Medical Oncology

Medical Oncology approaches the treatment of cancer with many different therapeutic interventions such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.  

Chemotherapy is the use of special medications to promote the destruction of cancer cells.   It is used for several purposes:

• To cure a specific cancer
• To control tumor growth when cure is not possible
• To shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy
• To relieve symptoms, such as pain

Hematology

Hematology is the study of blood, blood disorders and the blood-forming organs.  It includes problems with the red and white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and the blood clotting process. If you are diagnosed with a blood condition such as anemia, blood clots or a bleeding disorder, your primary care physician may refer you to one of our hematologists.

Infusion Services at PCC

The infusion center at PCC is designed with your comfort in mind.  We are staffed with highly trained, chemotherapy-certified oncology nurses who work closely with your physician in the management of chemotherapy treatments and the monitoring of your physical and emotional well-being.  Our world-class physicians have extensive experience in treating all types of cancer, you are in good hands at Pacific Cancer Care.

We also offer infusion services for non-chemotherapy treatments for chronic diseases such as anemia, crohn’s disease and osteoporosis, to name a few.

Prescription Refills

It is always best to anticipate your prescription refill needs and have any necessary prescriptions written during your scheduled office visit or treatment.

You can call us during regular business hours if you need a refill, and we make arrangements for you to pick up the prescription. Please give us as much notice as possible so we can provide you with the best possible service.

Dispensary

Lab Services

There is an onsite lab in our office which allows us to draw your blood and have your results electronically placed in your chart, usually before you see your doctor.  Most labs can be processed here at PCC, but occasionally, we will draw your blood here at our center and then send it out for processing. Your lab results can be found in your patient portal at www.carespaceportal.com

Chronic Care Management

Pacific Cancer Care offers a Chronic Care Management Program which is a critical component of care that contributes to better health and care of particularly vulnerable individuals with two or more chronic conditions expected to last 12 months or more. 

We work with the patient to develop a personalized care plan based on physical, mental, cognitive, psychosocial, functional, and environmental assessment, and an inventory of resources.  The end result is a comprehensive plan of care for all health issues, with particular focus on the chronic conditions being managed.  

We then have a Nurse Practitioner call the patient each month to follow up on their current status, changes in medication, hospitalizations, side effects, and other pertinent areas to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Ask your doctor or staff member if you are interested in this program.

Community Health Workers

PCC has integrated Community Health Workers into our team of dedicated staff members.  These CHW’s work to ensure efficient, personalized care for select patients from point of entry and throughout the care continuum from diagnosis through survivorship to assist patients who may need extra assistance throughout the process.  

Using standardized and special assessment tools to monitor patients’ backgrounds, social needs and care experience and reporting issues to the health care team as needed.

This program is intended to reach out to non-English speaking patients who may not understand all of the options available to them for their care and well-being.

PCC has partnered with Stanford University to provide this service for our patients.

Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Patients with Cancer

Healing Touch

Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing, heart-centered energy therapy that uses gentle, intentional touch that assists in balancing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Healing Touch assists in creating a coherent and balanced energy field, supporting one's inherent ability to heal.

Pacific Cancer Care offers a Healing Touch program to ALL of our cancer patients at no cost.

If you are interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment, please ask your doctor or one of our staff members to assist you.

Scalp Cooling

Scalp cooling is a simple treatment that can prevent hair loss caused by certain chemotherapy drugs.

The use of scalp cooling or ‘cold caps’ is proven to be an effective way of combatting chemotherapy-induced hair loss and can result in a high level of retention or completely preserve the hair. For patients, this means the opportunity to regain some control, maintain their privacy and encourage a positive attitude towards treatment.

Chemotherapy works by targeting all rapidly dividing cells in the body. Hair is the second fastest dividing cell, and this is the reason why many chemotherapy drugs cause alopecia. The hair follicles in the growth phase are attacked, resulting in hair loss approximately 2 weeks after the commencement of the chemotherapy treatment.

The damage that chemotherapy causes to the hair follicle can be alleviated by using scalp cooling, also known as the 'cold cap'. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy. This in turn reduces the blood flow to hair follicles which may prevent or minimize the hair loss.

Although successful scalp cooling depends on many factors, research and studies have shown that scalp cooling can be effective across a wide range of chemotherapy regimens.

Pacific Cancer Care uses the Paxman Scalp Cooling system.  Ask your doctor or one of our staff members if you are interested in the scalp cooling process.

For additional information on the Paxman system, click on the link below.
www.paxmanusa.com