Einstein’s Cancer Center Celebrates its Five-Year Anniversary
Philadelphia, PA, May 28, 2004 – The Cancer Center at Albert Einstein Medical Center has just celebrated its five-year anniversary. The celebration included
a week-long schedule of free patient support and educational activities.
The mission of Einstein’s Cancer Center is to provide high-quality patient care through a multi-specialty team approach to
treatment, conduct clinical cancer research, provide educational and support programs, and perform community service and cancer
screenings.
“There have been many accomplishments over the past five years,” says William Tester, MD, Director of the Cancer Center, located
on the first floor of the Levy Building, at Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia. “Our team tested
and demonstrated the effectiveness of numerous chemotherapy and other drugs, including those for women in the early stages
of breast cancer, patients with malignant mesothelioma, a disease for which there had been no effective therapy, patients
with advanced colon cancer, and for patients with lung and prostate cancer. During this time period, our team also demonstrated
the value of sentinel lymph node biopsy for many women with breast cancer, and developed combined radiotherapy-chemotherapy
protocols that resulted in excellent long-term outcomes for patients with bladder, head/neck, esophageal, rectal and lung
cancers,” Dr. Tester adds. “Another highlight is that our medical experts showed that a drug usually given by injection daily
for five days at the Cancer Center to treat advanced solid tumors, could also be given orally at home.”
During treatment and recovery, special services are available at Einstein’s Cancer Center such as emotional and nutritional
counseling, homecare, meal delivery, financial assistance and help in linking up with community resources.
Several support groups are run by the Center’s oncology social worker and clinical nurse specialists, including a general
patient/family support group and disease-specific support groups for breast, prostate, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma patients.
Additional services offered at the Cancer Center include a cancer rehabilitation program at MossRehab, which is part of Albert
Einstein Healthcare Network. These services may include physical, speech or occupational therapy, as well as complementary/alternative
approaches such as movement therapy, yoga or nutrition education. Einstein’s Pain Management Program offers patients a number
of pain-reducing treatment options.
Last August, Einstein’s Cancer Center received the Certificate of Approval from the Commission on Cancer of the American College
of Surgeons. The certificate recognizes the quality of Einstein’s comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to treating cancer.
Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer receive this special approval.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), MossRehab/Einstein at Elkins Park,
MossRehab at Tabor Road, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and
satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information,
call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
Publish date: May 28, 2004
