Services and Programs
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Our Services - Specialized Programs
Long-Term Cancer Survivors Program at Golisano Children's Hospital
at Strong
 |
|
Did You Know…
We have one of the country's
first-established Long-Term Survivor clinics. |
|
 |
The Long Term Survivors Program, established in 1987 within the
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Golisano Children's
Hospital at Strong, is one of the longest running clinics in the
United States. Patients are transferred to the Long Term Survivors Clinic when they have been disease free and off therapy for two years.
Currently, there are approximately 450 patients enrolled in the
clinic with an influx of about 30-40 new patients a year. Patients
are generally seen on a yearly basis. Exceptions include:
The goal of the program is to provide monitoring and counseling
regarding late effects of therapy. It is not designed to be a primary
care clinic, but to complement care delivered by primary care providers.
In addition to providing patient care and follow-up, the clinic
is an educational and advocacy resource for patients, families,
and other health care providers.
Our Specialists
Our team includes:
O.J. Sahler, M.D. is
the medical director responsible for overseeing the care delivered
and the functioning of the clinic.
Louis Constine, M.D. is the pediatric radiation oncologist who provides
medical direction and care for patients who have received radiation therapy.
Pediatric Psychosocial Team provides educational liaison services including periodic
education screening within the clinic and advocating for services
within schools and the community. Social worker and parent advocacy
are also available resources for patients and their families.
What to Expect
During a visit to the clinic, patients can expect:
Other periodic evaluations, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG),
echocardiogram (ECHO) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) may be ordered to monitor health status or to evaluate symptoms. Referrals to other subspecialists,
such as cardiologists and endocrinologists, are based on assessments made during the clinical visits
in coordination with the primary care physician.
Resources
A long term survivors’
handbook, Voyages: A Map to Survivorhood, was written in conjunction with CURE
Childhood Cancer Association, and is available to all clinic patients.
The handbook provides each survivor with an individual summary
of his/her clinical course including presentation, diagnosis, and
treatment summary, including any complications.
The handbook also provides information regarding a survivor's specific
diagnosis with individualized references to the treatment given
and the associated potential late effects. In addition, the handbook
provides general information regarding insurance and employment
issues and a comprehensive listing of local and national resources.
More Information
If you would like more information about the Long-Term Survivors
Clinic at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, contact
us at 585-275-2981.
Back to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Home
Page
