Medical Oncology & Hematology

Using a unique team-based approach, the medical oncology team collaborates with Sovah Health's radiologists, pathologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists to design a specific treatment plan for each patient. Under the medical oncologist's supervision, our oncology certified nurses administer chemotherapy and other supportive infusion services. Each patient is closely monitored to assess progress and treatment effectiveness.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemo (short for chemotherapy) is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Some chemo can be given by IV (into a vein through a needle), and others are a pill you swallow. Because chemo drugs travel to nearly all parts of the body, they are useful for cancer that has spread.

Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. People receive treatment for one or more days. Then they have a recovery period of several days or weeks before the next treatment session. Most people have their treatment in an outpatient part of the hospital, at the doctor’s office, or at home. Some may need to stay in the hospital during chemotherapy.

What does Chemotherapy do?

Depending on your type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can:

• • Cure Cancer - when chemotherapy destroys cancer cells to the point that your doctor can no longer detect them in your body and they will not grow back.
  • Control Cancer - when chemotherapy keeps cancer from spreading, slows its growth, or destroys cancer cells that have spread to other parts of your body.
  • Ease Cancer Symptoms (also called palliative care) - when chemotherapy shrinks tumors that are causing pain or pressure.