Cancer Treatments

Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis

When it comes to cancer, an early diagnosis is often the most important aspect of long-term survivability. Diagnosing and staging cancer involves a multidisciplinary team of professionals that includes primary care physicians, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and others.

These professionals rely on advanced diagnostic procedures—ranging from blood work and biopsies to detailed MRI and CT scans—to help identify the type and stage of cancer.

Diagnostic services include:

• • • 1.5 TESLA Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
    • 3D Digital mammography
    • ABI-vascular testing
    • Bone densitometry (DEXA)
    • Breast MRI
    • Computed Tomography (CT) scan
    • Diagnostic and interventional radiology
    • Fluoroscopy
    • LDCT - Lung Screening
    • Nuclear medicine
    • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan
    • Radiology/Digital X-ray
    • Ultrasound

Effective cancer treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach. At UP Health System, we combine the expertise of specialists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and additional support services to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of these. Your involvement in the decision-making process is essential, and we prioritize open communication throughout your care.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses large doses of radiation to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation is directed to the affected area, minimizing damage to the surrounding skin and tissue.

Electrons are used to treat skin cancers and other superficial lesions, as they are absorbed by the first few centimeters of skin, leaving very little dose to pass into the body. Radiation therapy is used to both destroy cancer cells and alleviate the symptoms of cancer. There are several non-malignant conditions treated using radiation therapy.

Advantages of Radiation Therapy

Thanks to advances in radiation therapy technology, treatment is more precise than ever. Advantages of our radiation technology include:

• • • Quicker and more precise treatments allow us to target the tumor with a high level of accuracy while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.
    • Imaging techniques allow the radiation oncologist to closely track tumors before and during radiation, allowing for personalized treatment plan adjustments as needed.

Radiation therapy may be given alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy. Because each cancer type requires a different approach, each patient’s treatment plan is customized to their unique needs and treatment goals.

Equipment

• • • Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator
      • • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and RapidArc
        • Cone-Beam CT 3D image guidance (CBCT)
        • Electronic Portal Imaging and X-ray Imaging
        • 120 Multi-Leaf collimators
        • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
        • Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery
        • Respiratory Gating and Breath-Hold Treatment Capability
    • Toshiba Large Bore CT simulator with respiratory gating
    • Eclipse Treatment Planning Systems
    • ARIA Electronic Oncology Management System
    • AlignRT surface imaging (SGRT) for advance setup accuracy and monitoring
    • SpaceOAR
    • Xofigo

Hematology/Oncology

UP Health System - Marquette

UP Health System - Marquette Hematology/Oncology, a service of UP Health System - Marquette, is an outpatient clinic based in Marquette, Michigan. Beginning with a team of highly qualified physicians together with outstanding professional and technical/support staff, excellent oncologic and hematologic care is available to patients in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The physicians utilize national cancer clinical trials in their treatment regimens giving patients the opportunity to receive the most up to date therapy in the country. The physicians work together with the patient’s community physicians to ensure that the patient’s needs are met and throughout their duration of treatment, the patients are followed and monitored by a team of experts.

A multidisciplinary approach to providing care for the patients receiving services at UP Health System - Marquette Hematology/Oncology Clinic in Marquette is essential and is utilized in order to attain the best possible treatment plans and health outcomes for the patients served.

UP Health System - Portage

UP Health System - Portage Hematology/Oncology, a service of UP Health System - Portage, is an outpatient clinic based in Hancock, Michigan. Beginning with a team of highly qualified physicians together with outstanding professional and technical/support staff, excellent oncologic and hematologic care is available to patients in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Surgery

Using a unique team-based approach, the medical oncology team collaborates with UP Health System's radiologists, pathologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists to design a specific treatment plan for each patient. Under the medical oncologist's supervision, our oncology certified nurses administer chemotherapy and other supportive infusion services. Each patient is closely monitored to assess progress and treatment effectiveness.

Length of recovery depends on the type of procedure. If necessary, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery.

TAKE A LUNG HEALTH ASSESSMENT

TAKE A COLON HEALTH ASSESSMENT

TAKE A BREAST HEALTH ASSESSMENT