Our Multidisciplinary Thoracic and Upper Gastrointestinal Clinic
The Multidisciplinary Thoracic and Upper Gastrointestinal Clinic is for the newly diagnosed lung, esophagus, and gastro-esophageal (GE) junction cancer patient and family members. Patients are referred to the clinic by their physicians.
Location and Hours
It is held in the Medical Oncology Clinic and is a place to learn about the disease and choices for treatment. The clinic has a multidisciplinary team approach which helps them learn about lung and esophagus cancer and helps them make an informed decision about their treatment.
- Every Monday 1:30 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Purpose
Many of the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lung, esophageal, GE junction cancer require close collaboration between cancer specialists, having differing areas of expertise. The Kaiser Santa Clara Multidisciplinary Thoracic and Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Clinic brings these specialists together to evaluate each patient's case and then to meet individually with the patient to discuss treatment options. A plan that would normally take weeks to develop is completed in a single day and treatment can begin quickly.
During the Visit
While the patients are watching a video providing an overview of lung or upper gastro-intestinal cancer and its treatment options, the multidisciplinary team meets to discuss each case and determine the best treatment option. Then each specialist, surgeon and medical oncologist meets individually with the patient to explain the treatment choices and answer questions.
The patients are also given a packet of information detailing the information provided during the information video and other reference materials, as well as information regarding appropriate clinical trials.
Who is on the Multidisciplinary Team
- Thoracic Surgeon
- Medical Oncologist
- Radiation Oncologist
- Pathologist
- Radiologist
- Nuclear Medicine Specialist
- Pulmonologist
- Gastro-enterologist
Additional Clinical Resources
- Oncology Nurse Case Manager
- Radiation Oncology Nurse
- Clinical Trial Nurse
- Social Worker
- Nutritionist
- Health Education Center
Department Contact List
- Department of Radiology
- Department of Pulmonology
- Department of Thoracic Surgery
- Department of Radiation Oncology
- Department of Medical Oncology
- Department of Gastroenterology
- Department of Surgery
