Physicians affiliated with the Cancer Center have been trained at highly regarded institutions, and many of our nurses are certified O.C.N. (Oncology Certified Nurse), the gold standard for oncology nurses. The Center’s affiliated radiation therapists are highly experienced, working hand-in-hand with radiation oncologists to ensure precise treatment delivery.

In addition to highly personalized clinical care, our team includes nutritionists, oncology nurse navigators and social workers who provide emotional support and guidance through all stages of treatment, recovery and healing.

The oncology nurse navigator is an expert clinician, patient advocate and the primary source of information for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families. Throughout the course of treatment, the navigator serves as liaison between the patient and the care team, which may include gynecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and reconstructive surgeons.

In navigating cancer patients through the complex healthcare system, we have the opportunity to improve patient experience and offer emotional and spiritual support as well. For more information about our oncology nurse navigator services, please call Gayle Hatch at 281.929.4152.

Our dedicated Breast Care Center provides the widest spectrum of services available today for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Diagnostic studies include state-of-the-art digital mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound/biopsy, stereotactic biopsy and fine needle aspiration. A dedicated, fellowship-trained breast radiologist specializing in advanced breast imaging is affiliated with Breast Care Center-Southeast.

Types of cancer treated:

Leading-Edge Technology

iLogic^TM Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy^TM (iLogic ENB)
The latest generation lung diagnostic technology now enables pulmonary physicians to reach tiny lesions deep within the small airways in a minimally invasive way. ENB uses CT scans to create a high-definition 3-D bronchial tree to accurately navigate to the smallest of lesions, secure a tissue sample, and implant a small marker. The marker can later be used to track tumor movement in real time during treatment, helping to reduce normal tissue exposure. Traditionally, lung biopsy required an invasive needle procedure that carried high risk of lung collapse and extreme exposure to X-ray. This breakthrough technology enables earlier lung cancer detection, noninvasive tissue sampling, reduced radiation risk and superior targeting.

Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT scan)
PET/CT scans merge metabolic detection with computerized imaging to precisely identify problem areas in the body. PET provides the metabolic information, and CT simultaneously takes multiple images to create a map of the body. This helps pinpoint the location of cancerous tumors or metabolic activity in the brain.

Intensity Modulation Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
The most precise form of external radiation therapy, IMRT is an advanced form of 3-D conformal radiation, which uses computer-generated, 3-D images to vary the shape and intensity of the radiation that is delivered directly to the tumor. IMRT helps destroy cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Patients and their organs move, which means the tumor is also moving. This motion can result in the radiation beam missing its target. IGRT is currently the most advanced method to evaluate and correct for this motion. All patients undergo a CT scan as part of the planning process. The information from the CT scan is then transmitted to a computer in the treatment room, where the radiation oncologist is able to compare the earlier image with images taken just before treatment to see if the treatment needs to be adjusted. If the tumor has shifted, the radiation beams can then be corrected before the radiation treatment. This allows doctors to better target the tumor while avoiding surrounding healthy tissue.

Contura™ Multi-Lumen Balloon Brachytherapy
Contura delivers internally targeted radiation in only five days, compared to traditional treatment every day for six to seven weeks. This breast brachytherapy delivers radiation only to the breast tissue surrounding the lumpectomy site, rather than to the entire breast. Contura allows the radiation “seed” to be placed within the lumpectomy site through five separate “lumens” or channels, not just a single channel as in previous balloon brachytherapy. This allows the radiation dose to be shaped or “contoured” to the targeted area.

MammoSite®
Some women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer may be candidates for MammoSite. A quick and accurate radiation treatment after lumpectomy, this balloon catheter technique allows qualified patients to complete radiation therapy in one week compared to the typical course of six to seven weeks.

Syed Template
Syed applicators provide effective, high-dose treatments to extensive cervical cancers. These applicators are used to treat patients with advanced cervical cancer extending to the pelvic sidewalls. A series of flexible catheters are implanted in the patient for a short period of time, enabling radiation sources to target the tumor. This internal placement of radiation allows a much higher dose of treatment to be delivered to any extensive residual tumor than would be possible with external-beam radiation alone.

High-Dose Radiation (HDR) Brachytherapy
HDR brachytherapy enables the radiation oncologist to place a small but powerful radiation source next to the patient's tumor site though a very thin tube. HDR is used to shrink the tumor without affecting the vital healthy tissues that surround it. The insertion, removal and dose applied by the tiny source is all computer controlled.

External-Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
External-beam radiation therapy is generally delivered in the form of either X-rays (photons) or electrons. This therapy can be used to treat cancer that lies deep in the body or close to the skin surface, adjusting the energy of the beam accordingly.

Triple-Energy Linear Accelerator
Linear accelerators deliver a uniform dose of high-energy X-ray to the tumor, destroying the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Our Elekta Synergy linear accelerator offers the most advanced clinical capabilities in the industry today. Its advantages include high-precision, high-energy radiation beams focused accurately on the tumor without damaging surrounding tissues. This technique minimizes uncertainties that can occur due to organ movement or change, or slight differences in patient set-up.

Multileaf Collimator
Our computer-controlled multileaf collimator accurately designs the size and shape of a radiation beam to conform to the tumor during the treatment planning process. Individually adjusted metal leaves vary beam intensity by blocking and filtering to protect healthy tissue and ensure precise distribution of radiation therapy.

CT Simulator
CT simulation transmits X-rays through tissue to create a graphic display of the tumor and surrounding normal tissue. Using a high-speed, high-capacity computer, the CT simulator helps physicians understand the complex relationship between healthy and cancerous tissues. The information is recorded, analyzed and used to design an optimal treatment plan.

Laboratory Medicine
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine staff at Memorial Hermann Southeast includes specialists in all areas of anatomic and clinical pathology. They are experienced in cancer diagnosis, as well as evaluating and responding to other medical problems, including infection and effects of treatment. Pathology services include autoimmune testing, coagulation, surgical pathology, toxicology and transfusion medicine.

For more information, contact: