Symptom Evaluation Unit: (573) 884-3681

The Symptom Evaluation Clinic (SEC) staff provides immediate evaluation or short-term management of the symptoms of cancer side effects for unscheduled Ellis Fischel Cancer Center patients. Please call your doctor's office or the SEU before coming so staff can prepare your plan of care. The unit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 8 a.m to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. After regular business hours, the SEU is available by phone to help you with questions 24 hours a day. If you call after these hours, ask for the oncology doctor on call.

The nurse practitioner available during the day can perform a wide variety of assessments, order appropriate testing, apply treatments and give medications. The staff will communicate directly with your doctor to create a plan of care. They can provide intravenous hydration, assist with symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. The staff can provide extensive diagnostic workups for new or worsening symptoms.

If you are an Ellis Fischel patient, you may need to be seen if you experience any of the following symptoms or difficulties:

• Abdominal swelling
• Bleeding
• Constipation
• Cough
• Dehydration
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Inflamed mouth or throat
• Nausea
• Pain
• Painful Urination
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Wound drain or tube complication