Being diagnosed with cancer brings to mind several questions regarding nutrition. We employ Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists (RDN) that have specialized training in working with patients with cancer. Their primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical nutrition therapy before, during, and after your treatment. RDNs are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. Our dietitians have advanced degrees in nutrition as well as certifications in specialty areas such as oncology nutrition, diabetes, nutrition support, and weight management.
Nutritional Counseling
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute and Georgia Cancer Specialists offer Phase I through IV clinical research trials. Our Phase I program includes novel “first in human” trials. We offer community-based medical oncology and hematology services and we also provide a full range of support services for patients in Georgia, including imaging services, retail pharmacy, nutritional counseling and wellness counseling.
Primary Care
You should read your insurance benefits book carefully. Inside, you will find instructions on how to get medical treatment in agreement with the insurance plan. Know what services require prior approval from your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or pre-certification from your insurance company.
Smoking Cessation
Emergency Care
If you need urgent care during office hours, call the office immediately. Tell the person answering the call that it is an emergency. A nurse practitioner, physician assistant or doctor will evaluate your situation and give immediate instructions.
Dr. Nishan Fernando, MD is the lead sub-investigator at our Center Pointe office. His certifications for the American Board of Internal Medicine are in both Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Fernando is a frequent and well-known speaker in the medical oncology community and has published numerous papers-particularly concerning colorectal cancer in publications like the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Colon Cancer
The clinical research program at Georgia Cancer Specialists focuses on making targeted cancer therapy accessible to as many patients as possible. With seven research sites in Metro Atlanta, Macon, Athens, and Blairsville, patients across the state are able to take part in cutting-edge clinical trials targeting all types of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer Care
We offer comprehensive cancer care in 26 offices located throughout Metro Atlanta, North, and Central Georgia. These offices are facilities of Northside Hospital through GCS’ affiliation with the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
Lung Cancer
Dr. Rodolfo Bordoni is the Director of Clinical Research for Georgia Cancer Specialists and is located at our Northside office. He is the founder and former Co-Chair of the annual Atlanta Lung Cancer Symposium and the founder and Chair of the Atlanta Precision Oncology Symposium. He has been a National Cancer Institute investigator since 1992, the Principal Investigator for over forty oncology clinical trials, the Leader of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Lung Cancer Research Working Group from 2014 through 2017, and a member of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Group.
If your visit is for a cancer treatment, you are called back to the chemotherapy room. Once in the chemo room, the nurse checks your lab test results and that your treatment is approved by the insurance company. If you have any questions about your therapy or potential side effects, please ask the nurse.
Radiation Therapy
Treatment: These trials test new drug treatments to prevent recurrence or progression of disease. They may also test new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy.
Radiation Oncology
Not always. Some insurance plans may not cover certain injectable “specialty” drugs administered by the oncologist, so you should always check with your plan before these are ordered or administered in the office. Your plan may pay radiation oncology differently than chemotherapy. You may have a higher co-pay for a specialist than you would with your PCP, and you may have to meet a deductible or pay a higher “co-insurance” percentage for chemotherapy.