Multidisciplinary Care for Liver Cancer

Our Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic offers individuals with suspected or diagnosed liver cancer the opportunity to meet with a team of specialists over a two-day visit at California Pacific Medical Center to better understand their disease and identify the best treatment plan.

Individuals who are likely to benefit from this clinic include:

• Patients with newly diagnosed or suspected
• Patients who may be candidates for liver
• Patients who have locally advanced or
• Patients who have had surgery for liver

As the only hospital in Northern California to offer a Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic, California Pacific’s physicians are committed to streamlining one’s cancer care experience, offering improved education and communication between physician and patient.

Clinic Itinerary

The Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic occurs from Tuesday to Wednesday on the second and fourth weeks of each month. During the two-day visit to California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, patients will divide their time between two of our campuses. Overnight lodging is available at a central location to these campuses.

Tuesday (Davies Campus)
On Tuesday, patients complete their laboratory testing and imaging studies (chest, abdomen, pelvis CT and bone scans; spiral CT scans obtained during hepatic arterial and portal venous phases; and, if needed, complementary techniques such as MRI, PET, diagnostic angiography and Doppler ultrasound). The results of these studies will be reviewed during Wednesday’s physician visits.

Wednesday (Pacific Campus)
Wednesday’s appointments include an educational presentation on liver cancer diagnosis and treatment options with our nurse, followed by appointments with our hepatologist, surgeon, oncologist and, possibly, interventional radiologist.

On Wednesday afternoon, our physician team will conduct a group meeting to review each case and then meet with the patient and his/her family member(s) to recommend and discuss a treatment plan. By verbally discussing treatment recommendations, individuals have the opportunity to ask questions of clarification and discuss all options with their physician team. Of course, similar questions are welcomed throughout one’s treatment.

Clinical Research

Our hepatologists are active in clinical research, offering multiple pharmaceutical and interventional studies for liver disease and liver cancer. As such, patients may be offered the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial during their treatment. A trial might involve a new medication regimen being explored for treatment of liver cancer or a new surgical technique. Our Hepatology Research Program is located in San Francisco, with additional sites in Oakland and Sacramento.

Nurse Navigation Services

Our Cancer Care Navigation Service provides individuals and families assistance with patient education, appointment scheduling and support service referral. Nurses can help individuals understand cancer terminology, provide chemotherapy education and symptom management tools. Additionally, they offer personalized referrals for nutritional counseling, psychological and social support, and complementary medicine. Call 1-866-975-COPE (2673) or email patientnavigation@sutterhealth.org..

Genetic Research Assessment

The Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Program at California Pacific offers individuals with a personal or family history of cancer the opportunity to learn more about the genetic nature of their disease and whether they may be predisposed to other cancers which they could monitor. Individuals meet with our genetic counselor during which an evaluation of one’s medical and family history is performed, as well as a detailed risk assessment and genetic education. If appropriate, genetic testing may be offered and facilitated by the genetic counselor.

A genetic risk assessment may assist in medical management decisions such as aggressive cancer screening and preventive measures. For more information, contact the Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Program at 415-600-5961.

Lodging

The Hotel Kabuki, centrally located in San Francisco’s Japantown, is the preferred hotel for California Pacific Medical Center. The Kabuki offers discounted room rates, free breakfast to our patients, and provides a staff person as a liaison to the Medical Center. Parking is available in the Japantown garage. Courtesy shuttle service is offered between the Hotel Kabuki and California Pacific’s Pacifi c Campus weekdays from 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The American Cancer Society may help offset hotel costs if an individual has a demonstrated financial need. Please talk to our Cancer Care Navigation Service regarding this.

For More Information

Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic
2340 Clay Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, Calif. 94115
Tel. 415-600-1041
Fax. 415-600-1117