Our partnership with The University of Tennessee Medical Center unites our patients with the latest medical technology and techniques, such as the remarkable CyberKnife,® the truly non-invasive and painless cancer fighting tool.

Because we are located on a single campus with the latest treatment options in-house, our patients receive the strongest medicine to fight cancer all in one location. You don’t need to drive from location to location for tests or treatments.

Multi-disciplinary Services

Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday multi-disciplinary tumor conferences are held.

The Cancer Institute conferences are listed below:

• The Tumor Conference is held on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m. in the Morrison's Conference Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
  
• The Pulmonary Conference is held on Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. in the Cancer Institute Conference Room on the 4th floor of Building D.
  
• The Breast Conference is held on Fridays from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. in the in the Cancer Institute Conference Room on the 4th floor of Building D.

Breast Health Services

Breast Health Outreach - 544-9753
Created in 1996, the Cancer Institute’s Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP) delivers the message of breast health through education to women in rural counties of East Tennessee. The BHOP utilizes a unique approach by providing easy access to breast health education and screening mammography by reaching out to women where they work, live, worship, and gather.
 
Having reached over 10,000 women since its inception, the BHOP now delivers services to 25 rural counties. In 2005, funds obtained through the Tennessee Women’s Health Initiative and private donations enabled the Medical Center to purchase a new, state-of the-art mobile mammography unit.
 
University Breast Center – 544-9728
University Breast Center (UBC), an American Board of Radiology accredited facility, provides breast services from screening mammography to breast sentinel lymph node mapping. An all-female staff, including dedicated mammographers, provides compassionate care combined with state-of-the-art equipment. Digital mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic-guided biopsy, wire localization, and MRI breast imaging services are all available in one convenient location.

Breast Care Services - 544-6921
One of the Cancer Institute’s site-specific services–the Breast Care Service–was established in 2001 to coordinate and expedite care for women with breast help concerns or a known diagnosis of cancer by making ONE call to the nurse coordinator.

Patients who have findings that are indicative of cancer or could result in a cancer diagnosis will be scheduled for an appointment within 48 hours. The entire Breast Care Service team of experts meets weekly for the multi-disciplinary Breast Conference to evaluate each individual case and recommend appropriate treatment.

Additional Health Services

Chest Service - 544-6955
The Cancer Institute Chest Service provides specialty services for patients with suspected or known cancers of the lung and esophagus. The Chest Service nurse coordinator serves as a central contact available to the patients, their family and the physicians to ensure the coordination of the patient’s care. Our team of specialists meets weekly for the multi-disciplinary Pulmonary Conference to evaluate each individual case and recommend appropriate treatment. The Chest Service maintains a comprehensive database on all patients referred to the service thereby assuring the availability of comprehensive data for outcome reporting, abstracts, and professional research articles.
 
Genetic Service - 544-6485
The Cancer Institute Oncology Genetic Service was established in 2001 to provide genetic counseling for individuals who have concerns about their personal or family history of cancer. Counselors establish the family pedigree, verify diagnoses, provide education sessions, and offer testing for inheritable genetic mutations, if indicated. Based on the family history and test results, the multi-disciplinary team of genetic counselors, geneticists, and oncology specialists provides an individualized risk management program for the individual that includes recommendations for preventive measures, screening, and follow-up.

Chemotherapy Service
The Cancer Institute strives to meet the needs of our patients by providing chemotherapy and supportive services in a beautiful and comfortable setting. The Infusion Center, affectionately named the “Chemo Hut” by our patients, can accommodate working patients’ schedules, as well as care for patients’ urgent or unexpected needs. Our staff of experienced nurses and dedicated oncology pharmacists works with our physicians to deliver a high level of quality chemotherapy services and care. While in the “Chemo Hut,” patients are treated with warm blankets, beverages and snacks and have their own personal TV.

Clinical Trials - 544-9773
The Cancer Institute is able to combine research and patient care through the use of our clinical trials. Principle Investigators and study coordinators at the Cancer Institute are working to improve cancer treatments through our clinical trials. Our Principle Investigators serve as pioneers in nationwide cancer research and prestigious groups such as:

• National Surgical Breast and Bowel Project (NSAPB)
  
• Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
  
• American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
  
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

• Coping with illness and its stressors.
  
• Enhancing communication with the medical treatment team to enable patients and families to be active partners in their own healthcare.
  
• Accessing hospital and community resources.
  
• Facilitating a variety of support groups which can provide patients and families with a unique opportunity to gain support, share information, and learn how others cope with cancer.

Dietitian - 544-8099
Nutrition concerns, questions about diet, weight, and symptom management are common among our patients. Nutritional counseling is provided by our registered dietitian, who helps patients identify their individual dietary needs, make dietary recommendations, and answer general nutrition concerns. Comprehensive nutrition services are available to patients receiving treatment at the Cancer Institute. The Cancer Institute dietitian works one-on-one with the patients and family to provide suggestions for appropriate nutritional needs before, during, and after treatment.
 
Befitting You - 544-6468
Befitting You is specially designed to provide services and products for women who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy and/or women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Our boutique is staffed by certified prosthetic fitters and carries a wide selection of prostheses, garments, wigs, and skin care products.

Cancer Institute - 544-6055