Milwaukee Magazine | Cancer Care

Cancer Care

Learn more about treating cancer in the Milwaukee area –and find the city’s top oncologists.

ASK A CANCER DOCTOR

Dr. Barbara Buttin is a gynecologic oncologist with City of Hope Cancer Center located on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. We asked her to share her expertise on diagnosing and treating gynecologic cancers.

Why did you decide to specialize in gynecologic oncology?

My main motivating factor was that my mom had breast cancer. I was in the first year of my residency when she passed away, and I knew I wanted to work in women’s cancer. I always say that I help cancer patients because of my mom. From a scientific perspective, gynecologic oncology is a major frontier that needs more work. At City of Hope, we have the most leading-edge technologies when it comes to cancer medicine. We also have the best supportive medicine team – we have naturopathic physicians and

dietitians that work side by side with us, and I think that makes the biggest difference in survivorship. People come here from other places where they were told they were terminal, and then here they not only beat their cancer but also regain amazing quality of life.

What are some common symptoms of gynecologic cancers?

There are obvious symptoms, but there are also quiet symptoms. Common symptoms of cervical or uterine cancer are abnormal bleeding, pain with periods or sexual intercourse. But subtler symptoms often apply in slightly older women – there’s subtle weight gain, more belly fat, constipation, swollen legs. Women sometimes brush these off and attribute them to normal aging. If these symptoms persist for a month or so, I really encourage women to have an evaluation.

What treatment options are available?

If it’s in early stages and hasn’t spread, the usual treatment is surgery. If it’s spread to lymph nodes and adjacent organs, the treatment becomes much more complex. Oftentimes, treatment will be a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

What are some of the latest developments in gynecologic oncology?

One development is early detection. Ovarian cancer doesn’t have an effective early screening test, like a pap smear or ultrasound or mammogram, so a lot of research is going into that, and we’re getting closer to detecting ovarian cancer early. There are also treatment trials that are very exciting – they’re helping people fight cancer in its more advanced stages, when it’s much harder to treat. Over the past year, new therapies are also being developed that are less toxic than traditional chemotherapy and can help women live longer.

FIGHTING LEUKEMIA IN MILWAUKEE

Some of the most exciting research in leukemia treatment is happening right here. Milwaukee’s Versiti Blood Research Institute (VRBI) is leading the way in learning more about blood cancers. The team of researchers is currently discovering new treatments that are less damaging to patients’ bodies and can spare their healthy cells. For example, CAR-T therapy modifies a patient’s immune cells so they can recognize and kill tumor cells. They’ve also been developing a treatment that targets the mutations that cause healthy cells to turn cancerous, which would decrease tumor growth while still preserving healthy tissue. Learn more about VRBI’s innovative work on page 70 or online at milwaukeemag.com/ versiti

People with terminal illnesses can find a caring, compassionate home at Cedar Community in West Bend. The hospice services team specializes in providing care for life-limiting illnesses. They work with the families through the transition. Cedar Community provides art and music therapy, massage, pain management and much more for its patients. The team also supports family members with bereavement support and counseling from its social worker and chaplains.

MILWAUKEE’S TOP CANCER DOCS

These highly regarded medical professionals, listed by specialty, come recommended by their peers.

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

Jonathan H. Berkoff

Madison Medical Affiliates (Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s – Water Tower Medical Commons), Milwaukee, 414-289-9669

Erin Bishop

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

William H. Bradley

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Elizabeth L. Dickson

Michelson

Aurora BayCare Gynecologic Oncology, Green Bay, 920-288-8208

Scott Kamelle

Aurora Gynecologic Oncology, West Allis, 414-329-5656

Janet Sue Rader

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Brooke A. Schlappe

Aurora Surgery, Milwaukee, 414-329-5656

Denise S. Uyar

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY

Ehab L. Atallah

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

John Burfeind

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Kathryn A. Bylow

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

John A. Charlson

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-805-6800

Francis J. Cuevas

Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Mayfair Road Cancer Care, Wauwatosa, 414-256-1940

Timothy Fenske

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-805-0505

Patrick C. Foy

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-805-3000

Christopher Hake

ProHealth Care – UW Health Cancer Center, Waukesha, 262-696-0909

Mehdi H. Hamadani

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Peter H. Johnson

Polly and Bill Van Dyke Cancer Center – Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-298-7250

Michael E. Keefe

Polly and Bill Van Dyke Cancer Center – Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-298-7250

Leena V. Maramattom

Sherman Cancer Center – Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital – Elmbrook Campus, Brookfield, 262-780-4111

Scott Maul

Aurora Cancer Care, Grafton, 262-329-5000

Laura P. Mcgartland

Aurora Cancer Care, Milwaukee, 414-384-5111

Laura Michaelis

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-805-0505

Colin J. Mooney

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert West Bend Hospital Cancer Center, 262-836-7200

Ranveer K. Nand

Polly and Bill Van Dyke Cancer Center – Ascension

Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital –Ozaukee Campus, Thiensville, 262-243-7454

Anand D. Patel

Reiman Cancer Center –Ascension Wisconsin Health Center – Rawson Avenue, Franklin, 414-427-6230

Douglas E. Puffer

Polly and Bill Van Dyke Cancer Center – Ascension

Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital –Ozaukee Campus, Thiensville, 262-243-7454

Rubina Qamar

Aurora Cancer Care, Milwaukee, 414-384-5111

M. Ali Raza

ProHealth Care –UW Health Cancer Center, Mukwonago, 262-696-0909

Antony Ruggeri

Aurora Cancer Care, Milwaukee, 414-384-5111

Varsha V. Shah

Polly and Bill Van Dyke Cancer Center – Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-298-7250

Corey J. Shamah

Aurora Cancer Care, Milwaukee, 414-352-3100

Adam P. Siegel

Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Summit, 262-434-8800

Jonathan S. Treisman

Reiman Cancer Center –Ascension Wisconsin Health Center – Rawson Avenue, Franklin, 414-427-2360

Timothy Wassenaar

ProHealth Cancer Center, Oconomowoc, 262-696-0909

Stuart J. Wong

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 414-805-0505

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY

Kerri D. Becktell

Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-266-2000

Meghen B. Browning Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-266-6750

Veronica H. Flood Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-257-2424

David A. Margolis

Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-266-2681

Nathan J. Schloemer Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-266-2420

Richard L. Tower

Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 414-266-2000

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Manpreet Bedi

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Michael Christensen

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5050

Joshua K. Elson

Aurora Radiation Oncology, Kenosha, 262-857-5700

Beth A. Erickson

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Selim Firat

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Perry Gould

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

William Hall

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Gregory Kauffmann

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

Jeffrey Kittel

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

Daniel Lindsay

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

Shannon Offerman

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

William Pao

Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

Lewis Rosenberg Radiation Oncology Associates, Mequon, 262-241-5040

Christopher J. Schultz

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, 866-680-0505

Craig A. Schulz

Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital – Ozaukee Campus, Thiensville, 262-243-8384

Monica E. Shukla

Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, 262-251-1000

Erika L. Swanson

Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital – Ozaukee Campus, Thiensville, 262-243-8384

Ellen L. Ziaja

Aurora Radiation Oncology, Summit, 262-434-1800 ◆

The professionals listed herein were selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Professional Research Services Company of Troy, Michigan. The doctors surveyed and selected were from Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Racine counties. Professionals may be screened and selected through the verification of licensing and review of any infractions through various applicable boards, agencies, and rating services. For further information, visit prscom.com or email PRS at sshevin@prscom.com.

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