CCC offers consultation and treatment for the care of benign and malignant brain tumors. The multidisciplinary team includes medical, surgical, radiation oncologists, physicists and radiation therapists. Some of the latest medical advances, research and technology include: pre-irradiation chemotherapy, experimental chemotherapy with and without bone marrow/stem cell transplantation, and Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

As part of a comprehensive approach to cancer care, the Comprehensive Cancer Center features The Desert Comprehensive Breast Center, a full-service breast health facility. The Center offers low-dose screening and diagnostic mammography, clinical breast examinations, instruction in breast self-exam, breast cancer risk assessment and counseling, and the Navigator support group for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Through the Pretreatment Planning Conference and Second Opinion Service, the Breast Center provides consultation to a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation and hormonal therapy are among the treatment options offered. Patients can be seen for consultation or ongoing care. The physicians also participate in national research trials and where medically appropriate, may offer patients the opportunity to enroll in studies looking at promising new therapies.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer seen at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Desert Comprehensive Breast Center, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2007, is located on the first floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and offers breast cancer screening and three surgical oncologists on staff. Among the services available are: low-dose screening and diagnostic mammography, a high risk monitoring service, clinical breast examinations and instruction in breast self-examination.

• Three Hologic Digital Mammography units
• Ultrasound Somo Vu by U Systems - a multi-slice ultrasound for advanced image processing. This technology can be especially effective in women with dense breasts or implants.
• Breast MRI, CT and Dexa Bone Density testing

Procedures include Stereotactic core biopsy, ultrasound guided core biopsy, ultrasound guided cyst aspiration, fine needle aspiration, galactography, lymphoscintigraphy and needle localizations.

Laura Lee, M.D. joined The Desert Comprehensive Breast Center as Medical Director in 2006. A specialist in breast surgery and general surgery, she is part of the multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in breast imaging, radiology, pathology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery. She also directs the weekly multidisciplinary pre-treatment planning conferences to discuss treatment options for patients. Click here to learn more about Dr. Lee.

The Breast Center offers emotional support through the Navigator Program. The program, supervised by a Registered Nurse and licensed clinical social worker, pairs a newly diagnosed patient with a trained breast cancer survivor who has undergone a similar diagnosis or treatment plan.

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The Gastrointestinal Cancer program features a specialist in Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Malignancies who treats cancers of the colon, esophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas and rectum. Patients are seen for consultation or ongoing cancer care. The program offers a variety of treatment options which include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Lawrence Leichman, M.D., F.A.C.P. heads up the Gastrointestinal Malignancies program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. A nationally-recognized expert in the field, Dr. Leichman also is the Medical Director of Aptium Oncology GI Cancer Consortium and the National Program Director, Gastrointestinal Malignancies, for Aptium Oncology, parent corporation of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Click here to learn more about Dr. Leichman.

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The Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a full-time program for gynecologic oncology and women's cancer services. A board-certified gynecologic oncologist is available for consultation on cancer of a woman's reproductive organs including the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries. Services include screening, diagnosis, pre-treatment planning, treatment and follow-up care. Various aspects of care are provided, including, where necessary, chemotherapy, surgery and coordination of radiation therapy.

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The Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of patients with lung cancer. The team uses some of the latest medical advances and research utilizing chemotherapy, gene therapy, three dimensional radiation therapy and thoracic surgery. Patients are seen for consultation or ongoing cancer care. The program includes monthly pretreatment planning conferences for the team to present cases and discuss treatment options.

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The Comprehensive Cancer Center has a hematologist/oncologist who sees patients with cancers of the blood including lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Patients are seen for consultation or ongoing cancer care. Treatment options include chemotherapy, gene therapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The oncologist who specializes in blood cancers is Elber Camacho, M.D.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Camacho.

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The Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a multidisciplinary team approach to the surgical and medical treatment of melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Patients are seen for consultation or ongoing cancer care. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

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The Comprehensive Cancer Center utilizes some of the latest medical advances, research and technology in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of patients with prostate cancer. Treatment options include hormonal therapy, radiation therapy (both high dose and low dose), surgery and chemotherapy. Specialized teams address the preservation or restoration of sexual potency, improved muscle strength and endurance for better bladder control, osteoporosis reversal and management of bone pain. Patients can be seen for consultation or ongoing cancer care.

Dr. Murthy V.S. Andavolu joined the Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2009 as director of the Prostate Cancer Program. Dr. Andavolu is a board certified hematologist and medical oncologist. He has more than 10 years' experience and has been in private practice locally since 1999. His special areas of expertise and interest are blood disorders, prostate cancer and genito-urinary cancer. Dr. Andavolu completed fellowships in hematology and oncology at Los Angeles County - University of Southern California Medical Center. He earned his medical degree at Osmania University in India. He was chief resident at Queens Hospital Center affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York. He also has a Masters in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Andavolu.

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The multidisciplinary team at the Comprehensive Cancer Center offers comprehensive treatment plans for patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Pre-operative chemotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and in certain circumstances, bone marrow/stem cell transplantation are used to help treat sarcomas.

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