| Cancer is a condition of uncontrolled growth of abnormal
cells with a potential for spreading to different parts of the body.
Over 8,000 cases of invasive cancer are diagnosed each year in West
Virginia. It is the state’s second leading cause of death. It is a
diagnosis that causes profound physical, emotional, and financial strain
for the patient, the family, and the community. Recognizing this, Princeton Community Hospital has developed a cancer
program that is a combined effort of multiple disciplines. With our
screening programs, state of the art diagnostics, skilled surgeons,
cutting edge radiation and chemotherapy treatment procedures, meticulous
documentation, and our truly caring support services, we are able to
deliver care that is timely, current, and compassionate. In 1995, we were accredited by the American College of Surgeons
Commission on Cancer as a Community Hospital Cancer Program. We were one
of the first hospitals in West Virginia to receive this accreditation. For comprehensive cancer care, area residents do not need to go
elsewhere. It is available right here in our community. The following
information is provided in recognition of Princeton Community
Hospital’s extensive cancer programs and the people who devote their
lives to giving quality care. |
| When a diagnosis of cancer is made, we are faced not only
with finding out that we or someone we love has the disease; we are also
faced with finding the support to help ourselves or a loved one get
through the battle that is about to begin. Princeton Community Hospital
is here to provide advanced support and encouragement to patients and
their loved ones, while providing the care that this community has grown
to trust. |
 |
| Pathology Pathologists play a key role in the diagnosis of cancer. They examine tissue samples for cancerous cells. Once the diagnosis is made, they help determine the stage of the disease. They also document and track cancer cases that are diagnosed in our area and contribute to the National Tumor Registry. The pathologists conduct tumor board conferences where newly diagnosed cases are discussed by a panel of physicians from various specialties. This group creates a plan of care for each patient. Radiology The skill of the radiologists combined with remarkable advances in technology have enabled the Medical Imaging Department to provide a significant contribution in the diagnosis of cancer. PCH’s Medical Imaging Department has the latest in CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine technology. With the help of this modern technology, interventional radiologists are able to perform biopsies that are less invasive than traditional procedures. Diagnostic procedures at PCH often involve minimal discomfort and great accuracy. Endoscopy Endoscopy is another key procedure in diagnosing cancer. With the use of a scope, physicians of various specialities can visualize the head & neck, the air passages, the chest, the abdomen, the gastrointestinal system, and the urinary bladder. Any tumor within these regions can be seen and biopsied. This procedure is usually done on an out-patient basis. |
| Surgery Surgery plays a vital role in the management and treatment of cancer. Most cancers are diagnosed by a biopsy. Our surgeons perform open or laparoscopic biopsies, mostly on an outpatient basis. For diagnosis of breast cancer PCH offers a minimally invasive technique that uses x-rays to pinpoint the suspicious mass so precisely that it can remove a specimen for biopsy with very little pain and minimal disruption of normal activities. Some cancers can be managed with definitive resections, which are usually done in an inpatient setting. PCH has board certified surgical and anesthesia staff in the operating room, recovery room, intensive care unit and the surgical floor. Other supportive procedures, such as the insertion of implantable catheters for chemotherapy are done for the patient’s comfort. “We have the only cancer program in the area that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons, and we are committed to providing high quality, cost-effective health care.” — Generoso D. Duremdes, M.D., F.A.C.S. Cancer Liaison Officer Otolaryngology Head and neck cancer are often found in the sinuses, the nose, the larynx, the mouth, the tongue, the throat, and on the skin’s surface. Princeton Community Hospital’s cancer network includes physicians who are board certified in facial plastic surgery and in the treatment of cancer in the head and neck region. Surgical procedures for these cancers are conducted at PCH, and patients seldom need referral to centers outside of the community. Through radiation therapy and laser or plastic surgery, Princeton Community Hospital offers quality treatment for cancers in the head and neck region. “The key is getting skilled physicians to hit it hard enough. With the expertise available here, there is no reason to go anywhere else for treatment.” — Lee E. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.S Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Urology Complete urological services are available at PCH in the form of screening, cystoscopy, chemotherapy, and bladder instillation. These procedures, alone or accompanied by other treatment modalities, can often control or even cure many cancers. Dermatology Dermatologists deal with cancers related to the skin’s surface, such as skin cancer and cancerous moles. Dermatology experts at PCH emphasize that preventive measures should be taken to avoid skin cancer. Such measures include educating patients about the sun’s effect on the skin, and the importance of using sunblock. These skin specialists offer total body exams to detect any signs of skin cancer or melanomas, and they offer treatment of such cancers usually through chemical or surgical procedures. “We offer total skin care from education to prevention to treatment.” — David L. Tolliver, D.O. Dermatology Chemotherapy • Hematology • Oncology  Chemotherapy
