Treatments and Therapies

Depending upon the type of cancer and how advanced it is, your doctor may recommend one or more of the types of treatment listed below. The treatment regimen will also depend upon the goals of treatment: to cure the cancer, to control the cancer, or to relieve symptoms that the cancer may cause.

Medical Oncology
Medical Oncology (Chemotherapy) is the administration of medicine to reduce the number of cancer cells. The administration of medications can be oral, by injection, by IV infusion or applied directly on the skin. Frequently patients receive a combination of 2 or more of these.

Surgical Oncology
Surgery has been a major component of cancer therapy for many years. Recent technological advances have made surgical treatment an excellent option for many people diagnosed with cancer. At Saints Medical Center's Cancer Center, our health care team includes surgeons with experience in all areas of cancer surgery. To find a physician, please call our physician referral line at 978-934-8437 Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 5 pm.

Radiation Oncology
Radiation therapy is the treatment of disease using penetrating beams of high-energy waves or streams of particles called radiation. The radiation used for cancer treatment comes from special machines or from radioactive substances. Radiation therapy equipment aims specific amounts of the radiation at tumors or areas of the body where there is disease.

Calypso 4D Localization System
Using state-of-the-art technology, doctors at Saints Medical Center can now treat prostate cancer with increased precision and efficiency. In June, Saints became the first cancer facility in New England to offer patients treatment with the Calypso® 4D Localization System™,  the very latest image-guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer with continuous organ-motion detection and advanced monitoring. The key feature of the Calypso System is its electromagnetic transponders. Each tiny device – the size of a small grain of rice, is implanted in the patient’s prostate before treatment begins and sends coordinates to a computer, which continuously monitors the position of the prostate. The system detects movement of less than a millimeter, and if the prostate is not properly aligned, clinicians adjust the radiation beam so it remains on target. As a result, it makes prostate cancer therapy more accurate, reduces radiation exposure and takes less time for treatment.

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Saints Medical Center offers a new technology at the forefront of an exciting era in cancer treatment. Image Guided Radiation Therapy can be delivered directly to the tumor with more precision and speed that ever before possible. This added accuracy will allow Saints radiologists to treat tumors based on its precise location of the body at the exact moment of treatment. The technology is gaining momentum globally to combat cancers affecting the brain, pancreas, prostate, head, neck and in gynecological applications.

Hereditary Cancer Genetic Program
Patients and family members may be tested for genetic factors linked to an increased risk of cancer. Visits include education, testing, and/or referral to other medical specialists. A detailed family history (3 generations) will be completed on the first visit. Patients who want to continue the process, have a simple blood test. The results are discussed with the patient and follow-up counseling is done. Most insurance companies cover genetic testing, with prior approval. For more information on this program, please call 978-934-8425.

Physical Therapy
Saints provides a variety of treatment interventions focusing on improving and maintaining functional abilities and independence. Exercise programs are designed to increase flexibility, improve strength and endurance and maximize cardiovascular fitness. Emphasis is placed on pain control by exercise and relaxation techniques. Patients who have had a mastectomy are provided with lymphedema control through exercise to increase strength and range of motion.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy offers a wide range of services to help patients remain independent and perform life skills such as dressing, eating, hygiene, writing, cooking, homemaking and leisure tasks. Instructions are provided on techniques that help to maintain strength, tolerance and activity while undergoing cancer treatment. The use of adaptive equipment and/or modifications in the living environment allows patients to remain independent.

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is available for cancer patients with difficulty swallowing, communication disorders and post laryngectomy. Video fluoroscopic examinations are available for patients experiencing dysphasia (difficulty swallowing). Evaluations help identify appropriate food consistencies, develop nutritional strategies and positioning techniques. Patient and family education is provided regarding alternative modes of communication and selection of appropriate devices.

Dietary Counseling
Registered dietitians provide counseling for cancer patients who need nutritional support, weight management, assistance with mechanical swallowing problems and symptom control through diet. Suggestions can include high protein, high calorie diets, special feedings and nutritional assessments.

Pain Management
The Pain Management Center at Saints is a multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic designed to help cancer patients manage chronic pain in many ways, including the use of narcotic pump medications, nerve blocks and the most recent advances such as radio frequency injection therapy. Other areas of pain management include physical therapy and psychological support to increase physical activity or by providing viable ways to better cope with cancer-related pain.