Advancing Cancer Therapies for Women

In 2015, Danna McClellan was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.

Her gynecologist recommended Dené Wrenn, MD, a gynecological oncologist at OHC (Oncology Hematology Care), the Tri-State leader in cancer treatment.

Because of the urgency, the process of selecting a treatment provider was not a lengthy one. "The best choice was made," McClellan says. "I couldn’t be happier about it."

OHC has been fighting cancer for more than 30 years. The group is one of the nation’s largest independent oncology practices. OHC’s approach to cancer care is simple – to surround the patient with everything needed so they can focus on what matters most – beating cancer. OHC is changing the cancer treatment paradigm, providing a multi-disciplinary team that reduces delays in treatment and improves a patient’s emotional well-being.

"The whole team here has been very helpful," says Steve McClellan, Danna’s husband. "Dr. Wrenn, her nurse practitioner Sarah Wilson, Dr. Evan Lang, all the nurses and technicians have been very good."

Danna agrees: "At one point, because of insurance issues, I thought I was going to have to change (doctors). I would have been heartbroken. Dr. Wrenn really connects with me. Beyond the scans, imaging and technology, she wants to see me, talk to me, feel and examine me. I like that part and still want to have that."

OHC’s surgeons specialize in robot-assisted procedures, which provide significant benefits for the patient and the surgeon. Instruments are inserted through small incisions. The surgeon sits at a console and controls the movement and operation of the instruments with great precision. The robotic instruments mimic the movement of a surgeon’s hands. High resolution 3D cameras allow the surgeon to observe small centimeters of the target area on a large screen.

Ajit Gubbi, DO, an OHC gynecological oncologist, speaks to the benefit of robotic surgery. "The comparison is like watching TV on your old, analog Zenith TV or watching on a high definition 4K television. The robotics provide 3D magnification with a 10x zoom factor compared to 4x on previous technology."

Benefits to the patients include minimal incisions, less blood loss, reduced chance of infection and faster recovery with less pain and need for narcotics. McClellan was home days after surgery and able to begin chemotherapy two weeks after her operation.

OHC is also the region’s leading provider of cancer clinical trials with more than 40 clinical team members engaged in the passionate search for innovative treatments. More than 60 clinical trials are currently being conducted with the newest treatment research. The OHC team works closely with each patient to determine the potential benefit and risk of trial participation. Each person receives the benefit of continuous evaluation of their treatment in light of emerging clinical breakthroughs.

This summer, McClellan began treatment with a chemotherapy pill newly approved by the FDA. So far, she and Dr. Wrenn are pleased with her reaction and the efficacy of the treatment. With the assistance of OHC’s financial navigators, McClellan received a grant from the pharmaceutical company that helped make that treatment possible.

With the comprehensive help of her OHC team, McClellan can focus on the all-important goal of beating cancer.

OHC has 16 locations in the Greater Cincinnati area. For more information, call 513.751.2273 or visit www.ohcare.com.