is the use of powerful drugs to control the growth of cancer cells. Most
of these drugs are given through the veins and are distributed to almost
the entire body. These drugs also affect normal cells. It is the role of
the oncologist to determine the most advantageous drug or drugs to use,
the scheduling of treatment, and use of supportive measures to minimize
side effects and monitor the patient throughout the treatment.Treatment is given in the chemotherapy unit on the second floor of the hospital. Before starting the treatment, a conference is held with the patient and immediate family members who will be caring for the patient. Princeton Community Hospital is recognized as one of the first in the area to offer chemo-therapy treatment for cancer patients. The unit was developed in 1982, and is staffed by board certified oncology nurses who provide personalized care to patients and their families. The attractive, modern facilities are equipped with an on-site lab for patient convenience.  Other
supportive services offered include blood transfusion, hydration, port
flushes, and intrathecal and intravesical chemotherapy. Drugs for
modulation of the immune system such as G-CSF, IFN, and IL2 are also
offered.Other oncology units in the community include Princeton Hematology and Oncology staffed by Dr. Rowena Chambers, and the office of Dr. Muhammed Khokar. Radiation Oncology In radiation therapy, high energy rays are targeted to hit a tumor and kill its cancerous cells. With modern techniques, radiation therapy can be implemented in ways that minimize many side effects that were once unavoidable. The goal of radiation therapy is to provide effective treatment to a cancer without extensive damage to the normal cells around the cancer. Radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for many cancers. It can be used alone or with systemic chemotherapy or surgical procedures to control or even cure cancer. Radiation therapy preserves anatomic structures and their functions. Clinical Trials For many cancer patients, clinical trials offer new options for treatment. For some, there is no other option. Participating in a clinical trial may be their last hope for survival. For those whose treatment hasn’t succeeded, there is nothing to lose. But what is a clinical trial, and how does it work? A clinical trial is a research study performed with human volunteers to answer specific questions related to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease. The clinical trial team includes doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals. They check the health of the participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions to follow, monitor the participant carefully during the trial and stay in touch after the trial is completed. Protocol nurse Cami Maxwell reviews cancer diagnoses at PCH to identify which patients meet the criteria to participate in clinical trials. When potential participants are identified, Maxwell and the physician discuss the trials with the patients to help them decide whether or not to participate. Participation in a clinical trial is strictly voluntary, and those who choose to participate may drop out at any time. Once the decision is made, patients are registered online. A computer randomly selects which patients will receive the standard treatment and which ones will receive the experimental treatment, which could be a new drug or a new way of administering an established drug. Information from the National Institutes of Health describes different types of trials that serve different purposes. Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy. Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent disease in people who have never had it or to prevent disease from recurring in those who have. These approaches may include medicines, vitamins, vaccines, minerals or lifestyle changes. Diagnostic trials are conducted to find better tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition. Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions. Quality of life trials explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for those with a chronic illness. Clinical trials are funded by a variety of organizations such as medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups and pharmaceutical companies, as well as federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. |
| Supportive Care Inpatient Oncology When hospitalization is necessary, our inpatient oncology unit is dedicated to caring for cancer patients. Located on the fourth floor of the main hospital, the well-appointed unit features seven private rooms, six semi-private rooms, and a common area designed for family and visitors. The goal of the unit’s specially trained staff is to provide exceptional care for cancer patients and their families.  Pain
Control & ManagementWhen the oral medications prescribed for pain are ineffective, other pain control measures are available, including nerve blocks, and the direct infusion of medication into the spine. PCH has an array of pain management techniques, and is the only cancer center in the area to provide complete pain management support for most types of cancer. “With advanced techniques, there is no reason for cancer pain to go untreated.” — Kenneth J. Parker, M.D. Anesthesiology Nutrition Services The goal of the Nutrition Services Department is to educate patients on the importance of nutrition. Registered dietitians offer consultation and assessments for inpatients and outpatients who are experiencing nutritional difficulties due to cancer. A well-balanced, healthy diet that may include supplements is designed for each patient. Patients can return for consultation up to one year after discharge to continue nutritional assessment. “We try to be as accommodating to cancer patients as possible because nutritional health will enhance the success of their treatment.” — Jeanne Schmauss, R.D. Nutrition Services Social Services  “Health
