There are many different kinds of cancer. There are also many types of treatment options including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these therapies. Your family physician or surgeon will refer you to one of our medical or radiation oncologists.

Chemotherapy
Medical oncology is another type of cancer treatment that involves chemotherapy. Medication is given either by injection, a pill or intravenously (IV). IV chemotherapy flows throughout the body to destroy cancer cells. Your doctor will determine the type of medication and how it is to be given after a review of your records and your examination. The medical oncologists are also trained in Hematology to treat blood disorders.

PET/CT Scanner
A new PET/CT scanner combines two of the best imaging technologies available and allows physicians to determine the location and extent of tumor growth. In just one imaging session, a physician can view both the functional (positron emission tomography or PET) and structural (computed tomography or CT) images, which have been precisely fused together. It is a non-invasive, painless scan that inspects the whole body looking for cancer – inside and out. Producing incredible 3D images, the PET/CT scanner can easily determine new cancers, spreading cancers or reoccurrence of previous cancers.

CT Simulation
CT simulation is one of the latest advances in radiation therapy. Through the use of computed tomography (CT), images are taken while a patient is in treatment position and put into 3D treatment planning software, allowing the radiation oncologist to design a treatment plan that is unique to each patient. The CT simulator allows the treatment team to collect accurate images so that positioning can be recreated for each radiation treatment.

Surgery
Depending on the type of cancer, surgery may be needed for diagnosis or to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue. Faith Regional Health Services has an outstanding staff of general surgeons and surgery specialists with expertise in lung and esophageal surgery, breast and tissue reconstruction, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, gynecologic surgery and urologic surgery.

Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arm and/or leg, and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired, or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes are removed. When the impairment becomes so great that the lymphatic fluid exceeds the lymphatic transport capacity, an abnormal amount of protein-rich fluid collects in the tissues of the affected area. Left untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to increase in size and number, but also reduces oxygen availability in the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture medium for bacteria that can result in lymphangitis (infection). With proper education and care, lymphedema can be avoided or, if it develops, kept well under control.

Other Services
The comprehensive services available through the Carson Cancer Center go beyond traditional cancer treatment to include: