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In the Fight Against Cancer, We Have All the Weapons
 The Cancer Center treats
nearly all forms of cancer. Each patient's care may include
one or all three major treatment modes - surgery, chemotherapy
and radiation. If a patient undergoes surgery to remove a cancer, chemotherapy and radiation may be used together or independently to prevent the spread of cancer or prevent a reoccurrence. A medical-surgical unit serves inpatients for specific treatment of women's surgeries including gynecological and breast cancer patients. The unit also serves inpatients needing inpatient chemotherapy, inpatient radiotherapy and patients experiencing side effects of their treatment or disease process that require hospitalization.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation targets small, localized concentrations of cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy cells and tissue. Treatments are prescribed by board certified radiation oncology physicians and administered by certified radiation therapists. A certified radiation physicist ensures that treatments are planned and delivered consistently and accurately. Radiation is delivered through two linear accelerators which generate high energy x-ray beams of radiation to destroy cancers.
IMRT
A
state-of-the-art Seimens Primus High-Energy Linear Accelerator
is used to deliver intensity-modulated radiation therapy
(IMRT). This technology delivers thin, shaped beams of
radiation that vary in intensity. The system can also
generate high resolution 3-D images that help doctors target
tumors from several angles. The Cancer Center at
Columbus Regional Hospital is the first hospital in Southern
Indiana to offer an advanced therapy to treat cancer patients
needing radiation treatment. IMRT is ideal for any
cancer in close proximity to critical organs, but is most
widely used in the treatment of prostate cancer and cancers of the head and neck.
Click here to learn more about IMRT and answers to frequently asked questions.
Brachytherapy
In addition to external beam radiation, The Cancer Center also offers multiple radioactive source and seed implant treatments. This type of radiation is called brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is a time tested and safe method that allows physicians to treat selected tumors with greater precision and less trauma. These procedures give physicians and patients the significant advantage of applying a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue and surrounding organs. Brachytherapy uses a radioactive source, or seed to eliminate cancerous cells. The seed may be permanently implanted in the affected organ or tissue, or may be removed after a length of time in which the desired radiation dose is obtained. Some of the most common sites for radiation source or seed implant are prostate, cervix, lung and other gynecologic tissue. Brachytherapy can be used alone or combined with other treatment modalities, such as external beam radiation.
Medical Oncology
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It attacks cancer cells that are present throughout a patient's body by interfering with their growth and ability to multiply at one or more points in their life cycle. Chemotherapy may use one drug or a combination of several drugs; they can be administered intravenously (IV); by mouth in a pill, capsule, or liquid form; into a muscle (intramuscularly, IM); or under the skin (subcutaneously, SQ). Chemotherapy may also be delivered into the spinal fluid (intrathecal, IT) or into the abdomen, pelvis or chest by an intracavitary (IC) catheter. Chemotherapy treatments are prescribed by a board certified medical oncologist and administered by certified oncology nurses.
Interdisciplinary Team Approach
Other service providers make up the interdisciplinary team that plays an important role in treating the cancer patient. Each discipline may attend patient care rounds and participate in the bi-monthly tumor board conferences where cases are presented for questions, discussion and learning regarding pre-treatment evaluation, staging of the disease, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer cases.
Social Work Services
An oncology social worker assesses a patient's needs in order to provide an individualized program that addresses the physical and emotional needs of the patient and family. The assessment assists the Cancer Care teams by providing a comprehensive understanding of the patient's and family's response to the illness. Clinical Nutrition Services
A Registered Dietitian provides a nutrition assessment, consults, and patient education. Nutrition therapy is also provided by a Registered Dietitian.
Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation services are provided by physician specialists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, social workers, case managers, psychologists, a chaplain and activity coordinators.
Support Groups
There are two support groups available to cancer patients and families.
Cancer Support Group-Just for Me, call (812) 375-3326 for more information.
Breast Cancer Support Group, call (812) 376-5547 or click here.
Hospice Care
Hospice of South Central Indiana provides skilled medical and supportive services to terminally ill patients and their families in a 14 county area in south central Indiana. Hospice care begins when curative treatment is no longer expected to be effective. Hospice care focuses on comfort, support, and dignity during the last phase of life.
Tumor Board Conferences
Tumor Board Conference provides a forum for discussions, questions, and learning for the medical staff and allied healthcare professionals. Representatives from various disciplines meet bi-monthly to express opinions regarding pre-treatment evaluation, staging of the disease, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer cases.
Cancer Registry
The Cancer Registry maintains important data for all cancer cases diagnosed and/or treated at Columbus Regional Hospital. The Registry has a 98.8% successful follow up rate, based on standards established by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer. The Cancer Center participates in the Community Cancer Care Registry Consortium, which allows Columbus Regional Hospital to participate in the Rocky Mountain Cancer Data System.
Screening and Community Education
Early detection significantly increases your chances at successful treatment of cancer. To help you, The Cancer Center annually hosts free screenings. A skin cancer screening is generally held in the spring and a prostate screening is generally held in the fall.
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