Bringing Advanced Cancer Care to Erie
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania and one of only 57 in the country. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’ s national network includes locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.
One of those locations is in Erie. And because it’ s part of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’ s network, Erie-area residents can expect the same care, expertise, and cutting-edge treatments that every other UPMC Hillman Cancer Center location provides.
NCI Designation: What Does It Mean?
Designation by the National Cancer Institute( NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrates excellence in cancer research, patient care, education, and community outreach.
“ As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, patients can be assured that UPMC Hillman has a track record of improving patient outcomes with respect to cancer diagnosis. It opens doors for patients to clinical trials they might not otherwise have access to,” says David Seastone, DO, PhD, medical oncologist with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie.
Phillip Zentner, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie, says it’ s not just the designation that’ s important— it’ s what happens behind the scenes to make the designation possible.
“ There is a tremendous amount of teamwork involved to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, so we can function at a very high level. We put in a lot of time and effort to set a high bar so we can offer services like clinical trials and do it well,” says Dr. Zentner.
Research and Clinical Trials
Clinical trials and research lead to more advanced cancer treatments and benefit both researchers and patients. Past clinical trials have contributed to cancer therapies being used today. Also, patients who participate in clinical trials may have access to the latest treatments.
“ Patients who participate in clinical trials are giving themselves the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research and, potentially, treatments that will be the standard of care in the future,” says James Ohr, DO, medical oncologist with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie.