Washington Cancer Institute at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.
The Washington Cancer Institute at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C., is a top cancer center in the region. The Cancer Institute’s patients have access to a world expert in peritoneal mesothelioma, Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, director of Surgical Oncology. He and his colleagues contribute their expertise, research results, and clinical trials to improve patient care in and around the city.
About the Washington Cancer Institute
Established in 1992, The Washington Cancer Institute is Washington D.C.’s largest cancer care provider. The facility treats more patients than any other in the city, seeing nearly 100,000 patients annually.
It is affiliated with the Washington Hospital Center, a non-profit, private hospital center part of Medstar Health. This large hospital treats more than 400,000 patients per year. The Cancer Institute also receives thousands of referrals from other hospitals in the region.
Treating Mesothelioma
The Washington Cancer Institute is one of only a handful of facilities in the nation that can offer expert care for mesothelioma patients.[1] The Cancer Institute’s philosophy of treatment is multidisciplinary and patient-centered. A team of doctors works together to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
A typical treatment plan for a mesothelioma patient involves surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in some combination, as well as any targeted therapies or immunotherapies that may be helpful.
Mesothelioma patients also benefit from supportive care, which supplements medical and surgical treatments. The Cancer Institute is patient-focused, meaning the staff is dedicated to meeting the needs of every patient. Patients can coordinate with a nurse or social worker to receive supportive care for them and their families.
Patients with all types of mesothelioma receive expert care at the Washington Cancer Institute. It specializes in treating patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity. Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma spreads rapidly, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. Unlike many other cancers, it does not grow in just one or two large tumors; instead, it presents as multiple small growths, making surgical removal challenging.
Dr. Paul Sugarbaker and the Sugarbaker Procedure
The Washington Cancer Institute has become a center for peritoneal mesothelioma because of Dr. Sugarbaker. As director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Dr. Sugarbaker leads the team of oncologists and surgeons treating this rare cancer.[2]
Dr. Sugarbaker developed a treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma that has extended patient lives:[2]
- It begins with cytoreductive surgery to remove as much visible cancer from the abdominal cavity as possible.
- Surgery is followed by heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, the circulation of heated chemotherapy drugs directly through the abdominal cavity.
- This kills cancer cells the surgeon could not reach.
Innovative Radiation Therapy
The Washington Cancer Institute also specializes in radiation therapy, an important treatment element for many mesothelioma patients. Specialists in radiation oncology are staffed at the Institute, which also houses some of the most advanced equipment in radiation therapy.
Some technologies used here to treat mesothelioma include:
- Computerized treatment planning
- Brachytherapy
- Gamma knife radiosurgery
- Image-guided radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
The department may also use proton therapy, a state-of-the-art treatment that uses protons to target cancer cells better, sparing healthy tissue in the process.
The Cancer Preventorium
A unique program at the Washington Cancer Institute is the Cancer Preventorium. Established in 1994, the purpose of the Preventorium is prevention and early detection. The Preventorium offers several services, including an evaluation of cancer risks, individual counseling on risk reduction, early screenings, and education.
Research and Clinical Trials
The Washington Hospital Center is more than just a treatment center. It is also a center for education and research, which extends to the Cancer Institute. The staff is committed to patient-centered treatment and care as well as cancer research.
Clinical trials are a major part of the research conducted here. These trials utilize patients to determine the safety and efficacy of new treatments. Patients that come to the Washington Cancer Institute for care may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
As a leader in cancer treatment, including mesothelioma, the Washington Cancer Center draws patients from around the country. Patients with complex cases are often referred to the Institute for care and treatment. These patients benefit from the expertise of specialists, a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and research and clinical trials conducted here.
