Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Multidisciplinary Enhanced Supportive Care

Significant declines in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer have increased challenges that impact patient care. Many patients with small cell lung cancer have a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. The team at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute is testing supportive care options with the goal of meeting the needs of all their patients.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Susan Yaguda, RN, Manager, Integrative Oncology, and Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP, Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology at Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. Listen as we discuss supportive care initiatives such as music therapy through a multidisciplinary care team lens when caring for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

“Started an initiative to identify what some of those missing components may be, what do people most want. We tried to ensure we were aligning our goals with their (patient) goals. And we learned there were many needs, through patients and care providers that may not have been addressed previously.”

Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP

“In this initiative we really looked for community partners that were well-vetted. Patients had already had strong relationships with some of the lung cancer programs here in town, and so we tried to really partner with them. We got their input about what they think patients needed, (and) what was missing from our offerings that patients could benefit from.”

Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP

Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Susan Yaguda, RN

Manager, Integrative Oncology

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

 Resources:

Cancer Support Community

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation