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Serving thousands of patients each year, Memorial Healthcare Cancer Center treats patients in Shiawassee County and its surrounding areas. Memorial Healthcare boasts a team of experienced medical professionals providing oncology and hematology care. Experienced oncologists focus on providing comprehensive cancer services in a healing environment focused on wellness and positivity.
The Memorial Healthcare Cancer Center has received national recognition from the American College of Surgeons.
Oncology Services Offered at Memorial Healthcare
Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of different types of cancer. Oncologists have the skills and expertise to manage patient care throughout the cancer treatment process. Generally, patients are referred to an oncologist once they’ve had preliminary testing that may indicate cancer. An oncologist can diagnose cancer and recommend different treatment options. Just because a patient has been referred to an oncologist does not mean they definitively have cancer – further testing may rule out a cancer diagnosis.
Click here for information on our Cancer Support Group for patients, families, and loved ones.
Diagnostic services may include:
- 3D mammography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Once a patient has been diagnosed, they may receive one of the cancer treatment modalities available at Memorial Healthcare, such as:
- Chemotherapy: One of the most common forms of treatment for cancer, chemotherapy uses medication to destroy cancer cells and can be administered as a pill or intravenously.
- Surgery: The oncology team coordinates with surgeons in Owosso and the surrounding area to provide cancer surgeries on an individual basis. Surgery can is performed to remove part or all of a malignant tumor.
Some patients may receive a combination of these treatments, such as a course of radiation after surgery to kill off remaining cancer cells.
Our Partners in Radiation Oncology
In partnership with Memorial Healthcare, Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint operates the radiation oncology program for patients in Owosso. The radiation oncology team at Karmanos offers innovative care, expert skills, and proven technology, setting them apart from other cancer centers. Together, our joint teams will advance the fight against cancer in Shiawassee County.
Types of Cancer
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the body. Normally, as the body’s cells grow old, they die and are replaced by new, healthy cells. Sometimes this process breaks down, and abnormal cells grow into tumors. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). As cancer cells grow, they can spread to other parts of the body. While signs of cancer vary widely from patient to patient, early symptoms of cancer might include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- An unusual lump or sore that doesn’t go away
Certain kinds of cancer may be more apparent than others. For example, a mole that changes in size or shape may be an indication of melanoma.
There are many different types of cancer, and each patient will have a different course of treatment depending on factors such as their age, overall health, and stage of cancer. Some of the more common types of cancer include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer