Oncology

We are proud to offer seven CoC-accredited cancer hospitals in the Kansas City area, including:

• Belton Regional Medical Center
• Centerpoint Medical Center
• Lafayette Regional Health Center
• Lee's Summit Medical Center
• Menorah Medical Center
• Overland Park Regional Medical Center
• Research Medical Center

It takes a team of specialists working together to make sure you receive the highest level of cancer care possible. When you come to one of our hospitals for cancer treatment, your oncology team may include:

• Interventional radiologist—Performs minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat cancers without surgery.
• Oncologists—Physicians who specialize in treating individuals diagnosed with cancer. Some specialize in a certain type of cancer.
  • Medical oncologist—Diagnoses and treats cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
  • Radiation oncologist—Uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
  • Surgical oncologist—Performs surgical procedures, including tumor removal and biopsies.
• Pathologist—Studies cells and tissues under a microscope and relays information about the cells to physicians to determine the best treatment options.
• Radiologist—Diagnoses cancer with imaging technology, such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Reconstructive physician (plastic surgeon)—Performs surgery to restore function and appearance of areas affected by cancer.

The Sarah Cannon HCA Midwest Health cancer centers are accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) quality program. This means our hospitals exceed the quality care standards set out by the CoC and consistently provide excellence in patient-centered care.

Our evidence-based cancer wellness program is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you want to reduce your risk of cancer or are receiving treatment, we have the expert care you need. Cancer wellness helps patients and caregivers:

• Relieve fatigue
• Manage symptoms
• Improve function and quality of life
• Be proactively involved in your or your loved one's care

Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute is known for providing leading-edge cancer care close to home. As a Sarah Cannon patient, you know the difference that a genuine, caring relationship can make in coping with, treating, and surviving a cancer diagnosis. We, the oncology experts at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HCA Midwest Health, are here to help you through the next phase of life. We are dedicated to supporting you and we will continue to encourage you to live your best life.

Our cancer-focused rehabilitation team understands how a diagnosis of cancer, as well as surgery and treatment side effects, can change how your body feels and moves.

This team of specialists, part of our cancer rehab program, is comprised of experienced physical, occupational, lymphedema, pelvic floor and speech therapists who work together to help you improve your physical functioning and well-being through individual support.

Our cancer rehabilitation team collaborates with the clinical care team to help patients stay strong and minimize side effects, focusing on the quality of life.

Advanced imaging technology we use includes:

• 3D mammograms
• Breast MRI
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Colonoscopy
• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy
• Navigational bronchoscopy
• Positron emission tomography (PET)

Our hospitals are committed to providing women with comprehensive breast health services. As part of this commitment, we use advanced technology and the latest techniques to detect and diagnose breast cancer.

Our 3D mammograms convert digital breast images into a stack of thin layers, building a 3D image of the breast. This allows radiologists to look at your breast tissue in far greater detail than a traditional mammogram. When needed, we also offer breast MRIs and minimally invasive biopsies to evaluate suspicious breast lesions further.

Routine colorectal cancer screenings are one of the most powerful tools for prevention. That's why it's so important to schedule a colonoscopy. Colonoscopies are recommended for men and women beginning at age 45 (or earlier if you have certain risk factors).

We also provide alternative colon cancer screening tests, such as:

• Digital rectal exam: X-ray of the large intestine or barium enema, Biopsy
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Stool DNA test
• Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)

We provide low-dose CT imaging for lung cancer screenings. CT images are better at finding abnormalities than a traditional chest X-ray. The amount of radiation received during a low-dose CT lung cancer screening is less than the amount received annually from naturally occurring radiation present in the environment.

Most testicular cancers can be found at an early stage. The American Cancer Society recommends performing testicular self-exams regularly and getting examined by your doctor during routine check-ups as the best ways to find testicular cancer early.

Men with risk factors, such as an undescended testicle, previous testicular cancer or a family member who has had this cancer should consider conducting monthly self-exams. If you have risk factors or find something unusual, consult your doctor right away.

In addition to regular screenings, education can play a key role in preventing cancer. Visit the American Cancer Society's helpful resources for cancer prevention below:

• Cancer Screening Guidelines
• Exams and Test Descriptions
• By Age: Screening Recommendations
• Medical Coverage For Prevention & Early Detection

We offer some of the most advanced technologies available to treat cancer, including:

• Interventional oncology
• Image-guided high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Neurosurgical ablation
• Oral and intravenous (IV) chemotherapy
• Prostate brachytherapy
• Radiation oncology
• Robotic surgery

Radiation oncology, also called radiotherapy or radiation therapy, involves treating cancer with beams of high-energy radiation. Radiation therapy uses X-ray energy delivered at many more times the amount of a regular X-ray to treat cancer.

Our hospitals may perform radiation therapy during your cancer treatment for different reasons, including:

• Neoadjuvant therapy (before surgery, to shrink a cancerous tumor)
• During surgery, to direct large doses of radiation directly at a tumor
• Adjuvant therapy (after surgery, to stop the growth of any remaining cancer cells)
• In combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy
• Palliative care (decrease pressure or pain that the tumor puts on you)

Immunotherapy is a type of therapy that uses the body’s 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).

Immunotherapy can help shrink tumors significantly, reduce certain side effects and help control cancer over a prolonged period. We offer many immunotherapy clinical trial options for a variety of cancers.

Our nurse navigators are oncology-trained nurses who work directly with patients to guide them through their cancer journey. The navigator serves as a constant point of contact to coordinate care, answer questions and provide resources.

Nurse navigators often specialize in a certain type of cancer, such as breast cancer, lung cancer or colon cancer. Your nurse navigator may assist with:

• Access to national clinical trials
• Connecting you with outside resource centers, such as the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen
• Coordinating care and communication with the entire healthcare team
• Hosting interdisciplinary cancer case conferences to assure personalized cancer treatment
• Providing educational materials
• Understanding your diagnosis and available treatment options
• Understanding what resources are available and how to access them

Most cancer is sporadic—it occurs by chance alone. However, according to the American Cancer Society, about 5 to 10 percent of cancer is hereditary. Characteristics of hereditary cancer may include:

• A personal or family history of cancer diagnosed at a young age (earlier than 50 years old).
• Clusters or patterns of cancer in a family, such as breast and ovarian, colon and uterine or melanoma and pancreatic.
• Multiple primary cancers in yourself or another family member.

Genetic testing can help you evaluate your risk for developing cancer and make informed decisions about your health. We offer comprehensive genetic testing that provides you with personalized information about genetic influences, specific cancer risks and personalized screening and prevention options.

Genetic counseling can include:

• Collection of detailed medical and family histories
• Pedigree drawing and analysis
• Review of medical records
• Patient education
• Cancer risk analysis
• Medical management of cancer risk and options
• Genetic testing
• Results disclosure

Benefits of genetic counseling

Because we have specialists dedicated to genetic counseling, we can provide you with in-depth resources and information about your risks for developing cancer.

Our genetic counselors can benefit you and your loved ones by providing:

• Risk assessments
• Genetic cancer education
• Medical management and testing options
• Reassurance and guidance for you and your family

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. Anyone can develop skin cancer, and it is most common in areas that are chronically exposed to sunlight, like the face, neck, hands and arms.

Risk factors for skin cancer include:

• A large number of moles or moles of unusual size or shape
• Excessive sun exposure
• Fair skin that freckles easily
• Family history of skin cancer
• History of tanning bed use
• Light-colored hair and eyes
• Personal history of blistering sunburns

It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer. These may include:

• A changing lesion of the skin, including changes in size, color, shape or sensation (such as bleeding, itching, tenderness or pain)
• A dark freckle or mole
• A lesion that appears or feels different than the rest of your skin
• A persistent sore or pimple-like lesion that doesn’t heal within one month
• Scaling, roughness, oozing, bleeding or a change in the way an area of skin looks

Our team of experts includes national leaders in multiple specialties, including medical oncology, surgical oncology and plastic surgery. Types of skin cancer we treat include:

• Adnexal (sweat gland and hair-derived) carcinoma
• Angiosarcoma
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Cutaneous Lymphoma
• Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
• Kaposi sarcoma
• Leiomyosarcoma
• Lentigo maligna/melanoma in situ
• Malignant melanoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma

We provide a wide range of treatment options for skin cancer, depending on your needs. Treatment options we offer include:

• Advanced reconstructive and plastic surgery (including skin flaps and grafts)
• Chemotherapy
• Mohs micrographic surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Scar revision
• Skin cancer excision
• Targeted biochemotherapy

Our genitourinary (GU) program provides specialized care for patients with cancers affecting the urinary tract system and male genital tract. We offer clinical expertise in GU cancer, such as:

• Bladder cancer
• Genitourinary cancer
• Genitourinary malignancies
• Kidney cancer
• Male genital malignancies
• Male reproductive cancers
• Penile cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Urinary tract malignancies
• Urinary tract tumor
• Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) disease

MidAmerica Cancer Care - Butler
On the campus of Bates County Memorial Hospital
615 Nursery Street
Butler, MO 64730
(660) 200-7006

MidAmerica Cancer Care - Harrisonville
On the campus of Cass Regional Medical Center
2800 Rock Haven Road
Harrisonville, MO 64701
(816) 887-0331

MidAmerica Cancer Care - Warrensburg
In partnership with Western Missouri Medical Center
403 Burkarth Road
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 262-7730

Midwest Oncology Associates - Topeka
At Stormont Vail Health
1414 SW 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 354-5300

MidAmerica Cancer Care - Clinton
On the campus of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital
1600 N 2nd Street
Clinton, MO 64735
(660) 890-8555

MidAmerica Cancer Care -
South KC
1000 Carondelet Drive
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 601-3990

Midwest Oncology Associates - Carrollton
On the campus of Carroll County Memorial Hospital
1502 N Jefferson Street
Carrollton, MO 64633
(660)-542-1695 x. 3070

HCA Midwest Health is 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 (816) 448-7737 or visit askSARAHnow.