Treatment Choices

Christine Knight's family has always joked she was born with a needle in her hand. Like many busy wives and mothers, her hobby came second to her life. That changed when she was diagnosed with melanoma.

Communication with the patient and family is at the heart of the relationship between the patient, her family or friends, and the doctor. Nothing supplants the bond that forms when the patient knows her doctor is watching out for her health and for her life. As a doctor, you must convey that commitment with words and actions forever.

Patients who receive radiation therapy understand that the process often comes with anxiety. In order to reduce some of this anxiety, the Department of Radiation Oncology formed a Patient and Family Centered Care (PFCC) committee. The goal of the group is to offer patients and families the opportunity to reflect on their treatment and recommend potential ways to improve the experience for others.

It's only natural when you hear the word cancer to want to spring into action to get rid of it. It's also natural to think about people you know who've had cancer and the decisions they made to treat it. You're afraid. You have families and friends to think about. You need to decide on your treatment . . . but not so fast.

Rogel Cancer Center experts meet to discuss patient cases and come up with innovative treatment options that could save lives. The U-M experts who are in attendance discuss each patient's health situation.

When other hospitals run out of treatment options, experts in the U-M tumor boards are searching for solutions. Here is just one example of how a tumor board reached beyond "standard care" to offer hope to two brothers.

Chances are, the treatment plan for your cancer was determined by the results presented on a pathology report. Before your diagnosis, you probably had a biopsy or surgery where a doctor removed cells or tissue for study under a microscope. What you need to know about the report that explains how your cancer looks under the microscope

Learning to navigate your cancer care can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a medical background or prior experiences as a patient. The Rogel Cancer Center is built on a foundation of comprehensive, integrated and interdisciplinary care. What does this mean and, more importantly, who are these caregivers? Here's a look at some of the many members of the team engaged in your care.

Sometimes when you're going through treatment for cancer, it's difficult to consume enough food and fluids to get the energy your body needs. Most cancer patients maintain their weight by eating smart and adding a nutritional supplement, like Boost or Ensure. But if you're rapidly losing weight and having significant problems with appetite, nausea and swallowing, that's when it's time to consider talking with your physician about tube feeding.