship with hospital physicians and I draw on this experience as I help navigate a path for lung cancer patients.”

Melissa Ronk, RN is a registered nurse with certification in oncology nursing. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Fairfield University as well as a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Vermont.

For information about our program and to speak with Melissa, please call (203) 276-CARE (2273).

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Melissa Ronk, RN, Lung Cancer Program Coordinator

Preventing Lung Cancer

We are committed to the prevention of lung cancer, and offer free educational materials, along with supportive services. We also run regular smoking cessation programs throughout the year. Please call toll-free (877) 233-WELL (9355) or log on to www.stamfordhospital.com for specific seminar dates and times.

If you are concerned about your risk for lung cancer, we offer low-dose computerized tomography (CT). With our four multidetector CT scanners, including the 64-slice CT, we can detect very small tumors with great efficiency. This provides peace of mind for concerned individuals and calls attention to the cancer in the earliest, most controllable stages. While recent studies indicate that there are advantages to identifying lung cancer as early as possible through CT scanning, it is important to note that few insurance companies will pay for the test for people with no symptoms. Your physician can help you evaluate your options, and our nurse coordinator is also available to help you make the decision that is right for you.

Early detection may offer people the best options for a cure. You should consider screening if you are a current or former smoker and over the age of 40. Other risk factors can include: exposure to second-hand smoke or radon gas; pipe and cigar smoking; family history of lung cancer; or working with chemicals such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, iron or radioactive materials.

Diagnosing Lung Cancer

The first step in treating lung cancer is accurate diagnosis and staging. Stamford Hospital has the most sophisticated diagnostic imaging technology, including

state-of-the-art equipment for positron emission tomography (PET) and CT scans. We offer the full spectrum of diagnostic modalities including radiology, pulmonary medicine and surgery. Many of these diagnostic tests can be done on an outpatient basis, with results shared promptly with you and your physician.

4stamfordhospital.org For more information, please call 1.877.233.WELL (9355)

Treating Lung Cancer

Treatment depends on the type and stage of your lung cancer. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. We participate in many important clinical trials. Enrollment in one of these may be appropriate for you. Our Integrative Medicine Program is available and may supplement these traditional forms of therapy.

Surgery: Stamford Hospital is also known for our expertise in minimally invasive surgical treatment of lung cancer. When a skilled surgeon is able to operate through a smaller incision, you will have less pain and recover faster. We also offer bronchoscopic-guided bronchial stenting and laser therapy.

Chemotherapy: Progress has been made in the use of chemotherapy for lung cancer patients. Systemic chemotherapy is often given to advanced disease patients, and is being used more frequently as post-operative adjuvant therapy. In some instances, radiation therapy is employed simultaneously with chemotherapy, or in sequence with it. The newer targeted therapies, given either with chemotherapy or as single agents, have added to the overall effectiveness of lung cancer treatment.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is often an important component of lung cancer treatment. It may offer an alternative to surgery, be used with chemotherapy, and can also be effective in relieving specific symptoms. The CyberKnife® Center at Stamford Hospital is an extension of services offered at the Bennett Cancer Center. CyberKnife is the world’s first and only radiosurgery system designed to treat cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy. Using image guidance technology and computer-controlled robotics, the system can continuously track the tumor, detect its location and correct for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. This unique ability is important for treating tumors that move, such as those in the lung.

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Clinical Trials

The Bennett Cancer Center has an active research group where patients can be evaluated for participation in clinical trials. These may provide access to promising treatments not otherwise available. Many patients find great satisfaction in contributing to the design of therapies to help future patients.

Support Services

We offer the following support services to ease the burden of living with lung cancer:

Pulmonary Rehabilitation serves the needs of chronic lung disease patients. Our goal is to help you understand and cope with respiratory challenges, and to function more comfortably and independently at home. Education and therapeutic exercise are combined into a comprehensive 10-week program.

Counseling & Support Groups are available for individuals and/or families.

Transitions: Choices in Recovery is a post-treatment survivorship program for patients and families. This program includes a post-care treatment plan that your oncologist prepares for you, as well as post-treatment exercise and nutrition programs, education and wellness programs and coping strategies to assist you with your transition into the recovery phase of your journey.

The Integrative Medicine Program at the Bennett Cancer Center offers comprehensive integrative techniques to heal the body, mind and spirit. Modalities including massage therapy, hypnotherapy, Reiki, Tai Chi, meditation, reflexology, visualization and other mind-body therapies, music therapy, art therapy and nutritional counseling, are available to all our cancer patients at no charge.

Palliative Care & Hospice Services. Stamford Hospital has both pain and palliative care nurse coordinators available for our inpatients. In addition, palliative care and hospice services are provided through Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut (VNHC) which offers hospice care at home, in the hospital and at the Richard L. Rosenthal Residence, a beautiful facility located next to the hospital.

For more information or to register for any of these programs, please contact Melissa Ronk, RN at (203) 276-CARE (2273) or Michelle Palazzo at (203) 276-6143.

6stamfordhospital.org For more information, please call 1.877.233.WELL (9355)

Music and sound therapy are part of the Integrative Medicine Program at

the Bennett Cancer Center.

8stamfordhospital.org For more information, please call 1.877.233.WELL (9355)

Our Medical Team Includes:

Sean Dowling, MDMedical School: Yale UniversityResidency: Yale-New Haven HospitalBoard Certified: Radiation Oncology, Internal Medicine

Timothy S. Hall, MDChair, Department of SurgeryMedical School: Temple University School of MedicineResidency: Johns Hopkins UniversityFellowships: Johns Hopkins University (Cardiothoracic Surgery); Memorial Sloan-Kettering (Thoracic Oncology)Board Certified: Thoracic Surgery, Critical Care Surgery

Augusto Podesta, MDDirector, Surgical PathologyMedical School: University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine, ArgentinaResidency: University of Colorado Health Science Center, Penrose HospitalFellowship: Yale-New Haven Hospital (Surgical Pathology)Board Certified: Anatomic Pathology

Paul Sachs, MDDirector, Pulmonary Medicine & Pulmonary RehabilitationMedical School: New York University School of MedicineResidency: The New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical CenterFellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital Medical Center (Pulmonary Medicine)Board Certified: Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine

Ravi Thakur, MDMedical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine Residencies: Beth Israel Deaconess Medicinal Center; New York Presbyterian Hospital Fellowship: New York University (Radiology-MRI)Board Certified: Radiology

Paul Weinstein, MDDirector, Hematology OncologyMedical School: Chicago Medical SchoolResidency: Montefiore Hospital & Medical CenterFellowship: Montefiore Hospital & Medical Center (Hematology Oncology)Board Certified: Hematology, Oncology, Internal Medicine

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About the Bennett Cancer Center

The Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital provides compassionate, patient-centered care from diagnosis through treatment and post-treatment care. The Center is also dedicated to prevention, education and early detection of cancer. A multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians, oncology nurses and technicians provides advanced surgical, medical and technological services in a warm, caring environment.

• Pulmonary Medicine

• Thoracic Surgery

• Medical Oncology

• Radiation Therapy

• Clinical Trials

• Critical Care Medicine

• Pathology

• Radiology

• Nursing

• Support Services

• Integrative Medicine

• Cancer Registry

Our Lung Cancer Program team includes experts from each of these fields:

Standing: Dr. A. Podesta, Dr. P. Sachs, Melissa Ronk, Dr. T. Hall, Dr. S. DowlingSitting: Dr. R. Thakur, Dr. P. Weinstein

10stamfordhospital.org For more information, please call 1.877.233.WELL (9355)

Important Phone Numbers

Melissa Ronk, RN .................................................................................(203) 276-CARE (2273)Lung Cancer Program CoordinatorBennett Cancer Center

Bennett Cancer Center .....................................................................................(203) 276-7199General Information

Hematology Oncology, PC .............................................................................(203) 325-2695Medical Oncology GroupBennett Cancer Center

Pulmonary Associates of Stamford Hospital ....................................... (203) 348-2437

Department of Surgery ........................................................................... (203) 276-7470Stamford Hospital

Department of Thoracic Surgery ........................................................... (203) 276-7471Stamford Hospital

Radiation Oncology .................................................................................. (203) 276-7886Bennett Cancer Center

Patient Services Manager ....................................................................... (203) 276-6143Bennett Cancer Center

Pulmonary Rehabilitation ....................................................................... (203) 276-2660Tully Health Center

Clinical Trials ............................................................................................... (203) 323-8944Bennett Cancer Center

Oncology Counselor ................................................................................. (203) 276-7841Bennett Cancer Center

Nutritionist ................................................................................................. (203) 276-2004Bennett Cancer Center

Art Program Coordinator ........................................................................ (203) 276-5961Bennett Cancer Center

Pastoral Care .............................................................................................. (203) 276-7584Bennett Cancer Center

Smoking Cessation ......................................................................(877) 233-WELL (9355)Tully Health Center

Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Southwestern CT .......................... (203) 276-3000

Stamford Hospital30 Shelburne RoadP.O. Box 9317Stamford, CT 06904-9317203.276.1000

www.stamfordhospital.org