Discovering that you or a loved one has cancer is naturally frightening. Thankfully, White River Medical Center (WRMC) has an army of doctors on your side to help fight this deadly disease. WRMC's Tumor Board, a multidisciplinary group of medical experts such as Oncologists, Pathologists, Radiologists, Family Practice Physicians, Pulmonologists, and Surgeons, all work together and focus on complicated cancer cases to provide treatment planning.
"Thanks to early detection, many of our patients can be successfully treated," said Dr. John Allgood, WRMC Radiation Oncologist. "The tumor board is for more difficult cases that require a little more research to achieve a favorable outcome."
Retired truck driver and Minister, Charlie McGarrity, 75, was initially one of those more difficult cases.
Three years to live. That is what McGarrity, a Hickory Ridge resident, was told when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to the bone. "I was stunned. Putting a number on the years you have left doesn't settle well," he said.
After months of fervent prayer following the diagnosis, McGarrity received words of wisdom from a church friend, Virginia Sue Soles. "Don't you give up," she said. "I've been there too. I was given six months to live six years ago." She advised him to do as she did and get a second opinion from WRMC physician Dr. Raman Desikan, an Oncologist/Hematologist in Batesville.
"After I heard his testimony, I knew I had to talk to him. I wanted him to know that he didn't have a life sentence. He needed a second opinion," said Soles.
After speaking with his Primary Care Physician, McGarrity was referred to Dr. Desikan.
Desikan met with McGarrity and then presented his case for review during a tumor board meeting. During the meeting, the team of physicians made an amazing discovery—McGarrity's bone scan was testing positive because of a descended kidney, not because of cancer in the bone. "When Dr. Desikan called and said, 'I've got good news. There's no cancer in the bone.' That was such a great sound," said McGarrity. Not only did they provide McGarrity with the good news that his cancer had not spread, they also provided him with recommendations to treat the prostate cancer. McGarrity chose to have the da Vinci prostatectomy surgery, a surgical procedure performed by WRMC Urologist Dr. Hunter Brown. Today, nearly two years after his initial diagnosis, Charlie is cancer free and he and his wife, Geraldine, have the promise of spending many happy years together.
White River Medical Center Oncologist/Hematologist, Dr. Raman Desikan, has worked on many tumor boards throughout his medical career. "Many hospitals have a tumor board, so its uniqueness is not having one—it's the quality and functionality. Here at WRMC, the Tumor Board is very interactive and functional. It's not just about learning, it's about helping our patients," he said. "We are fortunate to have such a talented group of willing physicians on the board."
The Tumor Board meets every Monday at White River Medical Center.
McGarrity, Allgood, Desikan, and Brown agree that early detection is the key to successful treatment. To aid in early detection, WRMC is hosting its yearly free Prostate Screening event on September 27th; call Stephanie King at (870) 262-1587 for more information.
Posted: September, 01 2011