Cancer Treatment
Cancer Care Center at Meadville Medical Center
It's never easy to learn that you or a loved one has a serious illness.
And, learning that the illness is cancer is no exception. But we'd
like you to know that cancer patient success stories are becoming more
and more common. A comprehensive cancer care program, approved by the
American College of Surgeons, is available in Meadville with the latest
technology and physician specialists available. We have access to research
and the most up-to-date treatment protocols.
Meadville Medical Center (MMC) is a member of the Association for Community
Cancer Centers. We believe that cancer care is best delivered in a community
setting. MMC is committed to your total care and support. Our team of
healthcare professionals are experienced in counseling and educating patients,
helping them understand and cope with their illness and its treatment.
We encourage patients to participate as much as possible in their on-going care.
Learn more about our cancer treatment program at MMC:
A Team of Experts Who Care
Your care is coordinated by an interdisciplinary team of professionals
including your family physician, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists,
nurses, social workers and other support staff. Cancer care conferences
are held on a weekly basis as a formalized review and discussion of all
cancer patients. This is an opportunity for physicians to get input from
other physicians on the treatment of cancer patients. Our physicians specializing
in the care of cancer are board certified medical oncologists and board
certified radiation oncologists.
The cancer center employs oncologist, hematologists, radiation oncologists,
a physicist and a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:
- Registered nurses certified in oncology
- A clinical protocol nurse
- Certified medical dosimetrists
- Registered radiation therapists
- A tumor registrar
- Laboratory technicians
- A pharmacist
- Pharmacy technicians
The nursing staff working with cancer patients has extensive specialized
training. Registered nurses have been trained and are certified in the
administration of chemotherapy. In addition to providing the highest quality
medical care, the professional support staff is prepared to deal with
the physical, psychological and social consequences that may arise as
the result of cancer or its treatment.
Arrangements can be made through Meadville Medical Center to provide social
workers and pastoral care staff for individual counseling, emotional support
and information on available resources for cancer patients. Therapeutic
dietitians provide private consultation to assist with special nutritional
needs. Pharmacists, laboratory technicians and others are also available
to assist in providing the total care of our patients and their families.
Diagnostic Services
State-of-the-art diagnostic services such as computerized tomography (CT)
scanning and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning are available
on site to help detect cancer in its earliest stages and/or diagnose the
extent of the cancer.
The PET scanner is used primarily to:
- Determine the spread of cancer in lymph nodes or other organs
- Locate the primary source of cancer when it has already spread
- Evaluate the response to tumor treatment
The MMC Radiology Department provides magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs),
computerized nuclear medicine equipment, ultrasound and mammography. Another
asset to the department is access to the mammotome procedure. The mammotome
enhances a women's alternative for a chance of less invasive breast
biopsies. With the mammotome, breast biopsies are less invasive and most
patients may return to their regular routine post-procedure.
Meadville Medical Center and our physicians recognize the importance of
early detection in cancer care. To supplement your annual physical examination
we offer programs such as low cost mammography, periodic free screenings
for cancers such as prostate and skin and a special educational program
and / or material on many types of cancer.
Contact Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute
Our facility is located at:
16792 Conneaut Lake Road
Meadville, Pa 16335
(814) 373-2335
The Yolanda G. Barco Institute is open Monday through Friday from 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our facility is located on the right-hand side of Route
322 Conneaut Lake Road heading westbound toward Conneaut Lake. It is situated
off the road between the McDonald's and Red Lobster restaurants, across
from One Vernon Place. Parking is in the front of the building. As patients
enter the building, they will see the reception desk, which is immediately
to the left.