Cornea & Laser Eye InstituteThoracic OncologyBloodless Medicine
Complementary MedicinePremier Services Award
Bladder CancerColon CancerCancer Center
Urinary IncontinenceCurrent Questions - Other Questions
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Cornea and Laser Eye Institute |
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| Peter Hersh, M.D., Director of Cornea and Laser Eye Institute, Hackensack University Medical Center |
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| I am considering laser eye surgery but someone told me there are new techniques being developed. Should I wait? For most patients, current LASIK treatments for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are very successful and will likely remain the standard for some time to come. However, for some people, especially for patients with unusual visual problems, new innovations can help guide diagnosis and uncover patients who may not be good candidates for laser surgery. Indeed, some patients who are not candidates for LASIK, may now be treated more safely with other techniques. At Hackensack University Medical Center’s Cornea and Laser Eye Institute, which has been among the nation’s leaders in research in the field of optical analysis in laser vision correction, we are now using new diagnostic computer techniques to give us even more precise maps of a patient’s eye. This new type of optical analysis (known as wavefront) is based on the kind of work astronomers do to better focus distant images through a telescope. Such an analysis can help diagnose a patient’s specific visual problem and, importantly, guide the selection of a procedure best suited to your individual needs. The Institute’s ongoing research and quality assurance programs keep us atthe forefront of clinical knowledge and new technology innovations. Asalways, our goal is to obtain the best possible visual outcomes for ourpatients in the safest possible way. Thus, patients needs are matched to anindividually tailored treatment selected from a full cadre of technologies,including the new LADARVision scanning laser and other state-of-the-artinstrumentation. Today’s treatments are safe and reliable for most problems. New treatmentsand technologies will be able to help even more people in the future. For more information, please contact the Cornea Laser Eye Institute at (201)883-0505. |
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Thoracic Oncology Division |
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| Harry Harper, M.D., Chief of Thoracic Oncology, The Cancer Center at HUMC |
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| The Cancer Center recently established a comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Division to fight lung cancer, the “number one” cancer killer in the nation. Tell us about some of the services. We have combined the expertise of lung cancer specialists, advanced technology, and preventive capabilities to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic, treatment, support, and preventive services. Some of these include minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery, which is only available at a few hospitals in the state; intensity modulated radiation therapy, which precisely pinpoints the tumor and spares surrounding tissue; and innovative interventional procedures such as laser bronchoscopy and photodynamic therapy, which uses a photosensitizing drug activated by light to destroy cancer cells. Our services are enhanced by the skills of Chief of Thoracic Surgery Donald P. Jones, M.D., who focuses on patients with thoracic problems only. He does not divide his time between cardiac and thoracic surgery, as most cardiothoracic surgeons do. Why is it crucial to have every element of lung cancer care integrated into one division? Lung cancer can be very complex to treat. Our Thoracic Oncology Division features a team of medical, research, nursing, and supportive staff with specialized expertise in lung cancer. At The Cancer Center we are dedicated to detecting lung cancer early, when it is most treatable. Advanced technology– such as helical spiral CT scanning and PET scanning–enables us to find lung cancers that can't be seen on standard chest X-rays, CT scans, or MRI studies. Once diagnosed, we can treat lung cancer with a full arsenal of methods, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, interventional procedures, and innovative methods under investigation in our clinical trials. What can be done to prevent future lung cancer deaths? Because 87 percent of all lung cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to smoking, one of the most important things physicians can do is to encourage patients to stop. At the medical center's Breath and Lung Institute, we offer smoking cessation programs, lung rehabilitation exercises, and screenings for patients at risk for developing lung cancer. These include people who smoke or have smoked in their lifetimes, those who have been exposed to radon, or those who have worked with cancer-causing substances. For information about lung care services, call The Cancer Center at 201-996-5800. |
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Bloodless Medicine |
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| Elizabeth Crum, MSN, RN, CCRN , Coordinator The Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery |
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| What is the bloodless medicine and surgery option? The bloodless medicine and surgery option provides treatment alternatives without the administration of blood or blood-related products to those who refuse blood transfusions for religious or other reasons. In this type of treatment, management of medical conditions spanning the range from simple elective procedures to complex surgeries such as coronary bypass, neurosurgery, liver resection, or cancer surgery are accomplished without the use of stored blood products.
