David C. Pratt Cancer Center

Special Designations

• Accredited with commendation as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
  
• One of only 50 sites in the country to be funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as the St. Louis Community Clinical Oncology Program, which gives patients access to the latest clinical trials in cooperative research groups.
  
• Member of the St. Louis-Cape Girardeau Community Clinical Oncology Research Program (CCOP), a consortium of six institutions in Missouri and Illinois.

Accomplishments

• Only institution in the St. Louis area participating in the University of Chicago Phase II Consortium, which offers investigational novel agents to patients in the Midwest and optimizes patient access and cross-referral throughout the region.
  
• Extensive clinical research program enables us to participate in the latest NCI-sponsored and pharmaceutical clinical trials. Some studies currently under way relate to:
• Side effects: Medicines to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by minimizing bone pain, anemia and nausea.
• Lymphoma: Antibodies that target cancer cells, leaving healthy tissues alone.
• Bladder cancer: A novel chemotherapy regimen to prevent recurrence.
• Prostate, kidney and lung cancer: Targeted therapies that not only can cut off the blood supply to tumors, but also block their ability to grow.
• Breast cancer: the national STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifine) Breast Cancer Prevention Trial.
  
• Investment in new technologies to help detect, stage and treat cancers more effectively:
• New 64-slice CT and stereotactic surgery services coming in 2007.
• TomoTherapy – in September 2006, began offering an advanced radiation treatment system that delivers targeted therapy and reduces radiation to surrounding healthy tissues.
• High dose rate brachytherapy (HDRB), a computer-guided therapy that delivers a single radioactive source to different sites around the tumor.
• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for prostate surgery and hysterectomies.
• Digital mammography, which has proven more accurate for women under 50.
• Mammosite Partial Breast Irradiation, which can reduce radiation treatments from six weeks to five days.
• The en-bloc® biopsy system (first of its kind in St. Louis), which enables the retrieval of one intact piece of breast tissue through a small incision and produces specimens that offer additional diagnostic information.
  
• Breast Health Navigator Program – Patients with abnormal mammograms or breast ultrasounds have access to a new resource at St. John's Mercy called the breast health navigator program. These patients are assigned a “nurse navigator” to educate and support them throughout their breast care. This nurse helps the patient to navigate the next steps in their care, such as diagnostic and treatment options, referrals to surgeons and oncology specialists, insurance issues, time frames for test results, education and emotional support.
  
• Education and support programs – A variety of educational and support services are offered at no cost to patients:
  • The John F. Krey III Cancer Information Center offers free educational materials, counseling with oncology-certified nurses, free screenings and other resources
• Cancer risk assessment and genetics testing
• Nutritional counseling
• Supportive therapies, such as lymphedema therapy and massage
• Spiritual support and pastoral services
• Social work services
• Monthly support groups, wellness classes and special programs for cancer patients.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, the David C.Pratt Cancer Center offers help and hope. Simply call our Cancer Answer Line at 314-251-6400 or 1-877-569-6400.