Treatment and services

Oncology patients require a broad spectrum of care needs, which vary depending on the type and stage of illness. In addition to early detection and screening services, Community Health Network's cancer care providers offer the latest technologies available to treat cancer through medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology therapies. At the time of admission, each patient’s need for care is assessed, including physical, psychosocial, nutritional and education-level evaluation. Additionally, each patient is assessed by a registered nurse every eight hours.

Medical oncology services are provided on a specialized nursing unit at Community Hospital East and through medical and surgical beds at Community Hospital North and Community Hospital South. Radiation oncology is provided at Community Hospital East, Community Hospital South and the Community Regional Cancer Center - North on the Community Hospital North campus.

Cancer therapies

Community Regional Cancer Care offers expertise across the entire family of cancer therapies, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biotherapy and surgical treatment.

• Radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer with ionizing radiation or x-rays that are stronger to destroy or damage malignant cells. This is a common course of treatment for cancer patients and can effectively treat many types of cancer. In some cases, it may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. Types of radiation therapy >>
• Chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancerous cells that have spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. It is a systemic (whole body) treatment, meaning it enters the body and travels through the body to kill cancer cells. Learn more about chemotherapy >>
• Biological therapy/immunotherapy
  The goal of biotherapy is to boost or restore the body’s immune system to enable it to fight cancer or infections. Biotheraphy is also used to lessen the side effects of some cancer treatments. Agents used in biotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect.
• Surgical treatment
  This therapy involves surgical treatment of cancer, including biopsy, tumor staging and tumor resection (removal).

Specialty areas

Hematology-oncology

Hematology-oncology is a subspecialty of oncology that deals with non-surgical treatment of cancer of the blood or bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Treatments for blood cancers include a variety of therapies, such as radiation, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, blood product transfusion and surgery.

Blood disorders, such as anemia, may occur as a side effect of radiation or other blood cancer therapies. Treatment for anemia may include bone marrow transplantation, blood transfusion, surgery and other courses of treatment as determined by your physician. Learn more about hematology, anemia and blood disorders >>

Neuro-oncology clinic

The neuro-oncology clinic provides an aggressive, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis, treatment and care using the best known medical and surgical practices to date. We work as a team of medical professionals with patients and their families early on to make the best decision possible about the course of care. Learn more about the neuro-oncology clinic >>

Cancer screening and diagnostic services

Low-dose lung cancer CT screenings

Schedule an appointment >>

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. About 165,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the U.S alone. Today, substantially more women die from lung cancer than from breast cancer. It is firmly established that smoking cigarettes causes the vast majority of lung cancers. Another important risk factor is long time exposure to second hand smoke and exposure to Asbestos fibers. Like most cancers, lung cancer tends to occur later in life. Lung cancer is rarely observed in people under the age of 45-50 years. People who undergo a CT lung screening will receive an ultra low-dose CT scan that will demonstrate the lung tissue in high diagnostic quality detail with a reduced amount of ionizing radiation. Learn more >>

Breast screening centers

Community Breast Care’s accredited and FDA-certified breast screening centers offer comprehensive breast diagnostic services, including screening and diagnostic digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, fine needle and ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration, ultrasound-guided core biopsy, stereotactic core biopsy and ductography. All tests are conducted by nationally certified breast technologists and interpreted by board-certified radiologists. Make an appointment >>

Symptom management group

Community Regional Cancer Care is committed to our patients and their family members. Our symptom management group helps treat the physical and mental conditions that develop as a result of cancer by providing comfort, relieving symptoms, and easing distress caused by disease and treatment. Symptom management services include a variety of counseling services, pain management and patient care options. Learn more about the Symptom Management Group >>