Stephanie Maciejewski, of Grafton, has at all times been devoted about getting pelvic exams and Pap exams. When she realized she had superior cervical most cancers, the 42-year-old mom of three was shocked.
Stephanie’s obstetrician-gynecologist, Anne Lipinski, MD, recognized the most cancers and referred her to the Froedtert & the Medical School of Wisconsin Most cancers Community and William Bradley, MD, gynecologic oncologist and MCW college member. He known as Stephanie to say he was reviewing her case and needed to fulfill instantly.
“After that decision, I felt 10 instances higher,” Stephanie stated. “I knew Dr. Lipinski led me to the best group.”
A pelvic MRI and PET scan revealed Stephanie’s most cancers had unfold past her cervix to a close-by lymph node, making it stage IIIC1. After an appointment with Dr. Bradley, Stephanie and her husband met with Beth Erickson, MD, radiation oncologist and MCW college member. The 2 physicians mentioned the case with the gynecologic most cancers tumor board — a group of consultants from every self-discipline. All agreed Stephanie would profit from a mixture of chemotherapy and radiation remedy given in the identical five-week interval.
“Stephanie’s plan concerned a once-a-week infusion of a chemotherapy drug known as cisplatin, which makes radiation remedy simpler at destroying most cancers cells,” Dr. Erickson stated.
Following exterior beam radiation to the pelvis, Stephanie had MRI-guided brachytherapy. An applicator containing radioactive materials was positioned near the tumor, the place it delivered a excessive dose of radiation throughout 5 outpatient procedures.
Experience and Collaboration
Assessments confirmed that Stephanie had the human papilloma virus (HPV), a standard an infection that causes most cervical cancers. As a result of she had a particular sort, HPV 16, she was eligible for a scientific trial of a focused remedy drug being studied to see if it enhances the impact of chemoradiation.
When Dr. Bradley first talked about the scientific trial, Stephanie was uncertain. Nevertheless, after studying about the advantages of scientific trials and speaking together with her husband, she agreed to take part. Two weeks earlier than she started chemoradiation, she acquired an infusion of the examine drug. The trial additionally concerned further biopsies to trace the drug’s impact on the most cancers.
Sudden Flip
The cervical most cancers analysis was difficult, however as Stephanie was getting ready for remedy, a routine mammogram confirmed suspicious areas in her proper breast. A biopsy revealed she had ductal carcinoma in situ, a second and unrelated most cancers. Dr. Bradley linked Stephanie with breast most cancers specialists Caitlin Patten, MD, surgical oncologist and MCW college member, and Adam Currey, MD, radiation oncologist and MCW college member. They’d reassuring information.
“Stephanie had stage 0 most cancers, which isn’t tremendous aggressive,” Dr. Patten stated. “This is the reason we strongly encourage mammograms — to search out most cancers as early as attainable when there are extra remedy choices and one of the best probability for an excellent consequence.”
Stephanie’s 4 most cancers specialists agreed she ought to full cervical most cancers remedy earlier than addressing the breast most cancers. Stephanie had a lumpectomy to take away the breast most cancers. After some restoration time, she accomplished radiation remedy on her breast. Her medical group is happy with the end result of the remedies for each cancers.
“Stephanie had an impressive tumor response,” Dr. Bradley stated. “She can be adopted carefully for not less than 5 years with common exams and imaging.”
A group strategy, remedy coordination and entry to a scientific trial made the Most cancers Community the best selection for Stephanie. It affords the most important most cancers scientific trials remedy program in Wisconsin.
“I’m glad to have the ability to assist future sufferers,” she stated. “And I’m grateful for the compassionate care I acquired from my group. They make you a part of their household and go above and past for you.”
