Forms of Cancer Treatment
Each day, the news media brings us more information about late-breaking advances in cancer detection and treatment. It's hard for a cancer patient and his/her family to sort through the vast amount of information available. Here are some helpful hints about "treatment basics:"

Your medical oncologist (cancer doctor) is probably the best person with whom to discuss treatment options. There are three principal forms of cancer treatment:

The proper course of treatment for each patient depends on many things, and is a highly personalized program developed for each individual.

Cancer surgery is generally conducted at an area hospital. While the Big Horn Basin Radiation Oncology Center offers both Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy, this website (created by the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center in Billings, Montana, radiation therapy specialists), is primarily devoted to radiation therapy information.

If your doctor prescribes chemotherapy, you can take your chemotherapy treatments in Cody in the same building that houses the Big Horn basin Radiation Oncology Center. More information on local chemotherapy options is available through HOCNR, phone 406-238-6290. HOCNR stands for “Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies” and is based in Billings.


CLINICAL TRIALS

Aside from the three most typical forms of treatment outlined above, there are additional therapies and options a patient may want to investigate and discuss with the family physician. One of these is a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a study, usually involving a fairly large number of cancer patients who may choose to try an FDA-approved drug that may be helpful in treating cancer. Occasionally, clinical trials are initiated and performed in Billings, but most are nationally-based. Information on clinical trials is available from the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-422-6237. Sometimes you may see clinical trials advertised in the newspaper, or you may even receive a personal letter advising you of an upcoming clinical trial. Always discuss these treatment options with your family physician or medical oncologist.