Oncology

Advanced cancer care in Kansas City

The Kansas City hospitals of HCA Midwest Health are known throughout the region for comprehensive care of all cancer types. We are proud to partner with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute to bring you innovative treatments and compassionate support services. Additionally, our hospitals are accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) quality program for excellence in oncology services.

To learn more about the comprehensive cancer care at Sarah Cannon at HCA Midwest Health, please call askSARAH at (816) 448-7737.

Recognition

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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 cancer facilities in Greater Kansas City

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

Types of cancer we treat

The cancer specialists at our hospitals work across a broad range of specialty areas to bring you comprehensive care. Our cancer centers provide diagnostic and treatment services for cancer types such as:

• Blood cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Genitourinary cancer
• Gynecologic cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Sarcoma
• Skin cancer

Your oncology team

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.

Cancer treatments we offer

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

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

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.

Skin cancer

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

Signs and symptoms of skin cancer

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

Types of skin cancer we treat

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

Skin cancer treatment we provide

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

Genitourinary cancer

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

Specialized patient navigation

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

Cancer wellness

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

Cancer survivorship

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.

Cancer Survivorship

Cancer rehabilitation

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.

Community cancer clinics

As part of our commitment to the local community, HCA Midwest Health partners with other facilities to provide cancer care to all of the Kansas City area. These facilities include: