Diagnosis and Treatment
A fellowship-trained medical or surgical oncologist works with you and your doctor to confirm your diagnosis and determine the best treatment for your condition. Tests and therapies are coordinated so appointments are convenient and time efficient for patients.
Diagnostic Tests
To plan your treatment and track your progress, your doctor may order diagnostic tests.
- X-rays use radiation to detect abnormalities in the body.
- A CT or CAT scan looks inside the body and may require a dye injection.
- MRI uses a machine to look inside the body without using radiation.
- Bone scan determines abnormalities of the bones and requires an injection.
- PET CT scan combines an injection and a scan to monitor treatment and for diagnosis.
- Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create images.
- Digital breast tomosynthesis also known as 3D mammography
Lab Services
A pathologist examines blood, body fluids or tissues to confirm a diagnosis and determine the stage of a cancer.
- CBC is a complete blood count checking for white and red blood cell counts.
- BMP determines salt balance and glucose levels.
- CMP determines liver and kidney functions and calcium levels.
- PSA, CEA, and CA 125 are specific tests for particular cancers.
Treatment Options
Arnot Health cancer treatments are carefully planned to meet the unique needs of each individual with compassionate, holistic care. A combination of methods is used to achieve the best possible results.
- Surgery may be used to remove tumors or for diagnosis.
- Radiation beams high energy particles to destroy or damage cancer cells. Arnot Health uses advanced technologies to adjust and precisely target radiation for maximum benefit.
- Medical oncology may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal or transfusion therapies to stop cancer cells from growing. Our chemotherapy suite is designed for comfort.
- Palliative care is a holistic approach to treatment that helps minimize and control symptoms, improving quality of life during treatment.
Clinical Trials
Patients may have an opportunity to participate in clinical trials. We are an affiliate member of Southwest Oncology Group through the University of Rochester which allows us to gain access to trials that are available through the National Cancer Institute's National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). Ask your doctor or nurse if you are interested in a clinical trial or call the clinical coordinator at 607-271-3796.
Current Clinical Trials We Are Participating In
EA1151- Comparison of Tomosynthesis to Digital Mammography in Breast Cancer Screening
Lead Researcher- Edwin Acosta, MD
Purpose: compares two methods of mammography over several years to determine the best way to screen for breast cancer in the future. Through the data collected in TMIST, we hope to develop better strategies and trials that tailor breast cancer screening to an individual's risks for developing breast cancer.
Lead Researcher (Principal Investigator): Dr. Edwin Acosta
Study Contact Information:
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607) 271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
NRG-GU010- Two Studies for Patients with Unfavorable Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer Testing Less Intense Treatment for Patients with a Low Gene Risk Score and Testing a More Intense Treatment for Patients with a Higher Gene Risk Score
Lead Researcher: Dr. Chi Tsang
Purpose: clinical study for men with unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer that provides treatment options based on gene risk score. The prostate tumor tissue from your biopsy will be tested for different genes that all together predict the risk of your cancer spreading. This is called the Decipher risk score.
Researchers: Dr. Chi Tsang in collaboration with Dr. Serge Dauphin and Dr. Alan Angell
Study Contact Information:
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607) 271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
S1914- Testing the addition of the drug atezolizumab to the usual radiation treatment for patients with early non-small cell lung cancer
Lead Researcher: Dr. Chi Tsang
Purpose: Comparing standard treatment to using the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab plus standard treatment. Atezolizumab in addition to standard treatment could extend your life.
Researcher: Dr. Chi Tsang in collaboration with Dr. Serge Dauphin
Study Contact Information
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607) 271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
LUNG MAP- Targeted Treatment for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Lead Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Purpose: treating advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with targeted therapy working to reduce treatment side effects.
Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Study Contact Information:
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607) 271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
S2013- An Observational Study Examining Side Effects from Immunotherapy
Lead Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Immunotherapy is the type of treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. In the future, this information can help participants and their doctors make better decisions about cancer treatments by observing any side effects that may occur over a period of 12-months.
Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Study Contact Information:
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607) 271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
S1703- Comparing overall survival using markers to direct cancer monitoring versus usual monitoring in patients with metastatic hormone receptor positive HER-2 negative breast cancer
Lead Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
The usual approach for patients who are not in a study to have their cancer checked includes doctor visits, scans, and serum tumor markers (STMs), also called "markers". Scans, like X-rays, CT, PET and MRI, take pictures of cancer. Markers are substances that are made by cancer cells or by other cells of the body in response to cancer. Tests can be completed with blood samples to look for markers (like CA 15-3, CA 27.29 and CEA). Markers are used to help find some cancers and can help the doctor decide if a cancer is responding to treatment. In the usual approach to checking cancer, the treating doctor decides which markers and scans should be completed and how often they should be checked. Usually, scans are ordered at least every 12 weeks (3 months) but the doctor can decide to order them more often.
Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Study Contact Information
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607)271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
EF36- KEYNOTE- A study of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields, 150 kHz) at the same time as pembrolizumab for newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer confined to the chest.
Lead Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
This is a study that involves collecting data on the clinical results of an experimental device, the NovoTTF-200T, at the same time as the standard immunotherapy agent pembrolizumab, for a first line treatment of your lung cancer.
Researcher: Dr. Serge Dauphin
Study Contact Information
Study Coordinator: Christy Hendrickson, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
Phone: (607)271-3796
Email: Christy.rumsey@arnothealth.org
You can also see what types of trials are available in your area by going to the clinicaltrials.gov website, then type in your type of cancer and your location.
We're Here to Help
To speak with a registered nurse 8am - 8pm, call Health on Demand at 607-737-4499.