When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is here to help you – right here in the northern communities. From cancer prevention to detection, diagnosis, staging, and treatment, our cancer experts provide comprehensive care in various specialties, including radiation, surgical, gynecologic, and medical oncology.
With recent advancements in technology and research, plus an upcoming expansion in local services, patients north of Pittsburgh now have greater access to state-of-the-art cancer treatments and world-class expertise.
New Technology Helps Save Local Woman’s Life
A first-of-its-kind injectable dye that illuminates cancer spots on patients’ lungs is now available at UPMC Passavant–McCandless.
Nancy Barton is one of the first patients who benefitted from this new technology. When Nancy learned she had lung cancer, she sought care at UPMC and met with Ryan Levy, MD, chief of Thoracic Surgery at UPMC and thoracic surgeon at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
It wasn’t the first time Nancy had cancer, but now that she had nine grandchildren, this time around felt different.
“When I met Dr. Levy, he talked to me and told me everything he was going to do,” says Nancy. “It was comforting to know the whole plan.”
Dr. Levy collaborated with his team to create a personal care plan for Nancy, which included the use of an injectable dye to highlight the cancer in her lungs.
Innovative Injectable Dye Identifies Lung Cancer
Even with the care of a skilled surgeon, it’s difficult to visualize cancer cells with the human eye. The goal of this technology is to better detect cancerous lesions in the lungs during surgery.
The dye is injected into the patient’s veins using an IV one to 24 hours before surgery. After it enters the body, the dye spreads and binds to the cancer cells, causing them to glow.
During the procedure, the surgeon uses a special camera to illuminate the dye, which shows cancer cells that are otherwise difficult to see.
“Early detection has always been critical in the treatment of lung cancer. The next step is identifying smaller and smaller cancer lesions. This technology makes that possible,” says Dr. Levy.
With the help of the injectable dye, the surgeon could identify and remove small lung cancer lesions without having to remove a larger portion of Nancy’s lung.
“That dye lit up bright. He found it all and got it all out of me. He said, ‘I saved most of your upper lobe (of your lung),’” says Nancy.
Three months after her surgery, Nancy returned to enjoying her life.
“I’m happy to be back to just living my life. I don’t have to think about cancer anymore, it’s gone. I’m looking forward to camping, fishing, hiking, and spending holidays with my grandkids, great grandbaby, and family. I’m going to enjoy life,” says Nancy, who is incredibly grateful for the care she received at UPMC and hopes people know they have different treatment options after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Learn more about cancer care close to home at UPMCPassavant.com/Hillman.
Elevating State-of-the-Art Cancer Care in Butler
Earlier this year, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Independence Health System in Butler broke ground on an expansion to its radiation oncology services. The $6 million investment includes construction of a multi-ton vault, which will house an additional linear accelerator (LINAC) inside the 4,400 square-foot facility.
The LINAC, which is slated to be operational in early 2025, is a state-of-the-art Elekta Versa HD radiotherapy system that delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of a tumor.
“The LINAC will be able to address forms of cancer not previously treatable here,” says Jason Pawlowski, PhD, senior director, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
According to Dr. Pawlowski, 25 patients are treated at the facility daily.
“Operating a second LINAC will expand our capacity to care for even more people and ensure patients are scheduled for treatment efficiently and close to home,” says Dr. Pawlowski.
The technology will also allow UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Independence Health System to remain on the forefront of the most advanced cancer care available for Butler County residents. The ultra-precise radiation beams target very small tumors and can do so in a shorter amount of time, making it a safer and more effective treatment for patients.
“This radiotherapy system will enable new treatment techniques, including stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive radiation therapy that uses highly focused radiation beams to destroy tumors in the brain, and stereotactic body radiotherapy, which is used to treat tumors in other parts of the body besides the brain,” says Heath Skinner, MD, PhD, department chair, Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Seeing an increased need for radiation oncology services locally, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Independence Health System prioritized this investment to increase access to the highest quality of cancer care right where people live.
Dr. Skinner adds that many types of radiation therapy require patients to receive treatments on a daily basis for consecutive weeks and months. “We’ve always focused on bringing cancer care to our patients close to their homes, so they don’t have to travel far for this essential, life-saving care,” he says.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Independence Health System has been serving the Butler community since 2012. Along with the radiation oncology location on Technology Drive, an additional UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Independence Health System location is on Oneida Valley Road where medical oncology and supportive care services are provided.
Your Guide to Cancer Care in the Northern Communities
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER AT UPMC PASSAVANT–MCCANDLESS
9100 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Find a doctor at UPMCHillman.com/Find.
Medical oncology, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drug therapy
Gynecologic oncology
Radiation oncology, including:
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Intracavitary endobronchial brachytherapy (HDR)
Intracavitary gynecological brachytherapy (HDR)
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis
Prostate seed brachytherapy
RapidArc®
Respiratory gating
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
Vicryl mesh implant (LDR)
Surgical oncology
Supportive care services ranging from clinical trial screening and enrollment to symptom/side effects management
Imaging — advanced diagnostic services
PET-CT scan and diagnostic CT scan
Functional imaging
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER AT UPMC PASSAVANT–CRANBERRY
3 St. Francis Way, Suite 103
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Find a doctor at UPMCHillman.com/Find.
Gynecologic oncology
In-house lab
Medical oncology, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, injections, and targeted therapy
Also serves as a general infusion center for UPMC Passavant–Cranberry, providing a variety of infusion services
Supportive care services ranging from clinical trial screening and enrollment to symptom/side effects management
UPMC IMAGING SERVICES AT UPMC PASSAVANT–CRANBERRY
1 St. Francis Way
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
412-647-9729
General diagnostics
CT, including lung cancer screening
MRI, including breast MRI and MRI prostate exam
Ultrasound, including peripheral vascular disease ultrasound
Nuclear medicine
DXA scans (bone densitometry)
UPMC MAGEE-WOMENS IMAGING AND MAGEE-WOMENS SPECIALTY SERVICES AT UPMC LEMIEUX SPORTS COMPLEX
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Imaging: 1-800-649-4077, option 1
Specialty Services: 412-641-4700
Advanced breast cancer diagnostics and care,
including biopsies
Breast imaging
3D mammograms (screening and diagnostic)
Breast and gynecological ultrasounds
DXA (bone densitometry)
Breast surgery
Breast Cancer Risk Management Clinic
Cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling
UPMC Magee-Womens Specialty Services partners closely with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center for women’s cancer diagnostics and prevention. It also works in coordination with expert surgeons and teams at UPMC Passavant–Cranberry and UPMC Passavant–McCandless and outpatient centers located in Allison Park and Wexford.
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER, INDEPENDENCE HEALTH SYSTEM (MEDICAL ONCOLOGY)
129 Oneida Valley Road, Suite 311
Butler, PA 16001
724-482-2717
Medical oncology and supportive care services, including:
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drug therapy
Individual and family therapy
Cancer and caregiver support groups
UPMC HILLMAN CANCER CENTER, INDEPENDENCE HEALTH SYSTEM (RADIATION ONCOLOGY)
102 Technology Drive, Suite 110B
Butler, PA 16001
724-482-2679
Radiation oncology and supportive care services, including:
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Prostate seed brachytherapy
Cancer and caregiver support groups
Nutritional services
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