Treatment Planning

Lung cancer treatment can involve a surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pulmonologist, pathologist and others caregivers in a precise and intricate sequence. Planning and coordinating the best possible sequence of care for each patient is critically important.

• The Multidisciplinary Chest Conference/Clinic at Thompson Downtown
  At Thompson Downtown, the cases of patients with chest disease are presented to a team of physicians and other medical professionals during a weekly chest conference.

  After the conference the patient may meet with individual specialists one at a time. In one afternoon a course of treatment can be agreed upon and scheduled. Participants may include:

  • Medical oncologist
  • Radiation oncologist
  • Pulmonologist
  • Radiologist
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Pathologist
  • Licensed clinical social worker
  • Nutritionist
  • Genetic counselor
  • Clinical trial nurse
  • Multidisciplinary cancer care coordinator

  Throughout the process a multidisciplinary cancer care coordinator is available to be sure each patient understands the plan of care. At the conclusion of the multidisciplinary clinic the multidisciplinary cancer care coordinator helps schedule the planned care.

• The Comprehensive Chest Clinic at Thompson at Methodist
  At Thompson at Methodist the Comprehensive Chest Clinic eliminates any unnecessary delay in diagnosing and beginning treatment of possible chest cancers.

  As soon as a family doctor or other physician refers a patient to the Comprehensive Chest Clinic an appointment is set for an examination within the next two days.

  If additional an additional examination or diagnostic procedure (such as a biopsy) is needed, it is arranged quickly.

  A special care coordinator schedules appointments with any specialists who need to see the patient. Within one week of the original referral, all examinations are complete, a diagnosis is determined, a treatment plan is developed and treatment is scheduled to begin.