Treatment Options
Finding the best treatment option can lead to better health outcomes. Your doctor can help you determine which treatment is right you and your type of cancer.
Chemotherapy and infusion therapy
Delivery of medication to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells, relieve symptoms and improve the outcome of surgical or radiation treatments. Chemotherapy is a procedure for patients who have an order from a physician. In addition to chemotherapy, IV treatments and blood transfusions are performed in the infusion room.
Infusion therapy is the administration of medications directly into a vein through a needle or catheter. Our infusion centers offer
- On-site physician access
- Private treatment stations for chemotherapy and other infusion therapies
- Comfortable reclining chairs
- Flat screen TV at each treatment station
- Free WiFi access
- Designated free parking for patients
- Complimentary light snacks and refreshments
- Convenient one-stop access to expert physicians and state-of-the-art cancer care services in one advanced, convenient location
Radiation therapy
Radiation Therapy is the delivery of radiation to specifically targeted tumor cells while avoiding healthy tissue. Radiation treatments are administered by a member of the radiation oncology treatment team, a group of highly qualified medical professionals working together to ensure that patients receive the best care possible. Radiation therapy is widely used as a treatment for many types of cancer and can be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
There are a variety of radiation treatments available so your physician can recommend the one that’s been shown most effective at destroying your particular type of cancer.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate photon and proton beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor.
IGRT uses frequent two and three-dimensional imaging during a course of radiation treatment to shape radiation and direct it at tumors. Through more precise targeting of the beam, dosage levels can be increased and target volumes (the three-dimensional areas to receive treatment) can be reduced—so tumors get a higher dose of radiation and healthy surrounding tissues get very little. Higher doses have been shown to enhance treatment effectiveness. And better targeting reduces the possible side effects of radiotherapy. IGRT is especially useful for patients with cancers of the head and neck, breast and prostate.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a radiation therapy that is noninvasive and is used to treat primary and metastatic tumors of the brain. SRS can help patients preserve healthy brain tissue, allowing improved preservation of cognitive function by delivering targeted radiation in fewer high-dose treatments than traditional radiation therapy.
External beam radiation is the use of high energy X-rays and electrons for the treatment of cancer. A linear accelerator generates a radiation beam that is aimed at the patient’s tumor, destroying cancerous cells.
HI-ART (Highly Integrated Adaptive Radiotherapy) Tomotherapy unit combines the most advanced form of IMRT with real time CT scanning, allowing doctors to plan and deliver radiation therapy as precisely as possible. Also referred to as image-guided radiation therapy, this technology permits radiation oncologists advances in treating cancers of the brain, spine, and other previously difficult to treat areas.
Surgery
Surgical removal of tumors or cancerous tissue performed in a minimally invasive manner that speeds recovery. Surgery for cancer is local treatment done to remove the tumor. Tissues around the tumor and nearby lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery.
Along with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used, depending on:
- The cancer type and location
- Whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas (metastasis)
- As a preventive measure to prevent its recurrence
Palliative care
Palliative Care, also known as palliative medicine, is specialized medical care for people living with serious illness. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Facing a serious illness can often seem overwhelming, as can navigating a complex health care system. It’s easy to feel confused and alone. Working together with your doctors, our palliative care team provides expert pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support and guidance in making informed medical decisions as well as counseling for patients and families, ongoing personalized revision of the patient’s care plan and access to services based on the changing needs of the patient and family.