Center for Cancer Care

CCC Radiation Oncologist

jthompson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:53:51 +0000

Our Physicians – Read Bios

State-of-the-Art Equipment

jthompson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:53:37 +0000

The Center’s equipment used for our services are unmatched in the region. Equipment includes:

Linear Accelerator

Hoyt A. “Tres” Childs, III, M.D.

jthompson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:53:18 +0000

Hoyt A. “Tres” Childs, III, M.D. Read Bio

Elizabeth Falkenberg, M.D.

jthompson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:58:25 +0000

Elizabeth Falkenberg, M.D. Read Bio

Noel Estopinal, M.D.

jthompson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:58:03 +0000

Noel Estopinal, M.D.F.A.C.R.O. Read Bio

H. James McCarty III, M.D.

jthompson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:56:55 +0000

Harry James McCarty III, M.D. Read Bio

Q: Why is Screening for cancer important?

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:16:05 +0000

A: Screening tests allow doctors to find cancer early before any symptoms are present. By discovering the cancer early, your chances of a cure are much higher than if it were found at a later stage.

Q: What are common symptoms of cancer?

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 01:15:35 +0000

A: You should see your doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur. But you should also know that the following symptoms may be associated with cancer:
changes in bowel or bladder habits, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or difficulty swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough or hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer. They can also be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Don’t wait to feel pain: Early cancer usually does not cause pain.

Q: What is Cancer?

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 01:04:59 +0000

A: Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and keep dividing and forming more cells without control or order. All organs of the body are made up of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads from the original (primary) tumor to form new tumors in other parts of the body.

The spread of cancer is called metastasis. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or the organ in which they begin. When cancer spreads, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if lung cancer spreads to the liver, the cancer cells in the liver are lung cancer cells. The disease is called metastatic lung cancer (it is not liver cancer).

Q: What kinds of treatment are available for cancer?

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:39:01 +0000

A: Cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy. Patients with cancer are often treated by a team of specialists, which may include a medical oncologist (specialist in cancer treatment), a surgeon, a radiation oncologist (specialist in radiation therapy), and others. The doctors may decide to use one treatment method or a combination of methods. The choice of treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, the patient’s age and general health, and other factors. Some cancer patients take part in a clinical trial (research study) using new treatment methods. Such studies are designed to improve cancer treatment.