Cancer Care

If your cancer diagnosis requires surgery or you are exploring available surgical options, we encourage you to meet with one of our experienced surgeons. Our collaborative team uses the latest technologies and minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible to treat cancer.

When it comes to treating cancer, we understand that no single approach works for everyone. Which is why regardless of your course of treatment, our experienced surgeons are trained and ready to deliver the best possible outcomes for you or your loved ones.

If this journey has just begun for you, let our patient navigators take the wheel and direct your journey by scheduling diagnostic and treatment appointments and procedures, while providing support and encouragement every step of the way.

Surgical Oncologists

Monique A. Gary, DO, FACS – Breast Oncologic Surgery

General Surgeons

Thomas J. Coyle, MD, FACS
Lewis Gill, MD
John J. Pagan, MD, FACS
Edwin Shearburn III, MD, FACS

Radiation therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, or both, to reduce the size of a tumor, provide a cure and improve quality of life. The radiation oncologist and departmental staff plan and deliver courses of radiation treatments to patients with various cancer diagnoses. Several methods of treatment planning and delivery are available, including:

• 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT)
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
• Low Dose Rate (LDR) prostate seed implants
• Radionuclides, used in the treatment of thyroid cancer, bony metastases or lymphomas.

Leveraging advancements in technology, Grand View Health offers a sophisticated linear accelerator to map the exact location of a tumor and conform to its size, shape and volume, allowing physicians to administer higher doses of radiation in a shorter amount of time, while sparing nearby healthy tissue. As a result, fewer radiation therapy sessions are needed and sessions are shorter.

This versatile accelerator has stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and Cyberknife capabilities, which are non-surgical procedures that can yield surgical results by administering large doses of radiation meant to destroy hard-to-reach tumors. SBRT provides a noninvasive option for patients who are unable to undergo surgery and is helpful for tumors or abnormalities located closely to vital organs.

Radiation Oncologist

Martin C. Hightower, MD

Grand View Health and the physicians of Alliance Cancer Specialists work together to offer patients and families the latest ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. We strive to provide quality cancer care that leads to the best possible outcomes.

Alliance Cancer Specialists, the largest community-based team of medical oncologists in Southeastern Pennsylvania, is dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of all types of cancers and blood disorders. This collaborative team approach across the community guarantees new patients will be seen within 48 hours by a board-certified oncologist and receive coordinated care that is supported by our oncology certified nurse practitioners and nursing team.

Your medical oncologist will develop a coordinated treatment plan specific to your needs, including diagnostic testing using advanced equipment.

Locations

Grand View Health and Alliance Cancer Specialists serve Upper Bucks and northeast Montgomery counties with convenient locations including the Grand View Health Sellersville Outpatient Center, which provides outpatient chemotherapy infusions to treat cancer patients.

Knowing your potential cancer risk can help you and your physician make better, more informed decisions about your health before the onset of cancer or a second cancer has a chance to develop.

The Cancer Genetic Risk and Prevention Program offers genetic evaluation and counseling services to individuals and families who may be at an increased risk for developing certain cancers. Hereditary cancer risk may be linked to more than one type of cancer.

Genetic Evaluation Services

• Personal and family medical history evaluation
• Risk assessment using pedigree and computerized risk prediction models
• Genetic education and counseling
• Genetic testing facilitation
• Psychosocial support

Counseling Services

Counseling is offered for individuals with any personal or family history of:

• Cancer diagnosed at an age younger than 50
• More than one primary cancer
• More than one close family member with cancer
• Rare cancers (male breast cancer, ovarian or sarcoma)
• Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry
• Known cancer susceptibility syndrome in your family

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a research study designed to answer specific health questions related to the development, production and evaluation of the effectiveness of new treatments and therapies for diseases. Clinical trials rely on human volunteers to carefully and safely evaluate new treatment options and ways to improve health in a controlled setting. Clinical trials test the benefits of experimental treatments, new medications, combinations of existing drugs and new ways of using known therapies. These tests use the most advanced drug therapies available. If a trial proves successful, the treatment may become a standard practice.

What are Clinical Trial protocols?

Clinical trial protocols are the guidelines that must be followed during the course of any clinical study. For patient safety, each protocol must be approved by the organization that sponsors the study and the Institutional Board (IRB) at the hospital. The IRB, which includes community members, clergy and health professionals, reviews the protocol to try to be sure that the research will not expose patients to extreme or unethical risks.

Clinical Trial Phases

Clinical trials are conducted in phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions.

• Phase I Trials: Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment on a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, how it should be administered (orally, intravenously or by injection) and how often. These trials also help healthcare professionals determine a safe dosage range and identify side effects.
• Phase II Trials: The experimental drug or treatment is gen to a larger group of people (100-300) to provide preliminary information about how well the new drug works and to generate more information about its safety and benefits.
• Phase III Trials: The experimental drug or treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly-used treatments and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
• Phase IV Trial: Continued evaluation takes place after FDA approval, when the drug is already on the market and available for general use.

Who can participate in a Clinical Trial?

Each protocol in a clinical trial has specific characteristics, called eligibility criteria that participants should have in order to participate in the study. Characteristics may include type of disease and its stage, the participant’s age and general health.

Eligibility criteria help assure that the study results answer the research questions at hand and identify who will benefit in the future from the approach being studied.

Insurance Coverage

As you consider enrolling in a clinical trial, you will want to review your insurance coverage. Even if you have health insurance, your coverage may not include some or all of the patient care costs associated with a clinical trial. This is because some health plans define critical trials as “experimental” or “investigational” procedures. As a result, we suggest you contact your insurance provider for more details.

In 2000, Medicare began covering beneficiaries’ patient care costs in clinical trials. Up-to-date information about what Medicare will cover can be found on the Web site of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration).

For additional information on clinical trials, visit clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/resources.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the physical, mental or emotional effects of cancer treatment, Grand View’s specially-trained therapists from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department are here to serve you.

Our team helps cancer patients regain strength, physical function and independence that they may have lost due to cancer or its treatment. We provide care and support for the following:

Fatigue and weakness: Cancer treatments may leave you feeling tired. Exercise is recommended for cancer-related fatigue. Through our cancer rehabilitation program, you will receive a custom fitness plan which we will design and monitor as you strive to feel more energized.

Balance Disturbances: Two common side effects of cancer treatment can cause you to feel off balance, such as weight loss and abnormal sensations in your legs. Our therapists will work with you to improve overall balance and prevent falls and injuries.

Pain, Muscle Tightness And Loss Of Motion: After surgery or radiation therapy, we will help you improve posture, increase range of motion, decrease pain and reduce your risk for long-term musculoskeletal problems.

Lymphedema: Lymphedema is an over-accumulation of protein-rich fluid that causes abnormal swelling in one or more areas of the body. Radiation therapy, lymph node removal or surgery can affect your lymphatic system. Our certified therapists trained in Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) help to reduce swelling, describe potential complications and teach self-management techniques. Treatment is most effective when started early.