Infusion Treatments for Benign Conditions Available Close to Home

The infusion centers of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute are well known for the convenient, patient-friendly care they provide to people with cancer. Now, a growing number of individuals with nonmalignant conditions are benefiting from that care as well.

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) operates seven hospital-based infusion centers under the Cancer Institute umbrella, including Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Carbon, Cancer Center at LVH–Hazleton, Cancer Center at LVH–Hecktown Oaks, Cancer Center at LVH–Muhlenberg, Cancer Center at LVH–Pocono, Cancer Center at LVH–Schuylkill and Cancer Support Services–Cedar Crest.

“These centers are equipped to provide treatments for both cancerous and noncancerous conditions,” says Amy LeVan, RN, MSN, OCN, Infusion Center Director at LVH–Hecktown Oaks and LVH–Muhlenberg. “We can administer any type of intravenous or injectable therapy that is given on an outpatient basis.”

A wide range of individuals without cancer are treated in the Cancer Institute’s hospital-based infusion centers. They may need iron supplementation, biologics, immunotherapy agents, blood products or hydration. And they may be diagnosed with conditions as diverse as:

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Hemochromatosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Migraine
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Crohn’s disease
• Osteoporosis

Most have one thing in common, however. “Whether they need a one-time treatment or repeated infusions, our patients appreciate not having to drive far to get great quality care,” LeVan says.

People are often at the center for an extended period while getting an infusion, and some need to return multiple times. “We are very focused on creating a positive patient experience,” LeVan adds.

One frequent reason for infusion treatment in people without cancer is iron-deficiency anemia. Other nonmalignant hematologic disorders that may be treated by infusion therapy include immune thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia.

“In individuals with iron-deficiency anemia, we often give IV iron if they haven’t been able to tolerate oral iron because of side effects or if they haven’t responded to iron pills after taking them for a while,” says hematologist oncologist Zachary Wolfe, MD, with LVH Hematology Oncology–1240 Cedar Crest. “A very common time for patients to need IV iron is during pregnancy.”

For anemias and other hematologic conditions, Dr. Wolfe says, “primary care clinicians, obstetricians and other specialists typically refer patients to hematology oncology first to make sure that IV treatment is appropriate. If it is, we can usually get the patient scheduled in the infusion center quickly.”

For other situations, direct referrals to the infusion center are available. “Any physician with privileges at LVHN can send us their patients,” LeVan says. “We can also accept referrals from outside clinicians, as long as they are not hematology or oncology related.”