Chemotherapy Guidelines
View our Chemotherapy Guidelines booklet to learn answers to frequently asked questions, possible side effect tips, safety guidelines, questions to ask your provider and a list of resources. Download the booklet here.
Department of Pathology
The department of pathology is staffed by four fulltime veteran board-certified pathologists, including a board-certified hematopathologist with expertise in the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma. Each pathologist is dedicated to enhancing patient care by offering comprehensive diagnostic consultations on a wide variety of cancers using state-of-the-art ancillary testing such as immunohistochemical and molecular techniques. Exposure to the leading experts in the field is available through timely outside consultations in selected cases.
The pathologists are on-site in the hospital and always available to discuss a diagnosis with physicians. They play a vital role as key participants in the multidisciplinary tumor board conferences held weekly at St. Elizabeth. Specialists from many disciplines gather to discuss specific cases in the general tumor boards, breast cancer tumor boards, gynecologic cancer conferences, and neurological tumor boards.
Hereditary Cancer Program
St. Elizabeth Healthcare has the only comprehensive Hereditary Cancer Program in the tri-state with full-time genetic counselors dedicated to working with women and families at increased risk for hereditary cancers. We offer comprehensive genetic counseling, hereditary cancer risk assessment, and high-risk management for:
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2)
- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Cowden syndrome
- Li-fraumeni syndrome
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and other rare hereditary cancer syndromes
Genetic test results can be used to make specific screening and management recommendations. Management options are personalized to meet patient needs and healthy living goals. St. Elizabeth manages patients with the most advanced screening technologies, which includes breast MRI. Increased screening for breast and colon cancer in high-risk individuals saves lives.
- Do you have concerns about your family history of cancer?
- Were you diagnosed with breast, ovarian or colon cancer before the age of 50?
- Do you have family members who were diagnosed with breast, ovarian, colon or uterine cancer at a young age?
- Are there relatives in your mom’s or dad’s family who has had early-onset cancer or multiple cancers?
- Has anyone been told they have cancer more than once?
If you would like more information or you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact the genetic counselors of the Hereditary Cancer Program at (859) 301-5396.
Hospice Care
Hospice is considered to be the model for quality, compassionate care at end-of-life. Hospice care treats the person, not the disease, and emphasizes quality rather than length of life. St. Elizabeth offers Hospice care for individuals who are in the last phase of an incurable illness. By managing pain and other symptoms, patients can spend their last days in comfort and dignity. Hospice care can be provided in the home, assisted living community, or nursing home. St. Elizabeth also has a specialized 16-bed inpatient hospice center in Edgewood. The unit provides a home-like setting where care is focused on comfort and family members are welcome to visit 24 hours a day. Since pets are part of the family, pet visits are also permitted.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is an essentially painless treatment in which the patient breathes 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The treatment quickly delivers high concentrations of oxygen into the bloodstream which assists in the healing process of wounds and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. HBO also stimulates the growth of new blood vessels and improves circulation.
Imaging Department
The Imaging Department at St. Elizabeth Healthcare hosts sophisticated technology unrivaled in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. All images are captured and maintained electronically, which allows prompt review and interpretation from all disciplines including diagnostic radiology, special procedures, ultra-sound, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and PET imaging. St. Elizabeth is proud to offer a dedicated PET/CT unit which is especially useful in the diagnosis of cancer.
Physical Therapy
St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation Services offers physical therapy as a referral and consultation resource for patients with cancer. Physical therapy assists patients to reach an optimal level of well-being. Our services include pain management, range-of-motion therapy, progressive strengthening exercises and gait training. We also offer a pre-mastectomy program designed for patients prior to breast cancer surgery. Our licensed physical therapists and specialized staff are certified to treat lymphedema, which is swelling of the limbs that is sometimes seen in cancer patients. The physical therapists are available to work closely with you and your physician to assist you in reaching your goals.
Social Services
A diagnosis of cancer affects the whole person and family. Social workers are available through the St. Elizabeth cancer program to assist you and your family with a variety of services including supportive counseling, referral to ongoing counseling, coordination of transportation and medication resources, medical equipment arrangements, home health or hospice services, and nursing home placement assistance. Our social workers can also help you with forms for Medicaid, Social Security disability, and Supplemental Security Income.
Many drug companies have programs for un-insured and under-insured patients and the oncology social worker can help you determine if you qualify. Assistance with insurance is available through our PrimeWise program and financial counseling and assistance is available to you through our Med Assist program.
Speech Pathology
The Speech Pathology and Audiology Department offers a wide array of services for patients with speech and hearing problems. Services include voice restoration services following laryngectomy and diagnosis and treatment of swallowing difficulties due to disease or treatment. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is one of a limited number of local sites to provide patient fitting and training with tracheoesophageal prostheses. Additionally, the department offers communication/cognitive evaluations, hearing assessments and rehabilitation services. For more information, call (859) 301-5740.
St. Elizabeth Breast Centers
The St. Elizabeth Breast Centers offer state-of-the-art imaging and a wide array of dedicated medical professionals for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The Breast Center is on the forefront of early detection with the use of breast MRI and digital mammography at all St. Elizabeth mammography sites, including the mobile mammography van. Multidisciplinary weekly breast care conferences include surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, physical therapists, nurse navigators, and research nurses, who gather to determine the best optimal treatment plan for newly diagnosed cases.