Childhood Cancer in Oklahoma
Research conducted by: Khrish Patel and Lakshmi Birasam
Saint Anthony Hospital
Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City treats a variety of cancer patients through its Frank C. Love Cancer Institute, which offers services such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical oncology. In 2017, for example, there were 902 new cancer cases diagnosed and/or initially treated at the hospital, with breast cancer being the most common malignancy. Saint Anthony Hospital doesn't publish specific percentages of pediatric cancer patients treated. Generally, pediatric cancer cases make up about 1% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S., as adult cancers are much more common. Given this, the percentage of pediatric cancer patients at Saint Anthony would likely be in this small range, although the exact figure could vary based on the hospital's patient population and services. Services include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, MRI, PET imaging, CT scanning (256 slice), digital mammography, 3D mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, fine needle aspiration, external beam therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immune support therapy.
Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City treats a significant number of cancer patients annually, though precise numbers are not readily available from public sources. The hospital’s cancer care has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) for over 45 years, ensuring adherence to national guidelines and providing comprehensive care for all stages of cancer. For instance, in 2014, Mercy Hospital diagnosed 565 breast cancer patients, with 29 in stage IV. However, specific data about what percentage of these cancer patients are pediatric is limited in public records. Pediatric cancer care at Mercy is typically provided through specialized programs within its oncology department. Services include Gamma Knife® technology, the TrueBeam® linear accelerator, Calypso, breast cancer screening, lung cancer screening, colon cancer screening, skin cancer screening, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and oncology surgery.
INTEGRIS Health
The INTEGRIS Health hospitals treat cancer through the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute. They have four clinics across Oklahoma to support cancer patients, including the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute at Southwest Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Grove Hospital, and INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley in Yukon. While statistics for their patient population in childhood cancer are not available, INTEGRIS Health treats a large number of patients at their locations. They are accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Radiology. Their services include image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR), 3D conformal radiation therapy, Yttrium 90, Samarium 153, superficial X-ray therapy, proton beam therapy, clinical trials, radiation, chemotherapy, and infusion treatments, among others.
OU Health
The OU Health hospitals provide care through the Stephenson Cancer Center and the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital-Jimmy Everest Center. The Stephenson Center is Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and was named Oklahoma’s top cancer care provider by U.S. News & World Report. Specific percentages regarding childhood cancer were not listed; however, statistics show that NCI-designated cancer centers have a 25% improved survival rate after one year. The Jimmy Everest Center is dedicated to treating childhood cancer in Oklahoma. Their services include phase 1 clinical trials, chemotherapy, infusion, 3D conformal radiation therapy, electron beam radiation, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiation treatment, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), total body irradiation (TBI), surgery, proton therapy, CAR T-cell (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy, and immunotherapy.