Cancer Treatment

Cancer care, designed for you.

At CoxHealth, we provide a treatment plan that is as individual as you are, based on your needs. Our medical oncologists in Springfield and Branson care for patients with all cancer types, including breast, colon, lung, prostate, and lymphoma. They'll coordinate your care with surgeons, radiation oncologists, and any other specialists you need.

What determines your cancer treatment plan?

Certain types of cancer respond very differently to different treatments, so knowing the type of cancer you have is a vital first step. Your cancer's stage, or how widespread it is, also shapes your treatment, since early-stage cancers respond to different therapies than later-stage cancers. Your overall health, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences all help guide which options are right for you.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's your right to know what treatments are most likely to help you and what their side effects may be.

Types of Cancer Treatment

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  Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy is treatment with powerful medicine that is most often given by mouth or by injection. Chemotherapy drugs can treat cancers that have spread throughout your body.

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  Radiation Therapy

  Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and is used in more than half of all cancer cases.

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  Cancer Clinical Trials

  CoxHealth partners with Cancer Research for the Ozarks to give patients access to national clinical trials of the newest cancer therapies.

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Cancer Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be a good option for cancer diagnosis and treatment. If your doctor suggests surgery as part of your treatment, it may be one of these surgery types:

Curative surgery

Curative surgery is done to remove a tumor when it appears to be confined to one area, and when there is a possibility of removing all of the cancerous tissue.

Debulking (cytoreductive) surgery

Debulking (or cytoreductive) surgery sometimes occurs when removing a tumor entirely would cause too much damage to your surrounding organs. In these cases, your doctor may remove as much of the tumor as possible and then treat the remaining tumor cells with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Diagnostic biopsy surgery

Diagnostic biopsy surgery is used to get a tissue sample to identify your specific cancer and make a diagnosis.

Preventive (prophylactic) surgery

Preventive (or prophylactic) surgery is done to remove body tissue that is not cancerous but is likely to become cancerous.

Staging surgery

Staging surgery helps determine the extent and the amount of disease.

Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

CoxHealth's dietitians can help make sure you're getting the nutrition you need throughout your therapy. The right food choices can often control, and sometimes prevent, the side effects of your cancer treatment. Working with one of our dietitians, you'll learn how to get the best nutritional value from your diet and how to prepare meals that offer optimal nutrition. Our dietitians will help you build a nutrition plan that fits your needs and works with your medications, treatments, and food preferences. We'll monitor your nutritional status to make sure you're meeting your needs during this time.

If you or your care team feel you need to consult with a dietitian during your treatment, your physician may order a consultation. Talk to your physician to learn more.