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Chemotherapy

Your medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with chemotherapy drugs) will create a personalized treatment plan for you based on national guidelines and his or her expertise and experience. Many different chemo drugs are available and are designed to treat specific cancers. Not all chemotherapy is the same, nor is one chemotherapy used to treat all cancers. Depending on the drug(s) your doctor prescribes, you may receive your chemo through an IV (intravenous), a pill, injections or a combination. Chemo may be used alone or with other treatments such as radiation or surgery.

Chemotherapy, or chemo, is a type of drugs that kills fast growing and dividing cells in your body, typically cancerous cells. It is used to kill cancer cells, relieve pain associated with the tumor or to slow growth of the tumor and extend your life. Many advances have been made in chemotherapy drugs that result in better cure rates and fewer side effects. Some side effects are mild and manageable; others can cause serious complications. Your doctor will explain the risks and benefits of your specific chemotherapy.

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Advanced Chemotherapy Treatments

We currently offer two forms of advanced chemotherapy

Molecularly Targeted Therapy

What is molecularly targeted therapy?

Cancer cells each carry specialized proteins or molecules that signal for the growth and division of the cells. Molecularly targeted agents are designed to block these specific molecules and prevent the messages telling the cell to grow or divide from being transmitted. This inhibits proliferation and replication of the cancer cells, ultimately resulting in their death. In most cases, each molecularly targeted agent is effective against a single protein or molecule. Specialized testing of the cancer cells helps physicians determine whether a particular cancer is likely to respond to the targeted agent based on the presence or absence of the target protein in or on the cells. Molecularly targeted agents can be used alone or in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapies.

What are the benefits of molecularly targeted therapy?

Unlike cytotoxic chemotherapy agents which are indiscriminate and kill all rapidly dividing cells including some healthy cells, molecularly targeted agents selectively kill only those cells carrying the target protein. Consequently, they effectively treat the cancer with significantly fewer side effects.

Why aren’t all cancers treated with molecularly targeted therapy?

Molecularly targeted therapies are relatively new in cancer treatment, and not all cancers carry a protein that is the target of the currently available drugs. Sophisticated testing of each patient’s cancer cells help the physician determine whether molecularly targeted therapy is an option for a particular patient.

Hormone or Endocrine Therapy

What is hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy represents another type of systemic cancer treatment. Hormones are chemicals that the body produces naturally such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. These chemicals signal for certain actions such as growth and division of different cells in the body.

How does hormone therapy work?

For a hormone to exert its effects on a cell, the cell must carry a specific protein or receptor on its surface. When that particular hormone is circulating near the receptor, it will bind to the receptor, sending a signal to the cell. In many cases, the presence of the hormones and the subsequent binding to the hormone receptors stimulates the cancer cells to grow. In general, hormone therapy works either to 1) lower the amount of hormone available to bind to the receptors or 2) prevent the hormones from acting on the receptor, thereby minimizing the growth and spread of the cancer.

For what types of cancer is hormone therapy generally used?

Hormone therapy is frequently used in the treatment of prostate and breast cancers.

What To Expect

If you are going to receive your chemo through an IV (intravenous or IV infusion), you may have a small surgery to put a port in so you won’t have to have an IV needle inserted into a vein every time you have a treatment. A port is a small metal disk about the size of a quarter that sits just under your skin. The port has a tiny tube that is inserted into a large vessel in your body to administer your chemotherapy and your supportive medications. Your port can be used to receive IV fluids, medications and also to draw your labs. Your healthcare team in the chemo infusion suite will discuss your port with you. The port will stay in until you finish treatments or until your doctor determines you no longer need the port, typically this occurs within six months to one year after the end of your treatment. Not all patients will receive a port and some patients may be encouraged to have a port placed in order to help maintain the quality of their veins.
When you arrive for chemo infusions, you will come to the chemo (or infusion) room. The room is designed to be warm and welcoming. We have comfortable recliners, blankets, space for a family member or a friend, snacks, drinks and a beautiful view of the mountains and wildlife.
Chemo treatments can take as little as a few minutes and up to hours and can continue over the course of a few days. Most patients receive their treatments in 2-4 hours. If your treatment takes days, you will be taking a portable pump home with you. Your doctor and your healthcare team will educate you on the pump and help you to feel comfortable at all times.
Chemo is given in cycles of active drug treatment followed by a resting period to give healthy tissue time to recover. The resting period may last as long as 2-3 weeks. Once a cycle is completed, it may be repeated a number of times based on your specific diagnosis and national guidelines for treating your cancer.
You will get drugs and fluids to help prevent side effects. Side effects from chemo may include fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, suppressed immune system, and mouth or throat sores. Your healthcare team will discuss these side effects with you, so you know what is expected and what is more urgent. If you ever have any question or concern about what is normal, please call our office. We want to be your partner in this journey to help your healing.
Our center offers a Community Resource Room for you, your family and friends. The room has two massage chairs, a stone fireplace, TV, internet access, puzzles, books and light snacks. It’s a great place to relax.

“They make sure I’m doing well mentally as well as physically. It’s almost like a second family.”
– Ryan

Talk To A Team Member Today

We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care but we hope you’ll choose us.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

307-235-5433

Surrounded by a team of cancer care experts

We’ve assembled a highly skilled team to take care of you. We are grateful that you trust us. We promise to treat you like we would want one of our beloved family members to be treated – our patients describe our cancer center as “like being home.”

You and your loved ones will probably have lots of questions when you’re first diagnosed. Keep a list of your questions and bring them to your appointments. Our knowledgeable staff will take the time to make sure you understand your diagnosis and treatment plan.

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We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care but we hope you’ll choose us.