Deaconess Cancer Services is the region’s most comprehensive cancer program, delivering complete, compassionate care through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. At Deaconess, we treat cancers through a multidisciplinary approach, with expert physicians and multidisciplinary teams to ensure a comprehensive treatment plan.
Our medical oncologists are physicians who have special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy. The medical oncologist often is the main health care provider for someone who has cancer.
Radiation oncology (radiotherapy/radiation therapy) is a medical specialty that is an essential part of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. Radiation therapy uses x-rays or other high-energy types of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be a stand-alone treatment or may be paired with chemotherapy and/or surgery.
The cornerstone of surgical oncology is the resection of the primary tumor. The goal is to obtain complete local control where the entire tumor is removed with adequate surgical margins of normal tissue so that the cancer does not recur. Many of our general surgeons have specialty training in procedures for diagnosing, staging, and removing cancerous growths.
Clinical research is the comprehensive study of the safety and effectiveness of the most promising advances in patient care. Cancer clinical trials are designed to evaluate and test new interventions and medications to treat cancer. The multidisciplinary cancer care team includes representation from the Deaconess Research Institute. The oncology research staff screen and review cancer cases to evaluate if patients meet inclusion criteria to be enrolled into a cancer clinical trial.