Oncology

When you come to one of our hospitals for cancer treatment, you'll receive care from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Your cancer care team will work together to develop the right plan for you to give you the best outcome possible.

Your cancer care team may consist of:

• Medical, surgical and radiation oncologists
• Oncology-certified nurses
• Pathologists
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Plastic/reconstructive surgeons
• Radiologists
• Specialized physicians

We are also proud to offer access to social workers, financial and legal counselors, as well as chaplains.

Oncology nurse navigators

Nurse navigators are vital members of your multidisciplinary care team, serving as advocates and educators for you from diagnosis through survivorship. Our nurse navigators help coordinate your care and address any obstacles you may face, with the ultimate goal of providing you with stable support throughout your cancer journey.

Our nurse navigators:

• Connect you to helpful resources
• Help you understand your diagnosis, treatment plans and medications
• Host multidisciplinary cancer conferences to ensure you receive a personalized treatment plan
• Manage communication between members of your healthcare team
• Provide education around treatment options and clinical trial availability

We are proud to be one of the only community healthcare systems with clinics dedicated to particular types of cancer. This includes clinics for brain, breast, colorectal, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, lung and thoracic, prostate and skin cancers.

So, after you receive your diagnosis, we will connect you to a specialized physician — such as a cardiologist, gynecologist or pulmonologist. They will help bring you the personalized care you deserve.

Some cancers can be treated with one method while others are fought most effectively through a combination of treatments. Your cancer care team will design a treatment plan designed for your specific needs and type of cancer.

Nonsurgical treatments we offer include:

• Chemotherapy — Chemotherapy, a type of infusion therapy, is a drug-based treatment that uses powerful medicine to kill fast-growing cancer cells. Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment.
• Immunotherapy — Immunotherapy uses your immune system to detect and fight cancer. It can be used as a primary treatment method or in combination with other treatments (such as chemotherapy and radiation). This type of treatment can cause tumors to shrink significantly, reduce certain side effects and help control cancer over time.
• Radiation therapy — Radiation therapy is an advanced cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. This form of treatment works well when used with surgery and chemotherapy.

Lymphedema therapy

Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the arms or legs. Our certified lymphedema specialists and therapists will evaluate your condition and use a variety of therapeutic techniques to treat it. They can help control swelling and develop long-term management strategies that are right for you.

Cancer surgery

One option for cancer treatment can be the surgical removal of the tumor. If this is the treatment you need, our doctors specialize in the removal of many types of cancer and use minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible.

Some of our cancer surgery treatment options include:

• Gastrointestinal surgery
• Gynecological surgery
• Heart and vascular surgery
• Lung and thoracic surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Urological surgery

Interventional oncology

Interventional oncology may be used if your cancer cannot be surgically removed or effectively treated with other therapies. Some of our interventional oncology procedures include:

• Complex biopsies
• Cryoablation
• Drug-eluting bead embolization
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Tumor ablation
• Tumor embolization, such as chemoembolization and intra-arterial yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization

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.

askSARAH helpline

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 (804) 591-4152.