Department of Internal Medicine - Oncology Division
The Oncology Division focuses on three main missions: clinical, research, and education. In building an exceptional oncology program, we combine our experienced and caring physicians, our passion for research, and our commitment to teaching. Whether you are a patient looking for the right treatment, a medical professional seeking an outstanding fellowship training opportunity, or a medical researcher committed to advancing knowledge in basic or clinical oncology research, the University of Utah’s Oncology Division has resources to meet your needs. Currently, our division consists of ten full-time and two adjunct faculty members. We have twelve fellows enrolled in our combined Hematology/Oncology Fellowship program.
John H. Ward, M.D., is Division Chief.
Challenges
With the dramatic growth of our clinical enterprise, recruiting new faculty is our biggest challenge and a major effort to recruit new faculty members is presently under way. With the opening of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, and the related increase in patient volume, we have great opportunities for growth and great optimism regarding the future.
Patient Education
Cancer isn’t just one disease. It is a large and complex family of malignancies that can affect virtually every organ in the body, and is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. Our division cares for patients with all types of malignant disease, including hematologic neoplasms. Care is given at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) outpatient clinics, the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, and the Salt Lake Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC). The inpatient service is jointly staffed by members of the Divisions of Oncology and Hematology. Since many of our faculty are board-certified in both Hematology and Medical Oncology, we also treat some patients with benign hematologic problems..
If you or someone you know has questions about cancer, we are here to help. We can also help your primary or cancer physician.
More information can be found at http://www.hci.utah.edu/
Advancing Patient Care Through Research
Strong clinical and basic research programs establish our faculty and the Huntsman Cancer Institute as leaders in the advancement of cancer-related discovery. The research program includes clinical trials in cancer treatment, prevention, and screening, as well as a substantial effort in basic laboratory investigation. The division has annual federal funding of approximately $1,400,000.
Oncology Division members are active in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Treatment trials are supported administratively by the Huntsman Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Office. There are approximately 110 cancer clinical trials currently open that include investigator initiated, national cooperative group, and industry sponsored trials. Clinical trials accrual is 450 patients per year, and statewide collaboration for clinical trials has recently been established that is expected to increase this number.
More information about our Clinical Trial programs can be found at HCI Clinical Trials.
Major areas of interest include:
- nitric oxide and leukemia
- prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer screening
- immunotherapy of malignant melanoma
- cancer prevention trials
- molecular biology of apoptosis