Recognizing that every patient has unique needs, Lake Charles Memorial
Cancer Center’s services include individualized diagnostic and treatment
plans – whether on an inpatient or outpatient basis – in a
comfortable and compassionate atmosphere right here in southwest Louisiana.
Our cancer care and treatment options are comparable to nationally recognized
cancer centers.
At our cancer center, our team of specially trained chemotherapy nurses
(ONCC), board-certified oncology physicians, surgical oncology, radiation
oncology, urology, radiology, and pathology join to create a treatment
plan that is personalized and best for you. Our patient navigators offer
additional assistance to guide you through the health care system, track
your appointments, and answer your questions.
Chemotherapy & Infusion Services
Chemotherapy and infusion services at Memorial consists of medications
which circulate through the patient's blood and eliminate cancer cells
at sites of disease. Formulating treatment plans for chemotherapy and
mixing and administering these medications requires highly skilled and
specialized professionals. Medical oncologists and oncology certified
nurse’s work closely with our Certified Specialty Pharmacy staff
to manage dosages and monitor patient progress, ensuring the best, innovative
formulas, and optimal treatment plans to fight specific diseases.
The side effects of many new chemotherapy drugs are lesser in severity,
but more powerful at targeting and eradicating cancer cells. Patient education
classes ensure that you and your family are well-informed about the regimen
and educated in ways to prevent and manage potential side effects before
beginning any new treatment.
Clinical Trials
Today, cancer treatment is more effective and less toxic than ever before
because of clinical trials. At Lake Charles Memorial's Cancer Center,
we may recommend current clinical trials through regional research alliances
and affiliations such as M.D. Anderson, Houston Methodist, Baylor University
Medical Center, and LSU Health Shreveport.
Hormone Therapy
Hormones are proteins or substances made by the body that help to control
how certain types of cells work. Some cancers depend on hormones to grow.
Because of this, these cancers can sometimes be treated by using medicines
that block or alter a hormone. This can slow or stop the growth of the
cancers that depend on that hormone to grow. Hormone therapy is mostly
used to treat certain kinds of breast cancer and prostate cancer that
depend on sex hormones to grow.
Immunotherapy
When paired with chemotherapy, immunotherapy is changing the treatment
of cancer by harnessing the body's natural strength to fight cancer—empowering
the immune system to conquer more types of cancer. It uses substances
made by the body or in a laboratory to improve immune system function
which can help make the cancer cells more receptive to chemotherapy drugs.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation treatment can target and shrink tumors as well as kill cancer
cells. The Radiation Oncology Department at Lake Charles Memorial Health
System is the top facility for cancer treatment in southwest Louisiana,
and comparable to facilities in large metropolitan areas.
Our radiation oncology team utilizes advanced technologies and computerized
real-time positioning to more accurately pinpoint and destroy cancer cells
in less time and with fewer side effects.
Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology at Lake Charles Memorial involves the surgical removal
of tumors and masses. Surgery is used to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer,
and certain cancer-related symptoms. At Lake Charles Memorial, our experienced
surgeons have performed many procedures and will discuss the surgical
options that are best suited to your individual needs.
For many patients, surgery will be combined with other cancer treatments,
such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
LCMHS Cancer Center’s board-certified surgical staff continues to
add new and innovative surgical tools to its services. Robotic assisted
technology is a new, minimally invasive tool that addresses surgical challenges
and supports patient healing.
Other surgical options include image-guided stereotactic and sentinel node
breast cancer biopsy, breast-conversing lumpectomy, minimally invasive
lung and colorectal cancer surgery, and robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery.
Our radiation oncology team utilizes advanced technologies and computerized
real-time positioning to more accurately pinpoint and destroy cancer cells
in less time and with fewer side effects.
