At Scripps Mercy Hospital, our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists works together to coordinate the patient’s care. Dedicated to serving each patient’s needs, this team includes board certified physicians and surgeons, anesthesiologists, palliative care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, oncology-certified registered nurses, pharmacists and technicians. Our patients also have access to case managers, discharge planners, home health nurses, chaplains and hospice nurses, so emotional and spiritual issues can be addressed as well as care planning for their return home.

Because we believe that patients should be intimately involved in the health care they receive, our caring physicians collaborate with them to determine the best course of treatment for each patient’s specific needs. An important component of Scripps Mercy’s cancer services is the Tumor Board, which comprises cancer specialists who review cancer cases to help determine appropriate treatment. Available treatment options include traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, as well as innovative biotherapy and brachytherapy.

The Tumor Board is a weekly meeting of cancer experts, including surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, research nurses and palliative care specialists. The board reviews the pathology and progress of cancer patients and discusses treatment and management options. This review serves as a second opinion and helps to ensure that each plan of care is tailored to the patient’s specific needs.

For the patient’s convenience, radiation therapy is offered at several locations near the hospital campuses. Highly skilled radiation oncologists and technicians work together to carefully deliver the precise radiation dosage needed. In some cases, patients might receive brachytherapy, a specialized form of radiation therapy in which radioactive seeds are placed in or near the tumor to specifically target cancerous cells with a high dose of radiation while reducing the radiation exposure in the surrounding healthy tissues.

Biotherapy involves injecting substances designed to produce specific biological reactions in the body. In addition to targeting the cancer cells, biotherapy stimulates or restores the immune system’s ability to fight cancer and lessens certain side effects that might be caused by cancer treatment.

Surgery

When surgery is necessary, our team of specialists provides complete surgical care. Our oncology surgeons have expertise in the most advanced surgical technologies, including minimally invasive surgery, and our anesthesiologists are experts in pain management, helping to minimize discomfort. When appropriate, our plastic and reconstructive surgeons can provide excellent cosmetic results following cancer removal.

One surgical option your physician may recommend is robot-assisted surgery. The Scripps Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Program offers cardiothoracic, gynecologic, urologic and general surgery procedures to treat cancer. While traditional open surgery requires long incisions and invasive tissue disruptions, robotic surgery is performed through tiny incisions with minimal impact to the surrounding areas. Compared to traditional surgeries, robotic procedures offer a number of advantages including less blood loss, less scarring and quicker recoveries.

When You Need to Know

The first step in providing quality cancer care is making a definitive diagnosis. At Scripps Mercy Hospital, our Imaging Services team uses state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated equipment to give physicians the information necessary for an initial or confirming diagnosis, cancer staging, real-time treatments and follow-up monitoring. We are one of the first hospitals in the nation with completely filmless capabilities, allowing physicians to quickly access imaging results so treatment can quickly begin.

Leading-Edge Clinical Trials

As part of Scripps Health, Scripps Mercy Hospital’s cancer patients have access to numerous clinical trials. Scripps is currently conducting clinical trials on various types of cancers, including breast, colorectal, lung, prostate and melanoma. To learn more about available clinical trials, please visit our website or call 1-800-995-4200.

We’re Here to Help You

A cancer diagnosis can be very overwhelming to both patients and family members. Fortunately, today’s advanced treatments can save lives. To learn more about cancer services at Scripps Mercy Hospital or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-SCRIPPS.