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A Team Approach to Treat Advanced Lung Cancer

Recorded on 10/2/2008

PROGRAM DETAILS:

For patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, treatment can be complicated and requires a coordinated team of specialists for the best odds in fighting the cancer. On this episode of Patient Power, hear the latest in treatment for advanced lung cancer from leaders at the University of Washington Medical Center, a part of UW Medicine, in the three treatment modalities - surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology. The experts featured on this program are Dr. Doug Wood, chief of General Thoracic Surgery; Dr. Renato Martins, a medical oncologist who specializes in lung cancer; and Dr. Patel, a radiation oncologist who specializing in lung cancer. Learn how these specialties work together with the latest approaches to offer individualized care and improve survival.

Also joining the program is Ed, a 60-year-old former battalion chief with the Seattle Fire Department. Ed was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in early Spring 2007. As an active and healthy adult, who had only smoked for a few years in his 20s, Ed was shocked when he received his lung cancer diagnosis. However, finding doctors he could trust and who collaborated about his care , while still discussing with him, was key in coordinating the surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments that followed.

For most patients with advanced lung cancer, surgery itself is not effective. Dr. Martins speaks to an evolution in doctor’s understanding, particularly during the past five years, about the interaction with the genetics of the tumors and which therapies are most effective. Dr. Patel discusses the strides that have been made to improve the quality of life for patients after radiation therapy. Obviously, in the lungs, doctors seek to minimize the doses of radiation to the surrounding structures like the heart. Learn how doctors are using all three treatment modalities to make this happen. Dr. Wood encourages lung cancer patients not to focus on the statistics but instead on connecting with a team of providers who can make community decisions when it comes to treatment. All three doctors implore patients to seek a second opinion if they have any questions.

Treatment has not been easy for Ed, but throughout the program his dogged determination is evident. He says, “The hardest part is when you do start to recover, and it seems like it takes forever. So, you have to look at it on a different time scale. You don’t look at it day-to-day. You look at it as two weeks ago I couldn’t walk to the end of the driveway, and today I can walk a mile.” To hear more from Ed and the ‘dream team’ of lung cancer specialists, don’t miss this Patient Power program.

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EXPERTS & GUESTS:
Renato Martins, M.D., M.P.H. Renato Martins, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, UW Medicine
Dr. Martins is a medical oncologist and associate professor of medicine, as well as medical director of the Thoracic/Head & Neck Cancer Program at the University of Washington. He is also medical director of Outpatient Services at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He received his medical degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in his home country of Brazil,... more >

Shilpen Patel, M.D. Shilpen Patel, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, UW Medicine
Dr. Patel is Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director at the University of Washington Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology Department. He has received several grants and awards for research projects, including the American Cancer Society Support Grant. Dr. Patel received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX, and completed residency training at the University of... more >

Douglas E. Wood, M.D. Douglas E. Wood, M.D.
Professor and Chief, General Thoracic Surgery, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, UW Medicine
Dr. Wood is Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at UW Medicine. His specialties include: esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and sarcoma. He is a firm believer in “prompt and efficient evaluation and clear explanations to help patients make good decisions.” Dr. Wood earned his medical degree from the prestigious Harvard Medical School. He completed his residency at Massachusetts General... more >

Ed Edwards,
Lung Cancer Patient
Ed Edwards is a lung cancer patient. Ed is a former battalion chief with the Seattle Fire Department. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in early Spring 2007. As an active and healthy adult, who had only smoked for a few years in his 20s, Ed was shocked when he received his lung cancer diagnosis. more >

TRANSCRIPT:

  1. Introduction LISTEN
  2. Ed’s Story LISTEN
  3. Advantages of a Team Approach LISTEN
  4. Question from Listener LISTEN
  5. Benefits of Seeing an Experienced Team LISTEN
  6. A Second Opinion May Increase Your Options LISTEN

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