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A Commission on Cancer approved program, Southeast Alabama Medical Center provides compassionate, attentive care for more than 800 newly diagnosed cancer patients each year as well as recurrent cancer patients with ongoing treatment needs.

 

An experienced team of board certified physician specialists and oncology professionals provide an array of state of the art cancer diagnosis and treatment options to meet the wide ranging needs of cancer patients and their families. Our services include:

• Radiation Oncology Center

• Surgical Oncology

• Medical Oncology

• Breast Cancer Services

• Lymphedema Services

• Other Cancer Services

• Support & Survivorship Programs

For more information about Cancer Services at SAMC, call 334-793-8081

Radiology Oncology

For more than 15 years, the Southeast Cancer Center at Southeast Alabama Medical Center has provided compassionate, experienced care to thousands of patients. Our state-of-the-art radiation therapy facility is staffed by board-certified radiation oncologists leading a team of experienced professionals including certified medical physicists, certified medical dosimeterists, certified radiation therapists and registered nurses certified by the Oncology Nursing Society.

The SAMC Cancer Center offers a full array of the latest radiation treatment technologies including therapies that deliver maximum doses of radiation with a decreased risk of side effects. Radiation Treatment at SAMC Cancer Center include:

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), an intense, controlled dose of radiation that allows treatment in sensitive areas by delivering high doses of radiation in a very precise way while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), a single large radiation treatment in which the radiation beams are aimed with high precision due to the very high doses involved.

Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy (LDR), a treatment that requires the radiation source to be permanently inserted into the patient and delivers radiation slowly. A common example of LDR is prostate seed implants. These radioactive implants treat prostate cancer and usually result in fewer side effects such as urinary incontinence and impotence.

High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR), a treatment that involves temporarily inserting the source of radiation directly at or very near a tumor site, also limits the amount of healthy tissue exposed to radiation. An example of HDR is MammoSite, a revolutionary method used to treat patients with early stage breast cancer by delivering radiation directly to the site of a breast tumor following a lumpectomy.

For more information about radiation therapy treatments available at SAMC, call (334) 793-8081.

Surgical Oncology

Patients at Southeast Alabama Medical Center can be assured they are receiving state-of-the-art surgical oncology technology. Our surgical program includes the da Vinci® Surgical System, also known as the da Vinci Robot, which is used to perform prostatectomies and certain gynelogical procedures. Our surgical specialists offer other important surgical procedures for cancer patients such as breast reconstruction, prostate seed implant surgery and minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat a variety of cancers.

Medical Oncology

SAMC offers inpatient and outpatient medical oncology care including a 42-bed medical oncology unit providing advanced care for cancer patients. Services include therapy, radiation procedures and symptom management as well as inpatient hospice care.

All of the unit’s registered nursing staff are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society and several staff members are also certified as hospice and palliative care nurses.

Outpatient medical oncology services include an infusion suite for chemotherapy and hormone therapy services. This service is provided by Oncology certified nurses with advanced chemotherapy training.

For more information about medical oncology services available at SAMC or for a list of medical oncologists practicing at SAMC, call (334) 793-8081.

Breast Cancer Services

The Women’s Imaging Center at SAMC offers state of the art detection of breast cancer and related diseases in a manner sensitive to the complex needs of women. Specific diagnostic services include:

Screening/Diagnostic Mammography: Low-dose X-rays taken by certified technologists and interpreted by board-certified radiologists.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A special imaging technique used to view internal structures of the body, particularly the soft tissues, creating an image superior to a normal X-ray. An MRI can increase the accuracy of diagnosing breast cancer. It supplements mammography and ultrasound and can be used in women whose breast cancer has already been diagnosed to help determine the extent of the disease, assist with treatment planning or monitor the patient’s response to treatment therapies.

Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves and ultrasound images are used to diagnose cystic disease.

Fine needle aspiration: Non-surgical removal of a small number of individual cells with a thin needle, performed with the assistance of ultrasound imaging.

Stereotactic biopsy: Minimally invasive biopsy that provides highly accurate diagnosis of breast tissue. An outpatient procedure, this computer-guided biopsy allows for large tissue sampling in a targeted area through a single, small incision with local anesthesia to minimize discomfort.

