Medical Oncology & Chemo Infusion Services

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A medical oncologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer. Your medical oncologist will review your medical history, conduct physical exams and order diagnostic tests to determine your exact diagnosis, including the stage of your cancer.

Your medical oncologist will work with you to customize your cancer treatment plan, and may refer you to a surgeon, radiation oncologist or any other specialist you need. This specialist will also manage any side effects you experience.

Chemotherapy uses chemicals to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery to destroy surrounding tissue after a tumor is removed.

Chemotherapy Infusion Services
Infusion therapy involves the administration of chemotherapy and other special medications through a needle or catheter by certified registered nurses under the direction of onsite medical oncologists.

When you receive an IV chemotherapy treatment at Northwest Health - La Porte, you receive more than medication. Our patients are able to interact among others and share emotions, common interests and life experiences. Patients encourage, support and applaud one another.

Depending upon the recommended treatment, chemotherapy infusion may take from 20 minutes to several hours. Treatment may be needed daily, weekly or monthly. Treatment occurs on an outpatient basis.

Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy may also be used as part of your treatment plan. Hormones can kill cancer cells, or slow or stop their growth. Physicians can prescribe medications that affect the activity or production of hormones, or may surgically remove a gland that produces hormones.

Cold Cap Therapy
One of the more common side effects of chemotherapy is hair thinning or loss. Cold cap therapy works to prevent hair thinning or loss by cooling the scalp and reducing blood flow to the hair follicles.

Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses a person's own immune system to fight against cancer by enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognize, target and eliminate cancer cells, wherever they are in the body.

Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide and spread.