Oncology

Our collaborative team of oncologists, surgeons, nurses and navigators provide support, empathy and kindness as well as expert medical care. All of our services are personalized so that you receive a treatment plan specifically for your needs.

One of the most important aspects of good health is understanding and prevention. Having an outline of your personal genetic background lets you take necessary steps to catch cancer early and even take preventive measures to keep you and your family healthy. We highly recommend genetic testing if you or a family member have received a cancer diagnosis — especially ovarian, gastric, breast or glandular cancers.

Finding the best method to address your diagnosis is a decision that you will make with the help of your doctors and our specialized oncology team. Understanding your options is a key part of developing the best treatment plan for you, and feeling more confident in your health, so we encourage you to ask questions and engage in discussions with your care team.

Biological therapy

Biological therapy is an umbrella term for cancer treatments that use naturally occurring substances, sometimes from the body, sometimes from laboratories, to treat cancers. Immunotherapy — the use of the immune system to destroy cancer cells, and hormone therapy — the use of hormones to shrink cancer cells, both fall under this category of treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy or "chemo" is often used in conjunction with other treatment methods to make them more effective. In chemotherapy, a variety of medicines are used to slow, stop or destroy the growth of cancer cells. There are often unpleasant side effects to chemotherapy, but we work to help you feel comfortable during and after treatment.

Radiation therapy

Also known as radiotherapy, radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. The two primary forms of radiation therapy are internal and external, and both use precisely administered doses of radiation to destroy harmful cells throughout the body.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is an extremely precise medical treatment that uses both medicine and specialized antibodies to target the proteins that cause cancer cells to grow and either destroy the cells or help your immune system destroy them. This form of treatment is still in development, so you will need to receive a biopsy and several other tests to determine if targeted therapy is an option for you.

The most important thing to keep in mind when confronted with a cancer diagnosis is that you are not alone. Our team of experts partner with you and countless others who are facing the same struggles and successes as you. That shared experience can be a strong source of support throughout your diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Your nurse navigators are a great resource to help you find a support group in your area.

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (352) 339-7000.