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Thoracic Oncology Clinic

Our Location

U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Floor B1, Room 363, Reception: E
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5912

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Providing diagnosis and treatment for patients with esophageal cancer, as well as cancer tumors of the lungs, chest wall, diaphragm and mediastinum

The Thoracic Oncology Program at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center has assembled a team to provide care to our patients diagnosed with esophageal (and other thoracic) cancers. The team is staffed by:

• thoracic surgeons
• medical and radiation oncologists
• pulmonologists
• gastroenterologists
• radiologists
• pathologists
• nurses
• physicians assistants

all dedicated to providing patients with the best possible care.

Learn about The Thoracic Oncology Team - [this page opens onto the U-M Health System's web site].

Why come here for the diagnosis / treatment of esophogeal or thoracic cancer?

For patients with esophageal cancer, transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy (removing the esophagus without opening the chest) was pioneered and refined at the University of Michigan by Mark Orringer, M.D. More than 2,000 patients have undergone this operation at the University of Michigan in the past 30 years, giving U-M physicians the most experience with this procedure in the United States.

The operative mortality rate for this procedure at U-M is less than 3%, with an average hospital stay of only seven days. The Thoracic Oncology Program is also a leader in the development of combined modality therapy for esophageal cancer, a therapy in which patients are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery in an attempt to improve their chances for survival.

The Clinic offers patients:

• review of medical records prior to each appointment to facilitate an efficient and cost-effective visit
• multidisciplinary coordinated clinic care in which additional tests and appropriate consultations are scheduled on the same day whenever possible
• the expertise of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board for consensus treatment decisions
• comprehensive patient education materials
• an opportunity to meet with a health educator or dietitian to discuss concerns or special needs
• access to support groups
• reports to referring physicians within 48 hours of the visit

Support for our patients and their families

We understand the stress and confusion a cancer diagnosis can cause. Counseling and emotional support are integral parts of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our support programs include patient education and support groups, a Symptom Management Clinic and many more. Please take time to visit the For Cancer Center Patients area of this website. We outline the services available to our patients at every point in their care.

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