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Complementary or Integrative Medicine |
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| Fred Hirschenfang, M.D., Section Chief of Pediatric Ambulatory Service, Medical Director of the JUDY Center, Medical Director of Pediatric Complementary Medicine |
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| Are complementary or integrative medicine methods appropriate for children? Complementary, alternative, or integrative medicine draws on all therapeutic systems to form a comprehensive approach to the art and science of medicine. The use of complementary or integrative medicine for adults in the United States is well recognized. It is not a surprise that parents who enjoy and use alternative methods of healthcare want similar care for their children. It is also not surprising that any chronic medical condition affecting the child, whether acquired or genetic, will prompt parents to seek alternative methods of healing when no quick cure or remedy is in sight. To this end, many pediatric centers in the U.S. have established departments to further this art and science. Under the guidance of The Center for Health and Healing, Hackensack University Medical Center and The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital became the first in New Jersey to become affiliated with Planetree. This non-profit organization is dedicated to humanizing and personalizing the healthcare experience for patients, families, and health providers. There are certainly positive results that can be obtained safely from the use of integrative methods. Infant colic, for example, can be helped with infant massage, chamomile tea, warm baths, gentle vibrations, and relaxation techniques for the parents. Sleep problems can be addressed with lemon balm or chamomile tea, lavender oil on the sheets or bedclothes, or a little sucrose or warm milk before bedtime. Integrative medicine can also be successful in asthma, attention deficit disorder, headaches, abdominal pain, arthritis and many other conditions. Relaxation and breathing techniques, yoga, hypnosis, positive affirmations, herbs and supplements, massage, aroma therapy, acupressure and acupuncture, bio-feedback, prayer and spirituality, meditation, exercise regimens, and dietary changes– to name a few–can be helpful in treating children. Parents, however, must be wary of many claims that have no scientific merit and are not based on good evidenced-based medicine. Each year in the U.S. there are poisonings from herbal medicines and from large doses of supplements and vitamins. Complementary techniques can also be dangerous when they delay lifesaving, proven, conventional therapy for serious conditions such as cancer or asthma. For more information, please call The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at (201) 996-5454. |
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The Premier Services Award |
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| Nancy R. Corcoran Senior Vice President Human Resources and Service Quality |
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| What is the Premier Services Award? The Premier Patient Services Innovator Award recognizes hospitals for the services they provide patients beyond basic amenities, hospitality and medical services. Hackensack University Medical Center received the top award for overall excellence in patient services during the Fourth Annual Conference on Premier and Guest Services, which took place recently in Boston. The medical center’s award recognized several patient-satisfaction initiatives, including on-site spa services and designer hospital gowns, an employee recognition program that rewards some 23 quality standards of behavior, and a consumer advisory council that meets quarterly to exchange ideas for further improvement. Beyond Spa is our full-service facility for patients, employees, and the community. It includes both a “Spa Within,” that offers bedside services such as manicures, facials, hairdressing or shaves, and a “full service day spa” with a medical component that provides, in addition to traditional spa services, medically related services such as pregnancy massage, post-surgical massage to outpatients, ambulatory patients, employees and the community.In an effort to make hospital garb interesting, we enlisted famed designer Nicole Miller to design our patient hospital gowns. It was gratifying to be recognized by our peers in the patient services field for these initiatives and an encouragement to continue to look for more ways to make our patients’ stays with us more pleasant. Other facilities receiving awards were the Cleveland Clinic and Methodist Hospital in Houston; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women and Children, part of Orlando Regional Healthcare System in Florida; Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver; McLean Hospital; the Regent-Sarah Newman Center in Mamaroneck, NY; Massachusetts General Hospital; and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The awards were presented by the Premier Patient Services Society; Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers of Premier Hospital Service Report, the leading publication in the field; and the Conference, which was organized by Bioconferences International, Inc. |
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Bladder Cancer |
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| Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., Chairman, Department of Urology |
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| What is the most common form of bladder cancer and how can it be diagnosed and treated? Transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder account for more than 90 percent of all bladder cancers. With early detection, the five-year survival rate is around 90 percent, however, if the cancer metastasizes to other areas, fewer than one in ten patients survive five or more years. Smokers are more likely to develop bladder cancer as nonsmokers, with the link especially strong among men. Others at risk include those living in highly industrialized areas and workers exposed to certain chemicals, including those used in dye manufacturing and in the rubber, metal, textile, and leather industries. Signs of bladder cancer may include blood in the urine (hematuria) and irritative urination, but these are not definitive signs. In late stage bladder cancer, pain may be felt in the lower back and in the bones, and bowel problems, loss of appetite, and weight loss may also be present. The first step in the process of treating bladder cancer is diagnosing its presence, and that begins with a complete medical history followed by diagnostic tests. Urinalysis, a simple technique, allows the analysis of the physical and chemical properties of a sample of urine, including microscopic amounts of blood. Radiologic imaging with IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram), Ultrasound as well as CT scans can also be utilized to locate tumors and other sources of bleeding. A Cystoscope, a small slender tube, which is fitted with a lens and a light can be inserted into the bladder to examine the inner surface. Only a biopsy can tell for sure whether cancer is present. This involves the removal and microscopic examination of suspicious looking areas from the bladder during a cystoscopy. After the disease is diagnosed, it is important to determine the stage of the cancer, by determining the extent of the tumor and planning the right treatment. Surgery, alone or combined with other therapies, is used to treat more than 90 percent of bladder cancer patients. Radiation and chemotherapy can increase the chances for a cure, help control metastasized disease, and prevent the disease from recurring, but are usually not used as the main or only treatment. Intravesical chemotherapy involves chemical treatments that are instilled into the bladder and are most commonly used for patients who are at high risk for recurrences. Providing the best care for the patient means not only treating the cancer, but easing the side effects and all the physical and emotional strains. This calls for a teamwork approach between the surgeon, the doctors who will plan radiation and chemotherapy, the pharmacists, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare workers. For more information, please call the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center at (201) 336-8090. Back To Top |
