Edward-Elmhurst program on treatment of late-stage abdominal cancers

Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare will host an oncology symposium, “Peritoneal Surface Malignancy – HIPEC Surgery for Life,” on Tuesday, October 6, 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Edward Education Center Auditorium, on the campus of Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St. in Naperville.

This first annual event is meant to educate physicians, nurses and the community about peritoneal surface malignancies, particularly cancer of the appendix and colon. A variety of experts will discuss prevalence, signs and symptoms, and explain the HIPEC procedure – Hyperthermic Intraoperative Peritoneal Chemotherapy.

HIPEC is a treatment that combines surgery with chemotherapy for certain tumors that originate in or spread to the abdominal cavity. Following surgery to remove visible cancer, a chemotherapy solution is delivered via catheter to the abdominal cavity where it is circulated for about 90 minutes to destroy any undetected tumor cells. This approach allows for chemotherapy to be delivered in a single, higher dose and with fewer side effects.

Speakers will include:

• Two patients who’ve been treated with HIPEC
• Paul H. Sugarbaker, MD, FACS, FRCS, surgical oncologist who pioneered the HIPEC procedure; Director, Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program, Washington (D.C.) Cancer Institute
• George Salti, MD, FACS, surgical oncologist; Co-Medical Director, Edward Cancer Center and Medical Director, Edward Hospital Surgical Oncology Program
• Alexander Hantel, MD, Co-Medical Director, Edward Cancer Center and medical oncologist, Edward Hematology/Oncology Group
• Allan Haggar, MD, diagnostic radiologist, Naperville Radiologists and MRI section head, Edward Hospital
• Linda Conlin, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker, Edward Cancer Center
• Yibin Wang, RD, LD, dietitian, Edward Cancer Center.

Presentations will include surgical and medical oncology perspectives, the role of CT and MR in the assessment of peritoneal disease, nutrition and psychosocial support, and patient and family feedback.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.123contactform.com/form-1526605/Oncology-SymposiumOctober-6-2015. CME credits are available for medical professionals who attend this event.