Lincoln Kidney Cancer Patient Part of National Clinical Trial

Home support system, less life interruption are key factors in care

In December 2020, Stephanie began to experience persistent pain in the left side of her abdomen. Her primary care physician suggested she may have a urinary tract infection but ordered blood tests to rule out anything else. When test results were outside normal range, additional lab tests and scans revealed abnormalities in her kidney. This led her to Dr. Scott McHam, medical oncologist at Cancer Partners of Nebraska, where she was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

After surgery in February 2021, she was feeling better, but by April, she started to experience pain again. Additional tests showed that the cancer had spread to her liver.

Dr. McHam and the research team at Cancer Partners worked to develop a plan for Stephanie. The team met with her to go over options to fight this rare cancer, including a clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Fortunately, the Lincoln research team was able to provide the same clinical trial here, so Stephanie could continue to live at home with her support system and receive the same protocol.

Stephanie continues to work while receiving care and treatment, plus the trial’s required monthly visits.

“Working with my research nurse, Sheila, through this whole process has been smooth. I can pick up the phone or go in for a visit to discuss my symptoms and have my lab work done. I can’t imagine trying to balance my health while working and traveling for a clinical trial in another state.”

Stephanie Henderson Clinical Trial Participant

National Clinical Trials Available in Lincoln

Patients in our region have access to many clinical trials, thanks to Bryan’s partnership with Cancer Partners of Nebraska. They have membership with:

• MD Anderson Cancer Center

• ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Patients can access clinical trials today. They will continue to be available at the upcoming April Sampson Cancer Center

For more information about available clinical trials, please visit: cancerpartners.com/care/clinical-trails

DID YOU KNOW?

April Sampson Cancer Center Will be Accredited by:

• Commission on Cancer

• American College of Radiology (ACR)

Collaboration with Cancer

Partners of Nebraska provides:

• Clinical trial access through National Cancer Institute (NCI) networks

• MD Anderson Cancer Center research affiliation

• Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) certification

• Radiation Oncology ACR accreditation

• Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) pharmacy