Thoracic Tumor Clinic at HMC
Dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the lungs and chest.
The Thoracic Tumor Clinic at HMC brings together a specialized multi-disciplinary team to address and plan the diagnostic and treatment options of patients quickly and thoroughly. The aim is to not only provide a comprehensive assessment but to also reduce by weeks the time often needed by patients and their primary care doctors trying to juggle and arrange multiple appointments. Each patient will meet with a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and surgeon on the same afternoon and confer with them together to develop a care plan.
THE WHY:
For patients, "time is of the essence." The sooner cancer is diagnosed and a treatment plan initiated, the better the outcome. By working with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists, the patient is assured of an optimal treatment plan that can involve one or multiple treatment modalities. Specialists working together on the patient’s behalf are able to not only pool their expertise, but also facilitate the coordination of care. All of this is done with the approval and input of the patient’s personal (primary care) physician.
THE WHO:
A team of experts committed to providing the best of services and outcomes for their patients. The "core" includes a board-certified medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and thoracic surgeon.
Pictured: (clockwise from top left: Paul Ross, NP, MA, MSN (Cancer program administrator), Paul DeMare, MD (radiation oncologist), Henry Louie, MD, FACS (surgeon), M. Paul Palalay, MD (HMC Oncology Medical Director, medical oncologist), J.D. Lee, MD (HMC College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Liaison Officer, surgeon), Tusi Toomata-Mayer, RN (Nurse coordinator), Wilma Pascua, COS (Intake scheduler, outreach specialist). Affiliates also include Laeton Pang, MD, MPH, Vincent Brown, MD (both radiation oncologists) and Clayton Chong, MD (medical oncologist).
To facilitate an accurate diagnosis, other specialists may join the Team, including our board-certified radiologists and pathologists. They, too, are committed to providing efficient and timely services without sacrificing accuracy or a thorough assessment.
Physicians in this group include Lansdale Lau, MD (Radiologist and Medical Director, HMC Radiology) and Steven Komura, MD (Pathologist and Medical Director, Clinical Labs Pathology).
THE WHAT:
Once referred by his/her personal physician, the patient is given a prompt appointment at the Thoracic Tumor Clinic. In one afternoon, the patient will meet with the Team to start formulating a plan of action that may include additional diagnostic tests and/or an optimal course of treatment. To make the most of this visit, our staff, headed by our Nurse Coordinator, works with the patient and staff of the primary care physician to ensure that all medical information (including preliminary tests) is ready and assembled for review. If the team indicates that additional diagnostic procedures are necessary (for example, MRI, bone scan, CT scan, needle biopsy, ultrasound, and/or bronchoscopy), these, too, can be completed at Hawaii Medical Center. Our Coordinator will help the patient navigate through this process and assure that this additional "work-up" is carried out without delay.
"Clinic Day"
Once the necessary tests have been completed, the team will meet with the patient individually and then convene to make recommendations for appropriate treatment. These treatments may include consideration of the latest in national clinical research protocols and the most current medical and surgical therapy. The patient will then reconvene with the team to decide together how to best proceed. By the time they leave the clinic, patients should be "armed" with an optimal course of treatment approved by their personal (primary care) physicians and that can then be initiated without further delay. Throughout this process, patients are treated with dignity by a professional and caring team committed to excellence in healthcare delivery.
THE WHEN:
Patient Appointments & Clinic Hours:
To schedule an appointment, please call
Physicians will meet with patients at the Thoracic Tumor Clinic every Friday, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
THE WHERE:
2230 Liliha Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817
Main phone number: (808) 547-6011
Hawaii Medical Center - East
Mother-Marianne Building, Ground Floor
Cancer Screening & Education
Convenient validated parking
 |
