Cancer Treatments
Cancer treatments depend on several factors including the type of cancer; size, location, and stage of the disease; and a person’s general health. We develop treatment plans designed to fit each person’s unique situation.
These plans include:
- Surgery
- Medical oncology (chemotherapy)
- Radiation oncology
Surgery
Approximately half of all cancer-related diagnosis involve surgery as the first course of treatment.
Surgery is performed to remove tumors and any nearby tissues suspected of containing cancerous cells. In some cases, surgeons will remove healthy tissues to keep the cancer from spreading. At other times, surgeons remove lymph nodes near a tumor to determine if the cancer has spread.
Medical Oncology
Medical oncology refers to the treatment of cancer using:
Medical Oncologists are board-certified cancer specialists that are uniquely qualified to manage the specific problems associated with cancer and cancer treatments. Medical Oncologists are experts at determining which drug or combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy.
The Medical Oncologists at the Regional Cancer Care Institute also specialize in hematology, the field of blood disorders, which include such diseases as leukemia and aplastic anemia.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology refers to the use of radiation in the treatment of cancer, and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It is effective in almost every part of the body. Other names for it include radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, cobalt therapy, and irradiation. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to destroy the ability of cancer cells to divide and multiply.
Radiation therapy is delivered one of two ways: