At the MemorialCare Cancer Institute, research is woven into our patients’ treatment plans– always looking at ways to continuously improve and bring new treatments and protocols to give our patients the best clinical outcome and experience. MemorialCare has an advanced research program where principal investigators, who are often physicians, lead these protocols and treatments, bringing the best clinical outcome and experience closer to Orange County residents.
Recently, we launched a Radiation Oncology Research Program that’s opened multiple research trials, helping reduce the treatment times for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer from weeks to just days and extending the lives of those with brain cancer.
We’ve also introduced a research trial to patients with prostate cancer that is improving their quality of life. Initially, the treatment plan for patients with prostate cancer was to receive radiation therapy every day for nine weeks. Now, with the use of stereotactic radiosurgery—an “invisible blade” of radiation to eliminate the need for incisions and reduce the discomfort and complications of invasive surgery—radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients has been reduced to just five days. Stereotactic radiosurgery precisely targets the tumor to receive the maximum amount of radiation while limiting the amount of radiation exposure to healthy nearby tissues.
Another recent research project we have opened is Tumor Treating Fields. This treatment is a type of therapy typically used for patients who are first diagnosed with brain cancer. What we are investigating is how this treatment can help patients whose brain cancer has metastasized. Our research shows patients are starting to survive longer with this type of therapy rather than standard therapy, which is a really exciting result. At the MemorialCare Cancer Institute, research is woven into our patients’ treatment plans– always looking at ways to continuously improve and bring new treatments and protocols to give our patients the best clinical outcome and experience. MemorialCare Cancer Institute Brings New Cancer Research Protocols to Orange County Residents.
Because of this, we have extended this treatment to patients with metastasized brain cancer. As we continue to work with patients with metastasized brain cancer and see positive results, this can change how brain cancer is treated.
What’s unique about MemorialCare is our comprehensive cancer programs—with leading research—without the institutional feel often found at large academic institutions. We make sure that each patient is cared for and supported, and focus on treating the “whole” you—where mental and physical well-being are blended into treatment. Our team looks at your nutrition, mobility, and comfort to ensure your experience is the best one possible.
With over 300 research trials open at one time, MemorialCare is moving clinical research into clinical realities for some of our sickest patients—and treating each of our patients as one of our own family members. MemorialCare provides cutting-edge care with compassion.