Mile High Oncology

Chemotherapy (chemo) is the delivery of cancer-killing drugs intravenously (into a vein) or by mouth. These drugs travel through the bloodstream to cancer cells throughout the body. Generally, chemo is given in rounds, with each one followed by a recovery period.

Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink large tumors or, after surgery, to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind.

Chemo treatments are given in our office by our oncology-certified nurses. We provide a comfortable setting for patients and encourage them to bring family or friends for company and support during their sessions.

Each patient consults with their doctor to become familiar with the individual treatment plan created specifically to treat their type of cancer. Patients can expect to be informed of potential side effects, how we can help reduce or relieve them, the length of individual chemo sessions and how long the course of treatment will last.

Throughout treatment, we use:

• Blood tests
• CT scans
• MRI
• PET scans
• Radiology tests
• Tumor markers to monitor patient response to therapy

As scientists learn more about gene and protein changes in cancer-causing cells, they have developed newer drugs targeting these changes. These targeted therapies work differently from standard chemotherapy, and they often have less severe side effects. Currently, targeted therapies are often used along with chemotherapy or in place of chemo if it is no longer working.

Radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays, particles or radioactive seeds to disrupt cancer cells' DNA, preventing cancer cells from growing and dividing.

Because radiation is most harmful to fast-growing cells like cancer cells, it’s more damaging to them than to normal cells.

Radiation therapy is used to combat many kinds of cancer. It can shrink a tumor before surgery to make the operation more successful, or it may be administered after surgery to prevent recurrence of the cancer. For some types of cancer, radiation is the only necessary treatment. In other cases, radiation may be combined with chemotherapy, surgery or other treatments.

Radiation therapy is given in two ways. External beam radiation, the most common form, uses a machine to focus the radiation on the area affected by the cancer. Treatments are generally given five days a week for one to 10 weeks, depending on the size and type of cancer. External beam radiation is painless and only takes a few minutes. In brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation, radioactive seeds are placed directly into or adjacent to the cancerous tissues.

Complementary and integrated therapies may be used to achieve overall well-being. Patients may use these therapies to address the disease, control treatment symptoms, or improve their quality of life.

Keep in mind that these treatments may not have undergone the same rigorous scientific testing as more conventional treatments. However, integrated therapy is constantly changing, and some therapies are becoming widely accepted.

Complementary treatments are used alongside more conventional therapies recommended by health care professionals. With integrated therapy, a patient's health care provider treats them with a combination of therapies to form a holistic treatment plan.

Complementary medicine can include:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care and massage therapy
• Homeopathy
• Meditation
• Vitamins, herbs and other dietary supplements
• Yoga