Extended Medical Listings

Bringing State-of-the-Art Research to the Desert

By Erika Z. Byrd

The future is here at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center. At any given time, there are as many as 40 to 45 ongoing clinical trials offering patients today cancer treatments that may not be available to the general public for a while. Many of these clinical trials are provided in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute, major university centers, the pharmaceutical industry, or other recognized research groups; some trials are designed by Comprehensive Cancer Center physicians to meet specific needs of their patients.

The most recent trial was for Provenge, a new treatment for advanced prostate cancer, which involves taking, a patient’s own white blood cells, engineering them to fight cancer cells and infusing them back into the patient. Following FDA approval of Provenge in April, the Comprehensive Cancer Center was selected as one of approximately 50 sites in the nation (and the only site in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties) permitted to offer Provenge. Other recent trials have included drugs for colon cancer, lymphoma, and a study for treating post-menopausal women who have had breast tumors.

“Our goal is to provide the latest and most promising cancer therapies and treatments so that no valley resident ever feels they need to go elsewhere,” states Elber Camacho, M.D., Medical Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Access to leading-edge clinical trials is just one aspect of the multifaceted Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Center provides programs and services for the detection, diagnosis, treatment, support, and follow-up care for people with cancer. This multidisciplinary approach has been the hallmark of the Comprehensive Cancer Center for 20 years.

“When a person is first diagnosed with cancer, the decision on where to be treated is vital,” states Teresa Whipple, Vice President and Executive Director. “At the Comprehensive Cancer Center, everything is available to the patient under one roof: diagnostic and imaging services, treatment, (including radiation and chemotherapy), and surgery are all right on campus, along with a full menu of support services from dietitians to social workers and psychologists. There’s one electronic medical record for the patient, and our physicians collaborate to determine the best treatment plan.”

Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center
1180 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Ste. E218
Palm Springs, CA 92262
1-760-416-4800
www.DesertMedCtr.com