Health in the Commonwealth
Your doctor is the center of your medical team that includes more than 100 dedicated health care professionals. In addition, a hallmark of our practice is close collaboration with our colleagues in the medical community - your primary care physician, surgeon, and specialists, as needed.
We administer most treatment on an outpatient basis. We are also affiliated with many fine hospitals in the area and in Boston.
A Full Range of of Services
You will benefit from state-of-the-art advances in
diagnosis and treatment, including the newest chemotherapy drugs and the
most sophisticated radiation technology. Our comprehensive services include:
Our medical services go hand-in-hand with emotional, psychological, social, and nutritional support. For more information on local support groups, consult Support Services above.
Another key part of our program is patient education. In our Patient Resource Centers, you will find helpful literature and videotapes.
Family involvement is also a major priority at Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology For example, we encourage family and friends to stay with patients while they receive their chemotherapy treatments.
Research and Clinical Trials
The Department of Clinical Research at Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology was formed to offer patients new and innovative treatments for cancer and blood diseases. In our quest to find more effective therapies, we work closely with national cancer research organizations and major medical centers.
We routinely participate in research studies called clinical trials. These trials, which are closely monitored by the Food and Drug Administration, aim to improve survival rates and quality of life as well as lower the cost of treatments. Some trials involve new combinations of chemotherapy drugs; some involve the most recent radiation technologies; and some use medicines that stimulate the body's immune system to help fight cancer.
While some patients may be good candidates for clinical trials, others may be better served with existing forms of treatment. Accordingly, you should discuss your options with your physician or nurse ... and note that your participation in research is completely voluntary.
On-Site Laboratory
For your convenience, you can have your blood drawn for testing right in one of our office or clinic labs. All of our offices perform complete blood counts (CBCs), which tell us your amount of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Your doctor will order CBCs to help monitor your response to treatment.
Some additional laboratory tests may be necessary. For those that need to be conducted at outside facilities, results are usually returned to your physician in two to three days.
Home Health Care
If you are unable to leave home for treatment at one of our offices, your physician can arrange for you to receive care at home through Visiting Nurse Associations and other home care providers. Through our relationships with these groups, we can order antibiotics, pain medication, or other services, as needed.