care is changing. Having the technology and having access to it are two
different things. We are here to help patients gain access to the
advanced technology that is available.”— Rosalie Owrey, M.S., L.C.S.W., L.P.C. Social Services The network of social services experts at PCH is often an invaluable resource for cancer patients. They help patients and their families adjust to and understand a cancer diagnosis, while offering counseling, financial planning, and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. They also help patients access community resources, and assist in preparation of living wills and medical power of attorney documents. PCH Home Health  Home
health care enables patients to remain in the comfort of their homes
while receiving treatment, and it is much less expensive than inpatient
hospitalization. Home health nurses work as a link between the patient
and the physician, providing consultations and home visits.Working closely with Clinic IV, they provide pain control and management with infusion pumps, nutritional assistance with tube feeding and supplements, and intravenous chemotherapy. The nurses also provide home care education and support for patients and families. PCH Home Health is JCAHO accredited and Medicare certified. Hospice Any patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease and does not desire curative treatment or artificial life support qualifies for hospice care. PCH works closely with Hospice Care of the Virginias to arrange hospice services for those who want them. Hospice Care of the Virginias provides a variety of services in the home setting, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay, and is Medicare certified. Spiritual Support Throughout the different phases of cancer, patients and families often experience feelings of anger, depression and hopelessness. Through pastoral care, patients don’t have to deal with these feelings on their own. Chaplain Steve Lilly is available to offer emotional and spiritual support and encouragement to patients and their loved ones. He works with the whole family, helping them assess their internal resources for dealing with the disease in a more hopeful way. |
|
Cancer Support Group
The Cancer Support Group at PCH offers experience, advice, and support to people dealing with cancer. Through a program called “Reach to Recovery,” breast cancer patients can talk to women who have personally dealt with the stages of cancer and have experienced the physical, emotional, and cosmetic aspects of breast cancer and treatment. Reach to Recovery volunteers provide support and education to patients and their families about cancer, and assist the patient in looking and feeling as good as possible throughout her battle with the disease. The group meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm in the PCH Education Classrooms 1 & 2. Cancer Resource Center Patients, their families and healthcare providers need accurate, up-to-date information about cancer. Through the Cancer Resource Center, they have access to a variety of tools including cancer information databases, technical journals, specialized textbooks and internet access to the nation's leading cancer programs. The center is staffed with volunteers trained to assist in finding information. It is located on the main hospital's second floor, near the day surgery and outpatient oncology units. It is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 304-487-7246. Tumor Registry Data gathering of all cases is an integral part of cancer care. At PCH, it starts with documentation at the time of tissue diagnosis, and continues through staging, therapeutic intervention and outcome for the patient’s lifetime. A certified tumor registrar is responsible for all data collection. Education The Education Department emphasizes preventive care for cancer and has a library of information on cancer-related topics. Educational programs are taken into local schools to teach children about lifestyle choices that can help prevent cancer. A Message from our Physicians Recently the National Cancer Institute proclaimed the first tangible success in the war against cancer. The mortality rate declined 3.1%, the first such decline after 25 years of steady rise. In contrast to the national trend, West Virginia has registered an increase in mortality rates in lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer in the same period. Clearly, there is much to be done if we are to reverse this trend. We must provide more education on healthy lifestyles, make screening programs more effective and continue our efforts in comprehensive cancer care. We are committed to serving our community in the fight against cancer. We are determined to make a difference. Dr. Gene Duremdes Dr. Charles Gabe Dr. Muhammed Khokar Dr. Rowena Chambers Dr. Gopal Pardasani Dr. David Mullins One day at a time
|
“The
staff at Princeton Community were people I trusted to be very caring,
extremely helpful, and as skilled as any that you will ever find.
After going through PCH’s cancer treatment programs, I went to
another cancer center for a second opinion . At that center, I was
given reassuring evidence that Princeton Community Hospital had done
everything that any major cancer treatment center would have done in
my particular case.