University Times

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside and UPMC Passavant have been designated “Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers” by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

This designation indicates that these centers within participating Blue Cross and Blue Shield network service areas are offering comprehensive inpatient cancer care programs for adults, delivered by multidisciplinary teams with subspecialty training and distinguished clinical expertise in treating complex and rare cancer subtypes.

Designated hospitals must meet several criteria:

— multidisciplinary team input (including subspecialty trained teams for complex and rare cancers and demonstrated depth of expertise across cancer disciplines in medicine, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology);

— ongoing quality management and improvement programs for cancer care;

— ongoing commitment to using clinical data registries and providing access to appropriate clinical research for complex and rare cancers, and

— a proven sufficient volume of experience in treating rare and complex cancers.

Complex and rare cancers compose approximately 15 percent of new cancer cases in the United States each year, making it difficult for patients to locate hospitals or research facilities with oncologists and surgical teams experienced in treating these malignancies.

The types of cancers designated by Blue Cross Blue Shield as complex and rare include acute leukemia (inpatient/non-surgical), bladder cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer (primary), esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, head and neck cancers, liver cancer, ocular melanoma, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, soft tissue sarcomas and thyroid cancer (medullary or anaplastic).

Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers were developed in collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and input from a panel of leading clinicians and professional organizations.