Oncology

For most people, cancer treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy or biotherapy. Other procedures, such as biopsies, can be used to diagnose cancer, ease pain, relieve side effects and support related procedures, such as inserting a chemotherapy port or reconstructing damaged tissue.

Your team of doctors will hold biweekly conferences to review the details of your care, offer expert opinions, map out your treatment plan and monitor your progress.

Cancer surgery

Surgery is the most common cancer treatment and is often used as a preventive measure to keep cancers from growing. We leverage our extensive experience and minimally invasive technologies to help reduce scarring and speed up your recovery. Your surgical cancer treatment may include:

• Minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures, such as:
  • Chemoembolization — Injects chemotherapy into a tumor
  • Cryoablation techniques — Distributes extreme cold to eliminate cancer cells
  • High-heat microwave ablation — Uses microwaves to eliminate cancer cells
  • Radioembolization — Administers radio particles into a tumor
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) — Emits high-frequency electrical currents to eliminate cancer cells
  • RFA-assisted resection — Combines RFA with tissue or partial organ removal
• Neurosurgery at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
• Reconstructive surgery, including alternatives to a total mastectomy

Chemotherapy and biotherapy

Chemotherapy and biotherapy use powerful medications to treat cancer by destroying cells or stopping them from growing. Before treatment, you’ll receive chemotherapy education personalized to your unique condition. Depending on your unique care plan, we can deliver these medications in variety of ways, including using infusion therapy. We can also do therapies intra-arterially, intravenously and orally.

Combined treatments

We often combine surgery and chemotherapy with the following therapies to eliminate cancer cells:

• Adjuvant therapy — Combines chemotherapy with surgery or radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy — Provides medication to stimulate the immune system
• Neoadjuvant therapy — Used before surgery to reduce the size of a tumor and improve outcomes

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses beams of energy to destroy cancer cells. We may recommend radiation therapy with other forms of cancer treatment, such as surgery.

Accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and recognized by the ACS' Commission on Cancer, we provide a complete range of cancer care resources, including:

• Cancer-fighting expertise — Standards of care that consistently surpass state and national averages
• Community connection — Participation in community events, health fairs, support groups, workshops and wellness programs
• Family history of cancer resources — Introductory information and referrals for genetic counseling and testing to help you understand and manage your risks
• Lymphedema support — Improved cancer recovery through lymphedema treatment
• Powerful communication network — Access to your medical records, diagnostic images and test results from anywhere within our network
• Rehabilitation and recovery — Extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to facilitate your recovery from surgery and return to daily activities

Oncology nurse navigators

To speak with a nurse navigator, contact our southern New Hampshire offices:

• Derry: (603) 537-2060
• Salem: (603) 890-2750

Your oncology nurse navigator is your advocate, reinforcing and supporting your relationship with your physician. Our oncology nurse navigators will help you and your family members by:

• Advocating for your needs and linking you with cancer support resources
• Coordinating office visits across medical disciplines to streamline cancer care delivery
• Facilitating communication between all members of the healthcare team
• Helping you make informed decisions about your care
• Offering a personal touch to cancer care by visiting you at appointments, assessing your needs and relaying relevant information to providers
• Organizing multidisciplinary team conferences to promote collaboration in cancer treatment
• Providing education on disease processes and treatment options
• Serving as a reliable and trusted source with answers to any questions