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he Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute at Bridgeport Hospital provides expert care to men and women with brain tumors, head and neck cancer, lymphoma/leukemia, sarcoma and skin cancer/melanoma.
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Treatment and Support at Bridgeport Hospital
The nurses, staff and volunteers at The Dr. Richard W. Kmetzo Cancer Resource Center are here to answer your questions, provide free informational booklets and books, help you plan for appointments and support for you and your family at every stage. Located on the first floor of Bridgeport Hospital.
For specific information about diagnosis and treatments for these cancers, please contact us.
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Brain Tumors
Brain Tumors at a Glance
A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which some cells grow and multiply uncontrollably.
Brain tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells. Usually benign tumors can be removed. They are sometimes life-threatening.
Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells. They are generally more serious and often life threatening. They can grow rapidly and impact the surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom or a test result that suggests a brain tumor, your doctor may order additional tests or procedures, including:
- neurological examination to examine reflexes, muscle strength, eye and facial movement, coordination, alertness, balance, vision and more
- CT or CAT scan – imaging that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the brain
- MRI - a diagnostic procedure that uses large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body
- x-ray
- bone scan - pictures taken of the bone after a dye has been injected that is absorbed by bone tissue
- spinal tap or lumbar puncture - fluid from the spinal cord is removed and sent for testing
- positron emission tomography (PET) - a tiny amount of a radioactive substance examines tissue and evaluates its metabolism
- magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) - a procedure that produces images depicting function rather than shape
Treatment
Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- steroids and medications
- placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt
- bone marrow transplantation
- rehabilitation
- stereotactic radiosurgery - delivers high doses of radiation at the tumor site, while sparing the surrounding normal tissue, with the use of photon beams from a linear accelerator or cobalt x-rays.
- chemotherapy wafers - wafers containing a cancer-killing drug is inserted directly into the brain tumor during surgery
- gene therapy
Contact us at 203-384-3904 or cancerresources@bpthosp.org.
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Head and Neck Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer at a Glance
Head and neck cancer develops in the head or neck region of the body, such as the mouth, nose, sinuses, lips, salivary glands, throat or larynx (voice box).
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom or a test result that suggests head or neck cancer, your doctor may order additional tests or procedures, including:
- biopsy – a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present
- CT or CAT scan – imaging that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images
- ultrasonography – a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs
- MRI – a noninvasive procedure that uses large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body, especially the brain and spinal cord
- endoscopic procedures – ways to view and examine the nasal cavity, mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx
Treatment
Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- surgery to remove specific types of tumors. This may inclue:
- primary tumor resection – including tumors of the oral cavity, tougue, throat, larynx (voicebox), sinus and other tumors of the head and neck region
- lymph node resection – preserving form and function
- minimally invasive endoscopic surgery
- reconstructive surgery after tumor resection
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
Contact us at 203-384-3904 or cancerresources@bpthosp.org.
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Lymphoma / Leukemia
Lymphoma at a Glance
Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. Lymphoid tissue includes the lymph nodes and other organs that are part of the body’s immune system, which makes some blood cells and protects against germs.
Lymphomas fall into two major categories: Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease) and all other lymphomas, called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Leukemia at a Glance
Leukemia is the general name for four different types of cancers: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
These cancers are in the body’s blood-forming tissues, such as bone marrow and the lymphatic system. The disease usually starts when a person’s bone marrow starts to produce a large number of abnormal white blood cells. These eventually block production of normal white blood cells, impairing the body’s ability to fight off infection.
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom or a test result that suggests lymphoma or leukemia, your doctor may order additional tests or procedures, including:
- additional blood tests
- CT or CAT scan – imaging that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images
- MRI – a diagnostic procedure that uses large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body
- x-ray
- positron emission tomography (PET) – a procedure that uses a tiny amount of a radioactive substance to examine tissue and evaluate its metabolism
- biopsy or aspiration – a procedure performed to remove tissue, cells or fluid from the body for examination.
- ultrasound/sonography – an imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs.
- complete blood count (CBC) – a measurement of size, number, and maturity of different blood cells in a specific volume of blood
- spinal tap/lumbar puncture – a special needle is placed into the lower back, into the spinal canal to measure the pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be measured. A small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent for testing to determine if there is an infection or other problems
Treatment
Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
- high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplant or peripheral stem cell transplantation
- biologic (immune) therapy
- surgery
- bone marrow transplantation
- blood transfusion
- medications
Contact us at 203-384-3904 or cancerresources@bpthosp.org.
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Sarcoma
Sarcomas at a Glance
Sarcomas are cancerous (malignant) tumors that develop in the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels or other connective or supportive tissue. Most occur in the extremities and in and around organs.
Diagnosis
If you have a symptom or a test result that suggests a sarcoma, your doctor may order additional tests or procedures, including:
- needle or surgical biopsy – a procedure performed to remove tissue, cells or fluid from the body for examination
- x-rays
- CT or CAT scan – imaging that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images
- ultrasound/sonography – an imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs
- MRI – a diagnostic procedure that uses large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body
- positron emission tomography (PET) – a procedure that uses a tiny amount of a radioactive substance to examine tissue and evaluate its metabolism
Treatment
Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy
- surgery
- medication
Contact us at 203-384-3904 or cancerresources@bpthosp.org.
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Skin Cancer / Melanoma
Skin Cancer at a Glance
Melanoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor that develops in the cells which produce the pigment that colors our skin, hair and eyes. Melanomas are usually black or brown, but can also be pink, red, purple, blue or white.
Non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell and squamous cell cancers. They rarely spread elsewhere in the body and are treated differently than melanoma.
Diagnosis
Upon examination, a skin sample will probably be examined by a biopsy. Skin biopsies involve removing a sample of skin for examination under the microscope to determine if melanoma is present. The biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. The patient usually just feels a small needle stick and slight burning for about one minute, with a little pressure, but no pain.
Treatment
Our expert physicians provide a range of advanced, multidisciplinary healing therapies using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- surgery:
- cryosurgery - freezing the tumor, which kills cancer cells
- electrodesiccation and curettage - using an electric current to dehydrate the lesion and removing it with a sharp instrument
- laser therapy - using a narrow beam of light to remove cancer cells
- Mohs micrographic surgery - removing the cancer and as little normal tissue as possible
- simple excision - cutting the cancer from the skin along with some of the healthy tissue around it
- grafting – using a skin graft to replace skin that is damaged when cancer is removed
- external radiation (external beam therapy) - sending high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells
- electrochemotherapy – using a combination of chemotherapy and electrical pulses to treat cancer
- chemotherapy
- biological therapy (also called biological response modifier (BRM) therapy, immunotherapy, or immunotherapy) - using materials made by your own body, or made in a laboratory, to boost, direct, or restore your body's natural defenses against disease
- photodynamic therapy (PDT) – a type of laser treatment that involves injecting photosensitizing chemicals into the bloodstream
Contact us at 203-384-3904 or cancerresources@bpthosp.org.
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