Sickle Cell Multidisciplinary Clinic

Expert Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease

With advances of newborn screenings and aggressive management of infections and anemia, life expectancy for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia has increased dramatically. Adults with the disease can have long, full lives with ongoing monitoring, treatment and support.

The Sickle Cell Multidisciplinary Clinic of the Lifespan Cancer Institute provides the specialized care that adults with sickle cell disease require. Multidisciplinary care is carefully coordinated between patients and their families, and physicians and nurses from many specialties. And because sickle cell disease ranges from mild to severe, we provide individualized care to each patient

Specialized Care for Sickle Cell Disease 

Optimal treatment for sickle cell disease involves a multidisciplinary team, which may include a primary care physician, hematologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, neurologist, emergency medicine physician, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, and social worker.

The only potential cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow transplant, which has significant risks. If a patient cannot have a transplant, sickle cell treatment focuses on preventing or alleviating pain, managing symptoms, and preventing complications.

Our clinic offers:

• Routine outpatient care
• Ongoing pain management
• Medication management to lessen symptoms
• Blood transfusions of healthy red blood cells to treat or prevent complications
• Wound care
• Education and support
• Genetic counseling