Advanced cancer care to heal the whole person

Medical Oncology Care

Advances in medical oncology continue to provide more effective treatment options for cancer patients. Improvements in supportive care have made treatment easier to tolerate. At CHI Memorial, we partner with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiologists and other specialists to create personalized treatments plan for patients.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses powerful medication to destroy cancerous tissue. It can be used in the advanced setting or to prevent its return after surgery. Regimens vary based on tumor type and stage of disease. Side effects from treatment vary based on based on the regimen and how well the patient is doing prior to treatment. For some tumors, chemotherapy with radiation may be combined or chemotherapy may follow surgery.

Hormone therapy

Some cancers such as breast and prostate cancer depend on hormones for their growth. Hormone therapy involves blocking the effect or shutting off production of the specific hormone, either temporarily (with medications) or surgically. Hormone therapy may be combined with other treatments to deliver the best possible outcome.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy can boost or change how the immune system works so it can find and attach cancer cells. This area of cancer treatment has had tremendous growth in the past few years.

Support

The Joe and Virginia Schmissrauter Center for Cancer Support offers guidance and a full range of holistic care. All services are free to cancer patients and their families and no referral is needed. For more information about cancer support services, call (423) 495-7778.