The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is a comprehensive facility dedicated to cancer care, serving the Lancaster community. It provides advanced treatments and supportive services, aiming to alleviate the burden of cancer. The institute operates as part of Penn Medicine, collaborating with its renowned Abramson Cancer Center to support patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Integrated Cancer Care
The institute employs a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer treatment, bringing together medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists. These specialists work in cancer-specific teams, collaborating to develop personalized treatment plans. Medical oncology services include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. The Barshinger Cancer Institute was the first community hospital in Central Pennsylvania to offer CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced immunotherapy that modifies a patient’s own immune cells to target cancer.
Radiation oncology offers state-of-the-art options, including proton therapy, the only such center in Central Pennsylvania. This precision radiation therapy delivers a high dose to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The institute also utilizes advanced systems like the CyberKnife M6, a precise robotic radiosurgery system. Surgical oncology services cover procedures for skull base, thyroid, parathyroid, and head and neck cancers. These integrated services span prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, education, and aftercare.
Support Beyond Treatment
The Barshinger Cancer Institute extends care beyond medical treatments, embracing a holistic approach to patient well-being. The facility’s design supports patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual health with natural light and tranquil spaces. Patient navigation services guide individuals through their cancer journey, offering support from diagnosis through recovery. Nurse navigators provide continuous assistance.
Counseling services are available, including individual, family, behavioral, and genetic counseling. Financial counselors assist patients with treatment costs, helping them access support funds for daily living expenses. Registered dietitians provide nutritional guidance. The institute also offers cancer rehabilitation programs, support groups, classes, and events. Comprehensive survivorship programs provide long-term follow-up plans and support for life after active treatment.
Pioneering Research and Technology
The institute integrates innovation into cancer care, utilizing advanced technologies for diagnosis and treatment. Advanced imaging techniques such as PET, CT, and MRI are employed for early detection and precise diagnostic insights. Molecular diagnostics, including microarray-based techniques, provide detailed genetic information to inform treatment strategies.
For treatment, the institute features advanced equipment, including proton therapy and the CyberKnife M6, enabling accurate radiation delivery. The Barshinger Cancer Institute actively participates in clinical trials, offering patients access to new therapies. Its Clinical Research Unit collaborates with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, providing access to research studies. This involvement aims to improve patient outcomes and contribute to future cancer treatments.
Beginning Your Journey
Becoming a patient at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute involves either a referral or scheduling an initial consultation. The institute streamlines the process with a consolidated registration and check-in system. During a first visit, patients meet with physicians for consultations and initial diagnoses in dedicated exam rooms. These rooms facilitate collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, including nurses, genetic counselors, and social workers.
The institute is located at 2102 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. For inquiries or to schedule an appointment, contact the institute directly at 717-544-9400. Further information can also be found on the Lancaster General Health website.