CANCER SERVICE

Cancer Care - Twice the Trust 

In 2006, Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals' Cancer Service joined forces with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) to provide advanced care and treatment for individuals with cancer right here on the North Shore. Through this relationship, individuals are diagnosed and undergo treatment at Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals and benefit from the additional expertise provided by dedicated cancer and tumor specialists from BIDMC. Seamless access to BIDMC in Boston is available for those who require highly advanced technologies and treatments not available in the community. 

The joint program is led by Marc B. Garnick, M.D., medical oncologist specializing in prostate disease at BIDMC, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In his capacity as Medical Director of Oncology Services and Cancer Program Development for the joint program as well as Director of Cancer Network Development for BIDMC, Dr. Garnick works closely with Beverly and Addison Gilbert oncologists and surgeons to create multidisciplinary cancer programs to ensure that comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer services are available locally. To date, these efforts have resulted in collaborative programs in breast cancer, gynecologic oncology, genitourinary cancer, prostate cancer and thoracic cancers. 

Through the combined efforts of Beverly urologists and BIDMC radiation oncologist Irving D. Kaplan, M.D., prostate seed implantation is available locally for men with early stage prostate cancer. Dr. Kaplan and dosimetrists from BIDMC create the radioactive seed placement plan for each individual. They work side-by-side with Beverly urologists who perform the seed placement therapy at Beverly Hospital. This capability, combined with other advanced urological treatments available at Beverly Hospital, ensures that individuals with urologic cancers and disorders and diseases of the urinary tract benefit from a full spectrum of the latest treatments and techniques. 

For years, the Beverly Hospital Breast Health Center has been providing a multidisciplinary program for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Specialists from breast surgery, medical and radiation oncology, breast radiology and pathology convene to discuss the specifics of each case. The coordinated, comprehensive courses of treatment they create are designed to meet the needs of each individual. In 2007, BIDMC medical oncologist Steven E. Come, M.D., who specializes in breast cancer, joined this multidisciplinary team. Additionally, Beverly Hospital offers genetic testing for women concerned about their inherited susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancers. Women who test positive are referred for further counseling to the BIDMC genetic counseling program. 

In collaboration with BIDMC thoracic surgeon Daniel B. Costa, M.D., the Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals' Cancer Services program is able to offer thoracic multi-disciplinary physician case conferences which follow the same model of care as the breast multidisciplinary clinic. Individuals with esophageal and/or lung cancer may be evaluated by specialists from thoracic, medical and radiation oncology and pathology. These specialists meet to discuss and develop a coordinated plan of care. 

In 2009, members of the Cape Ann Community celebrated the opening the new Gorton's Specialty and Cancer Care Center, on the campus of Addison Gilbert Hospital. The new Center offers greater access to state-of-the-art cancer services including chemotherapy and biotherapy as well as supportive therapies including antibiotic administration, blood transfusions and phlebotomy.

For residents of Beverly, Gloucester, and all of our surrounding North Shore communities, the cancer care relationship between Beverly and Addison Gilbert hospitals and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has brought enhanced access to top-quality cancer treatment … close to home. 

Marc Garnick, M.D. is the Medical Director of Oncology Services and Cancer Program Development for the Beverly and Addision Gilbert hospitals/BIDMC cancer program.