Pastoral Care
Chaplains and others provide spiritual and emotional support, comfort, and guidance to patients and families Nutritional Counseling
Dieticians and other experts can assist patients with ideas for meal selection, during and following treatment, and provide consultation on nutritional supplements, if appropriate Hospice
Compassionate staff and volunteers work with patient families in their homes when the end of life is imminent. The goal is patient comfort and family support Education
Experts will help patients and families learn about cancer, treatment options and their ramifications, recovery, and more Library Services
The St. Mary’s of Michigan library can provide technical and practical information from a large array of print and online resources Social Work
Experts can assist patients and families with insurance, financial, and home care issues. They are knowledgeable about government and community-based agencies and can make referrals Cancer Registry
A means of recording data that enable us to evaluate the results of our diagnostic and therapeutic efforts and continuously improve the care of cancer patients Support Groups
Various groups are available to help patients and their loved ones face the physical and emotional challenges of cancer Rehabilitation
Experts will help patients with pain, swelling, mobility issues, wound care, colostomy care, and special skin care needs Chemotherapy
the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells 3D treatment planning
sophisticated computer software that helps us determine the exact volume, shape, and location of tumors Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
the newest radiation treatment equipment that allow us to change the intensity of the radiation beams. This may help us provide treatment for previously untreatable cancers because it improves our ability to focus on the cancerous cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue. CyberKnife Stereotactic radiosurgery
a method of delivering small beams of high dosage radiation for treating small cancers instead of surgically removing the cancer Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
( such as B-mode acquisition and targeting (BAT)) Cancer treatment ultrasound that allows us to more accurately locate some cancerous sites on a daily basis thereby reducing side effects. This is especially important for prostate cancer because its location varies greatly depending on the fullness of the bladder and rectum
• External beam radiotherapy -- the most common form of radiation therapy where a patient lies on a couch and an external source radiation is pointed at a particular part of the body External beam radiotherapy
the most common form of radiation therapy where a patient lies on a couch and an external source radiation is pointed at a particular part of the body High dose rate (HDR) and low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy
such as mammosite (breast) and gliasite (brain) are methods of delivering radiation by inserting a radioactive source temporarily into the body through a tube or balloon that is placed near the cancer Prostate seed implants
a method of delivering radiation to the prostate by implanting permanent radioactive seeds into the prostate. The seeds slowly radiate the cancer over a long period of time Oncology Research/ Clinical Trials
Offering patients participation in investigational and symptom management studies designed to determine ways to best prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer. There are usually over 100 clinical trials available at any one time through St. Marys of Michigan Seton Cancer Institute who participates through the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium in order to have access to Nationally recognized clinical trials. IGRT
is the new gold standard for Radiation Oncology delivery. IGRT stands for Image Guided Radiation Therapy. It is the visualization, prior to each radiation treatment, of critical structures, tumor and/or anatomical structures to verify their exact position so that the beam(s) can be adjusted daily. Massage Therapy
The benefits of massage therapy for cancer patient may include: pain reduction, decreased anxiety, stimulation of the lymphatic system, reduced muscle tension, and a decrease in depression. Treatment
is the process of applying radiation to a tumor site or bed utilizing a number of different methods. Two broad terms describe treatment. Teletherapy is the process of radiating a tumor from the outside utilizing an external beam machine called a linear accelerator. Our linear accelerators can be further described as TomoTherapy, Primus, Artiste' and CyberKnife. The second form of treatment delivery is Brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is the process of treating the tumor from the inside out utilizing a High Intensity method called HDR (High Dose Rate) or low intensity method called low dose rate such as Prostate seed implant or cesium treatment. Radiation treatment involves using one of these methods or a combination to better treat a person's tumor. Prevention
is the process of being proactive in avoiding the environmental factors that contribute to cancer developing. St. Mary's of Michigan has numerous prevention programs like quit smoking, exercise, and dietary programs to assist the community. Consultations and follow-up
is the process of meeting with an Oncology Specialist to discuss your diagnostic scans, tumor size, location of your cancer, etc. to help you know the best options for treatment. A Radiation Oncologists is a specialist in delivering radiation. A Medical Oncologist is a specialist in utilizing drugs for treatment called Chemotherapy. A Surgical Oncologist is a surgeon that has specialized in the removal of cancerous tumors. A consultation with several specialists is not uncommon and actually is encouraged so that the patient can make an educated decision on the best treatment for them.
Follow-up
is the process of continuing to see your cancer doctor after the treatments are finished for weeks, months and even years to make sure the cancer has not returned and to address side effects that may be present from damage caused by the tumor or the treatment.
Cancer RehabilitationCancer Rehabilitation focuses on restoring physical function and independence that may change through cancer treatements including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Our program is the first in the area to provide a team approach to the unique physican and emotional needs of cancer patients. Click here to read more about our Cancer Rehab program
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