The Cancer Care Center is located inside the six-story Outpatient Care Center at the Brunswick Campus. All outpatient cancer diagnostic, treatment and therapy programs are in this one location to assure patients and their families seamless access to care. The Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons. There are only 1,430 of these recognized programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, representing 25 percent of all hospitals.

The Health System’s acquisition of the very latest and best cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment available puts the center ahead of hospitals in Savannah and Jacksonville in cancer treatment technology.

Radiation Oncology
o All radiation oncologists are board certified by the American College of Radiology
o Additional specialists include physicists, dosimetrists, nurses who are national certified in oncology or eligibile to take the certification, radiation therapists, nutritionists, social workers and other wellness support staff

Medical Oncology
o Staffed by highly-qualified medical oncologists and oncology nurses
o Specilizes in cancer medications, including chemotherapy, biotherapy, hormonal therapy, and analgesics
o The nurses are nationally certified in oncology or eligibile to take the certification
o Oncology Nursing Society standards are used as a guideline to ensure the highest quality of cancer care

The Very Latest Technology

 o Two Varian Clinac Linear Accelerators with Multi-Left Collimation and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

o Each unit weighs 22,000 lbs.
o The newest cancer radiation treatment technology
o Each accelerator is designed to follow the treatment plan established by the physician and dosimetrist through computerization in order to position the patient in the best possible position to treat the tumor and spare the normal tissue, resulting in faster and more accurate treatment.
o Exceptional pinpoint accuracy for obtaining optimal treatment of tumors
o IMRT targets tumors with a higher dose of radiation while excluding normal tissue, thus reducing unwanted side effects

o Varian On Board Imager (OBI)
o An automated system enhancement for image guided radiation therapy allows physicians the ability to target and track tumors more accurately during treatment right from the machine instead of moving the patient to another location for x-rays or CTs
o Adjusts  patient positioning when needed while the patient is in the treatment room, therefore saving the patient from a return visit or movement to yet another machine to take an image of the tumor

o Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Located in Radiology
o Advanced detection and staging technology
o Effectively indentifies the extent of cancer involvement long before they manifest in other modalities
o Brachytherapy
o Allows a radioactive source to be placed within or near a treatment area
o High dose of radiation can be given to a very limited area
o Surrounding normal tissue receives a lower dose of radiation than if external beam irradation was used instead

o Picture Archive Communication System (PACS)
o The latest imaging technology uses computer technology to capture, store, manipulate, and send digital images instead of using film 
o Physicians and radiologists have instant access to the images upon completion
o Images are viewed at any designated  computer station within the hospital or at remote locations, such as physicians’ offices and homes  via  secure web  connections

Cancer Care Center Accreditations
o Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
o American College of Surgeons (ACS)
o American College of Radiology (ACR)

What Accreditations Mean:
o The program has undergone and passed a rigorous peer review of 35 practice standards and eight medical management categories
o Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to high quality, multidisciplinary cancer care
o The program must offer high quality programs and services, including:
o A multi-specialty team of doctors and allied health professions to assure the best cancer treatment options available;
o State-of-the-art services, equipment, and technologies;
o Access to appropriate information, education, and support for patients, families and friends;
o A cancer registry that collects data on cancer type, stage, and treatment results, and offers lifelong patient follow up;
o Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care; and
o Information about clinical trials and new treatment options

Phone Numbers:
Medical Oncology (912) 466-5120
Radiation Oncology (912) 466-5100