Working Together Works WondersA diagnosis of cancer is one of life's most difficult challenges. But you don't have to face it alone. Baptist-South Miami Regional Cancer Program is designed to support you and your family every step of the way, with highly skilled health care professionals working together with you to fight the disease.
Cancer patients and their families have many choices to make. Our staff will keep you up to date on the latest treatment options and encourage your participation in the decision-making process.
We welcome your personal insights, as well. Time and again, in support groups, individual consultations or casual conversations, the courage and humor of our patients and their families are an extraordinary source of hope and inspiration.
A network of highly skilled professionals
We combine the professional resources of Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children's Hospital and South Miami Hospital to assure the highest-quality cancer care -- beginning with physicians, who meet strict requirements regarding medical education and experience. Our oncology nurses are trained in both the medical and emotional aspects of cancer. They are joined by technologists, dietitians, social workers, interdenominational chaplains, pharmacists, therapists and other professionals, all working with you, the most important member of the cancer-care team.
The Regional Cancer Program is a network of facilities and services. Our staff works with patients in a variety of settings, including an intensive care unit and specialized cancer care centers for inpatient and outpatient treatments. Our home health staff assures quality nursing care and can provide rehabilitation services and social workers after a hospital stay. Youngsters with cancer are treated at Baptist Children's Hospital with a supportive child life specialist on hand to provide education, empathy and guidance.
Leading-edge research
Many cancer treatments and technologies simply did not exist a decade ago. Thanks to clinical research, some types of cancer that were once considered terminal are now curable when diagnosed at an early stage.
The Regional Cancer Program participates in FDA-approved clinical research to determine the effectiveness of new treatment options. Patients may enroll in one of more than 150 clinical research protocols for such conditions as cancer of the head and neck, skin, lymph system, bone, cervix, prostate, lung, breast, ovary and brain.
A nationally recognized program
Baptist and South Miami Hospitals have long been ranked among South Florida's premier facilities for cancer treatment. Both hospitals have provided specialized cancer care for nearly 20 years, and treat more than 3,000 patients annually. So South Floridians can benefit from leading-edge treatments and still enjoy the convenience and comfort of home.
The Regional Cancer Program at both South Miami and Baptist Hospitals is accredited by the prestigious Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.
In independent surveys, area residents have consistently ranked both South Miami and Baptist Hospitals among the top cancer-care facilities in the community.
Sophisticated diagnosis
The odds of surviving cancer are greatest when the disease is tackled early on. We have the most sophisticated technology for early, effective diagnosis: fully accredited mammography services, stereotactic core breast biopsy (an alternative to surgical biopsy), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound and fluoroscopy. CT (computerized tomography) scanning reveals the precise location of a tumor. PET (positron emission tomography) scanning focuses on the metabolic function of a tumor and is extremely sensitive in determining whether it is cancer. Our PET/CT Imaging System combines the best of CT and PET and provides the highest-quality images. We also do endoscopic and colorectal studies to diagnose cancers in the digestive tract.
In many cases, a surgeon will biopsy a suspected tumor to determine whether it is cancerous or benign (noncancerous). Our laboratory has sophisticated testing equipment to help diagnose cancer and monitor how well a specific therapy is working.
Advanced treatment options
When the diagnosis is cancer, the next step is to determine the most appropriate treatments - and to administer them as conveniently and comfortably as possible. The five widely accepted types of cancer treatment, used individually or in combination, are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherap, biotherapy and molecular-targeted therapies.
- Surgery is performed in our state-of-the-art operating rooms. Image-guided surgery that uses technology similar to a global positioning system for pinpoint accuracy and cutting-edge robotic laparoscopic surgery reduces recover time and minimizes side effects. The goal: to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible.
- Radiation therapy uses a powerful linear accelerator to kill cancer cells in the tumor and surrounding tissue. Radiation oncology services at Baptist and South Miami Hospitals include a complete range of treatment options:
- Conformal radiation therapy. By using a CT scanner for three-dimensional planning, doctors are able to target a cancer with very high doses of radiation therapy, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy. Computerized controlled X-ray beams are precisely shaped to match the tumor and attack it from various angles. This precision means more tumors are destroyed, there are fewer side effects, and the odds of beating cancer are improved. At South Miami Hospital, TomoTherapy combines IMRT with the imaging of computed tomography (CT) in one unit. This means convenient treatment planning for the patient, as well as more precise radiation delivery.
- Brachytherapy. Using a narrow tube, physicians can place a cancer-killing radioactive material inside the body, as close to the cancer site as possible. Advances in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy make it possible to deliver intense levels of radiation to the cancer site. In certain patients with breast cancer, the HDR brachytherapy can be delivered in a much shorter course of treatment than standard radiation therapy.
- Radioactive "seed" implants. In this outpatient procedure, tiny radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate to fight cancer as an alternative to prostate surgery. Seed implants may be used to treat other types of cancer as well.
- Chemotherapy attacks cancer with drugs. It is most often used when cancer cells are suspected to be present in several areas of the body. Often combined with other treatments, chemotherapy is provided on an outpatient basis, at home, or during periods of hospitalization. And new medications produce fewer side effects than ever before.
- Biotherapy uses the body's natural defense system to fight cancer. Interferon and Interleukin are among the biological substances used to treat some cancers.
- Molecular targeted therapies seek out defective molecular targets, such as a particular protein in a cell. These therapies are designed to destroy only malignant cells with specific molelcular defects, leaving normal cells intact. Examples are monoclonal antibodies given through the bloodstream or by mouth.
For more information, contact cancerinfo@baptisthealth.net.
Other services
In addition to the four major types of treatment, our arsenal of weapons in the war against cancer includes:
Interventional radiology. Some of the problems caused by cancer can be helped by highly specialized, non-surgical techniques performed at Baptist and South Miami Hospitals. For example, tiny, expanding metal stents placed inside the bronchial tract may keep airways open to help lung cancer patients breathe more easily. Interventional radiologists can also reduce blockages in the urinary tract or bile ducts, drain abscesses and guide the direct placement of chemotherapy or pain medication. They may also be able to take samples of suspected tumors to help in the diagnosis of cancer.
Complementary therapies. Meditation. Guided imagery. Stress reduction. Journal writing. Massage. Music, art and movement therapy. *Tai chi-style exercise and Yoga-style exercise. Nutritional counseling. These and other mind/body therapies may help patients deal with many cancer-related issues.
*Classes focus on movement instruction, rather than religious aspects of yoga and tai chi.
Genetic Risk Education Services. For those concerned about their risk for developing cancer, especially if they have a family history, we offer individualized genetic education to those at increased risk for hereditary breast, ovarian, colorectal, melanoma, pancreatic or endometrial cancer. Genetic testing, if ordered by the physician, is also available.
Pain Management. We know more about combating pain than ever before - and we're getting better at it all the time. Our specially trained oncology nurses are invaluable resources to patients and colleagues alike. They teach the safe, effective use of pain medication and provide access to a wealth of non-pharmaceutical alternatives. Physicians knowledgeable in pain treatment work with the cancer team as well.
To find out more about the services and support groups offered by Baptist-South Miami Regional Cancer Program, or for a referral to a cancer specialist at Baptist, Baptist Children's and South Miami Hospitals, call the Cancer Resource Service at 305-273-2430 (Outside Miami-Dade County, call toll-free, 1-800-599-2456).