The physicians of Nebraska Hematology-Oncology and Urology, PC have announced a unique collaboration between Lincoln-area urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology specialties that will give patients the very best coordinated care in the region. The practices have developed a genitourinary (GU) oncology tumor conference to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary review of patients with cancers including prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, and other urologic malignancies. 

On a weekly basis, physicians from Urology, PC, Nebraska Hematology-Oncology, and NHO Radiation Oncology set aside time to foster peer-to-peer discussion about newly diagnosed cancer patients to review each individual's case and collaboratively devise potential treatment options and recommendations for each patient. This will provide greater convenience and more comprehensive care for Lincoln patients in just one visit.

“Cancer care has become tremendously complex in the last 15 to 20 years. It has required much more specialized care,” commented Dr. Tara Kirkpatrick, Urologist at Urology, PC. “The tumor conference benefits patients in many ways. One of the most important things that it does is give the patient many different recommendations from several different specialists without having to physically travel and see multiple different physicians. It also allows collaboration between multiple different specialties to find the best treatment that is individualized to a specific patient’s treatment plan.”

In addition, this conference will assist referring physicians who want to send their patients to the best, most comprehensive care teams around.

“This conference will benefit referring physicians in that they will have the comfort knowing that their patients have been reviewed by a larger group of physicians that are carefully considering all appropriate workup and treatment options,” said Dr. Phillp Hynes with NHO Radiation Oncology. “Collaboration amongst these specialties is very beneficial in directing patient care because it allows us to consider what staging studies or additional scans may benefit the patient. Different tumor markers, genetic counseling, all of that has an impact on treatment recommendations.”

This collaboration is already currently underway. More information about the GU Oncology Tumor Conference can be found at www.yourcancercare.com/gu-tumor-conference.