Cancer Institute

Saint Francis Medical Center's Cancer Institute, affiliated with MD Anderson Cancer Network^TM, offers patients throughout the region comprehensive oncology services.

Staffed by compassionate cancer experts who include specialty physicians (certified by MD Anderson Cancer Network), oncology nurses, radiation therapists and other caregivers, the Cancer Institute utilizes advanced medicines, progressive therapies and state-of-the-art technology to successfully treat various forms of cancer. Additionally, often-needed prevention and support services are also offered to patients and their family members.

The Saint Francis Medical Center Cancer Institute has again earned reaccreditation with commendation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for 2011-2014. The Commission on Cancer (COC) is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care standards.

Saint Francis received the reaccreditation after a specially trained physician surveyor from the COC conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the scope and organization of the Cancer Institute. The surveyor rated compliance with standards of care and reviewed information on functionality within the Cancer Institute since its last reaccreditation three years ago.

Reaccreditation with commendation, which was awarded to Saint Francis, is only given to programs that comply with all standards of care and receive a commendation rating for one or more standard.

A Higher Level of Care

Saint Francis Medical Center is home to the region’s only dedicated Heart Hospital Cancer Institute where you will have access to advanced treatments and technology - under one convenient roof. The Cancer Institute is a fully integrated facility housing the most advanced cancer-fighting technology, including a permanent, dedicated P.E.T./CT, the region’s only CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, one of only three in the state and one of 150 in the world, and a 35-bay chemotherapy infusion center designed by patients.

CyberKnife^® Robotic Radiosurgery System

The Cancer Institute at Saint Francis Medical Center is the only facility in the region to offer the CyberKnife system. The system provides enhanced levels of treatment — and hope — for patients with inoperable or surgically complex tumors or those interested in a nonsurgical option.

The system delivers high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy to treat a broad range of tumors and conditions throughout the body, including:

Prostate
Lung
Brain
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
Trigeminal neuralgia
Spine
Liver
Pancreas
Kidney

The CyberKnife system provides superior targeting accuracy, safety and comfort for patients at levels unachievable with other treatment alternatives.

To learn more about the CyberKnife system or to request a brochure, contact Cape Radiation Oncology at 573-334-2230.

PET F18 Bone Survey - The New Standard in Bone Imaging

The PET F18 Bone Survey sets the new standard in bone imaging by helping capture high-definition bone images to more easily and accurately detect cancer that has metastasized or spread to the bone. As your leading source for the latest cancer-care advances, Saint Francis Medical Center is the only facility in the state to offer this exciting detection tool.

Benefits of the PET F18 Bone Survey include:
• Better image quality
• Improved clinical accuracy
• Enhanced patient comfort and convenience

The PET F18 Bone Survey is more easily tolerated by patients and requires less waiting time from injection to scan than a conventional bone scan (45 minutes versus three hours). The exam time itself is about 20 minutes, compared to an hour for a conventional bone scan. No patient preparation is required for this procedure, and it poses no greater risk than conventional X-rays.

For more information about the PET F18 Bone Survey, call the Saint Francis Cancer Institute at 573-334-2230.