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Colon Cancer |
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| Charles Riccobono, M.D., Internal Medicine/ Gastroenterology |
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| Who is at risk for colon cancer? There are several factors that may cause you to be at a moderate to high risk of developing colon cancer. These include: • Your age: About 90 percent of all colon cancer cases occur in people older than age 50. • Your lifestyle: Eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet, being overweight, smoking, and having an inactive lifestyle can increase your risk. • Personal or family history of colon cancer or non-cancerous polyps. • Certain hereditary conditions, such as the tendency to have many colon polyps. Why is it so important to get a colonoscopy? Although it is the second most deadly form of cancer, colon cancer is also one of the most preventable. A colonoscopy – a simple procedure recommended by the American Cancer Society for anyone 50 or older - can detect and remove colon polyps, which are precancerous growths, years before they become cancerous. Where can I get screened? The Colon Cancer Prevention Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is dedicated to the early detection of colon cancer, giving patients the best chance for a cure. A division of the medical center’s Endoscopy Services, the center uses the latest, state-of-the-art endoscopic technology and offers a comprehensive range of colon cancer screenings, all under one roof in a safe and therapeutic environment. In addition to screenings, patients receive an assessment of their risk for developing colon cancer based on an analysis of their family and personal histories, diet, and lifestyle. For those at high risk, lifestyle and dietary recommendations are offered. Patients with a family history of the disease have immediate access to experts in genetic counseling. For more information please call Hackensack University Medical Center’s Colon Cancer Prevention Center at (201) 996-CCPC (2272). |
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The Cancer Center |
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| Andrew L. Pecora, M.D. F.A.C.P., Chairman and Director, The Cancer Center |
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| You oversee one of the nation’s largest cancer centers. What should a patient look for in a cancer center? First and foremost is the quality of the program. The Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center has all of the components of a world-class cancer program, delivered by some of today’s most renowned physicians. And since we are one of the nation’s largest healthcare institutions, we are able to invest heavily in state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, advanced treatment therapies, and the complete range of support services that a patient might need. We are also New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-funded community oncology program, one of only 50 in the nation. Secondly, in cancer care, experience equals success and success equals size. If you are on the cutting edge, as is our center, then you will naturally grow into a significant program to accommodate the increased numbers of patients who come to you seeking effective care. The Cancer Center is among the nation’s 10 largest programs. We not only excel in providing traditional treatments for cancer but innovative ones as well, such as stem cell transplantation. Our stem cell transplantation program is the eighth largest in the United States. Thirdly, focus. Gone are the days when any oncologist could treat any cancer. Today’s advances demand that there are dedicated specialists who are in step with the latest developments. Our specialized cancer teams do just that.
Hackensack University Medical Center is an academic medical center. Why is that important for cancer patients? |
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Urinary Incontinence |
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| Andrew L. Siegel, M.D., Director, The Continence Center |
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| What is urinary incontinence and can it be treated? Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is a condition in which there is involuntary leakage of urine. It affects both sexes and all ages. It is estimated that 15 to 30 percent of people over 60 years of age suffer from this condition, with women twice as likely to be affected as men. Urinary incontinence can be treated in 85 to 90 percent of all cases and the number of treatment options is growing. There are many different underlying causes. Contributing factors include pregnancy and menopause, and the condition may result from certain surgical procedures or it can be a side-effect of some medications. There are many types of urinary incontinence, with Stress Urinary Incontinence being the most common. This appears as a spurt-like leakage of urine that occurs as a result of activities that increase abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, exercising, and changing positions. This is very common in young and middle-aged women and in some men following prostate surgery. Risk factors for women include multiple vaginal deliveries, aging, menopause, and hysterectomy. Urgency Incontinence is the most common type of incontinence in older individuals. It is characterized by a sudden, urgent desire to urinate and often results in involuntary wetting. Overflow Incontinence, common in men with enlargement of the prostate, occurs when the bladder fills beyond capacity, resulting in leakage in a drip-like fashion. This type can also affect men and women with conditions affecting the nerve supply to the bladder. Functional Incontinence results from infirmity or injury, when a person cannot get to the toilet when needed, and Mixed Urinary Incontinence is a condition in which more than one type of incontinence is present. Evaluation for urinary incontinence begins with a medical history and physical examination. Testing, which may include video-urodynamic evaluation, is completed if necessary to make a precise diagnosis. Depending on the underlying causes and diagnosis of the urinary incontinence, there are many methods of treatment. These generally fall into one of the following categories: behavioral therapy, medication, pelvic exercises, bio-feedback, minimally invasive surgical therapy, and supportive measures. For more information, call The Continence Center at Hackensack University Medical Center at (201) 996-2298. Back To Top |
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