The University of Nebraska Medical Center, which is recognized nationally
and internationally for its expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of
leukemia and lymphoma, will host two conferences Nov. 14-16 on bone marrow
and stem cell transplantation.
The conferences, to be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Omaha,
will focus on advances made in cancer treatment, drugs, research and cancer
care.
On Nov. 14-15, a conference targeted toward physicians specializing
in cancer will address new and current treatments for various cancers,
special needs of patients with graft-versus-host disease — a common side
effect of transplantation — and the long-term effects of allogeneic stem
cell transplants. Allogeneic transplants are transplants that use bone
marrow from related and unrelated donors.
On Nov. 14-16, a conference targeted toward nurses, social workers,
pharmacists, insurance case managers and other health-care professionals
will address advances in transplant treatment; treatment complications;
the psychological and social effects of transplants on patients, families
and the health care team; survivorship and quality of life issues; and
care plans for patients and their families.
On Saturday, the program includes a panel of transplant survivors who
will discuss quality of life after transplantation. Survivors will include,
Richard Boxer, M.D., a Milwaukee urologist who received a transplant six
years ago for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and Rachel Riese, 20, of Roseland,
Neb., who received a transplant at age 11 for aplastic anemia, as well
as an Omaha man who in April had a second transplant for non-Hodgkins
lymphoma and a mother whose 11-month-old daughter had a transplant.
Cancer diagnosis, treatment and research has come a long way, said Phil
Bierman, M.D., UNMC/Nebraska Health System oncologist. Twenty years ago,
about a third of the patients who underwent certain autologous transplants
died from complications. Now it is rare, Dr. Bierman said.
We are always looking at ways to make transplants better and safer,
he said. The ultimate hope is that we can do better, not only in treatment
but in support of care and quality of life.
He said UNMC is involved in testing new drugs, new treatments that combine
chemotherapy with new antibodies to kill cancer cells, and treatment that
enhances the immune system before and after therapy. Cancer vaccines and
the use of antisense molecules also are being tested.
Speakers at the conference include UNMC faculty and those from around
the country and world. UNMC oncologist Anne Kessinger, M.D. will be the
keynote speaker for both conferences on Nov. 14. Recognized as the pioneer
of peripheral stem cell transplantation (also called stem cell transplantation),
Dr. Kessinger will reflect on the past and discuss the future of cancer
treatment, research and care.
UNMC/NHS is one of the busiest bone marrow and stem cell transplant
centers in the world. In addition to being on the leading edge of cancer
treatment and research, UNMC/NHS operates a world model for cancer care
in the Lied Transplant Center. The model, called cooperative care, pairs
patients and care partners (usually a family member or friend). Care partners
are educated to recognize potential problems in the patient during and
after treatment and perform simple medical tasks in support of health-care
professionals. The model is credited with faster recovery, greater patient
satisfaction and lower costs.