Core biopsy: Uses a needle-like device that allows multiple, small cones of tissue to be removed and then sent to a board certified pathologist for diagnosis.

Surgical biopsy: Removes a mass while under local anesthesia if the lump can be felt. A needle-directed or seed biopsy is performed for lumps that cannot be felt. During this procedure you will have an incision and some stitches.

Lymphedema Services

Lymphedema is a malfunction of the lymphatic system causing an increase in the amount of lymphatic fluid in the body which results in swelling. Lymphedema most often occurs in patients who have had lymph nodes in the upper torso or groin area removed due to treatment of breast, gynecological, prostate, testicular or colon cancer.

Southeast Alabama Medical Center’s Lymphedema Services provide therapy for patients with lymphedema to help decrease swelling, maintain range of motion and prevent infection. Services are performed by therapists certified in the treatment of lymphedema, depending on the severity, treatment may include:

    * Manual lymph drainage, a gentle massage technique which improves the activity of the lymph vessels and re-routes the lymph flow.
    * Compression therapy, the use of multi-layered bandages to increase tissue pressure.  
    * Exercises, designed to help reduce swelling and usually performed by the patient while wearing compression bandages.  
    * Skin care, including education about proper skin and nail care to reduce the risk of infection, a very common and serious complication of lymphedema.

Other Cancer Services

Clinical Trials (Cancer Research) - Since 2003 SAMC has participated in cancer research trials. By offering clinical trials to patients, SAMC offers the latest treatment options available. In fact, patients in trials may have the chance to receive a treatment that has shown promise but is not commercially available. SAMC currently offers trials for chemotherapy, radiation and numerous tumor sites including head and neck cancers and lung cancer.

Advanced Cancer Diagnostics - In addition to a full-range of breast cancer diagnostics, Southeast Alabama Medical Center also offers advanced diagnostics for other cancer sites as well. Currently, SAMC is the only hospital in the area offering its patients one of the most advanced imaging precedures for cancer detection – PET/CT, a technology that fuses together Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) allowing for precise treatment and follow-up monitoring of cancer patients. For more information about cancer diagnostic procedures at SAMC, call (334) 793-8081.

COC-Approved Program

The commission on Cancer officially recognizes SAMC's Cancer Services as an approved oncology program. Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer receives this special approval which recognizes the quality of cancer care available at a facility. Specifically, SAMC’s COC approval ensures patients will receive:

    * Comprehensive cancer care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
    * A multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the latest treatment options available to cancer patients.
    * Access to cancer-related information, education and support.
    * A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results, and offers life long patient followup.
    * Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
    * Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
    * Quality care, close to home.

Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the most advanced diagnosis and treatment of cancers. To meet the standards necessary for Commission approval, each cancer program, and the organization that controls it, must undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of its performance. In order to maintain approval, facilities with approved cancer programs must under go an on site review every three years.

Southeast Cancer Screening Program

It is with great pleasure that we announce the launching of the Southeast Regional Cancer Screening Program. The program, which has been designated as a pilot program by Gov. Bob Riley, has generated statewide interest and support from healthcare agencies.

Partners in the planning and development of the program are the Southern Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA), the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, Coffee County Family Services Center, the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the United States Department of Agriculture, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and U.S. Rep. Terry Everett and his wife, Barbara.

Traveling throughout the seven southeast counties of the state, the program is administered through a 40-foot mobile medical vehicle that is equipped with a mammography suite, lab area and education area. The 38 SARCOA senior citizen centers will be service sites, as well as community centers, health fairs and churches. Screening mammograms, PSA blood tests, fecal occult blood screening, BRCA I and II testing and health education programs will be conducted at all service sites through the medical vehicle. The screening program also includes blood glucose and cholesterol testing for referral to our heart and vascular screening program.

At Southeast Alabama Medical Center, we strive to be the leader in healthcare for the wiregrass region. This screening program is a logical outreach to individuals who need our services, but lack the opportunity to come to our campus. By offering the same excellence in care at a convenient location, we can share our resources and promote wellness for all those we serve. If you have any questions about the screening program, please feel free to contact Southeast Cancer Center at 334-793-8080.