LRCC Services
Innovative Technologies and Procedures offered at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center include:
Advanced Breast Cancer Care
Certified Mastectomy Fitter
Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy
Cryosurgery
Genetic Screening
Lymphatic Mapping
Mammography
Melanoma
Mobile Screening Bus
Radiation Therapy
Robotic Surgery
Urology/Urologic Oncology
Advanced Breast Cancer Care
The entire team at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center is dedicated to providing the most advanced breast care available anywhere. Women will find understanding and support throughout their cancer journey. We are committed to providing:
- Early detection and diagnosis
- Breast conserving surgery whenever possible
- Advanced radiation treatment
- Medical oncology utilizing the most promising protocols
- Information, understanding and caring every step of the way
Learn about Breast Cancer, risk factors, prevention, treatment and more.
Breast Self Exam is an important tool in detecting cancer early. Click here for instructions.
Don't delay - make your mammogram appointment today!
To learn about Mammosite, an exciting new targeted radiation therapy, click here
The Boutique at Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Located in the mall area of Lakeland Regional Cancer Center, The Boutique provides mastectomy patients from around the region with breast forms and more comfortable and stylish surgical bras. Pat Thomas is a true treasure to mastectomy patients. She is
one of the area's only certified mastectomy fitters, providing outstanding expertise and compassionate care.
The shop also carries scarves, turbans, skin protection products, gift items and accessories. Back to top
Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy - the use of medications to treat cancer - has played a major role in cancer treatment for half a century. Years of testing and research have proved chemotherapy to be an effective cancer treatment. It may be your only treatment or it may be used in combination with other treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy.
To learn about Chemotherapy, visit the Chemotherapy education sections of the American Cancer Society or the National Cancer Institute websites. Back to top
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is more than a "cool" treatment for prostate and kidney cancer; it's also a very effective treatment in many cases. Cryosurgery is a technique for freezing and killing abnormal cells using liquid nitrogen or argon gas, and has proven successful in destroying certain types of cancer cells.
Cryosurgery has been used in the treatment of prostate cancer for more than ten years, and there are many advantages. "The procedure can be used to treat patients who are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy due to age or other health problems," says Dr. Byron Hodge, urologic oncologist. "And it can be repeated several times for recurring cancers." Other benefits of cryosurgery include less invasiveness, a shorter recovery time, and often fewer side effects.
Dr. Hodge is currently using cryosurgery to treat prostate and kidney cancer. Researchers are also evaluating the procedure as a treatment for a number of other forms of the disease, including breast, colon and liver cancers. Back to top
Genetic Screening
Current research suggests that only 5-10 percent of cancers are inherited; however, if you have a strong family history of breast, ovarian or colorectal cancer, it may be appropriate for you to consider genetic screening. Modern technology has enabled us to identify relationships between specific genetic mutations and some cancers. For example, the lifetime risk estimate for developing breast cancer in the general population is 12 percent, whereas the risk for those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations is 50 to 85 percent. As we continue to learn more about genetic mutations and identify additional mutations, the role of genetic testing will continue to grow. At Lakeland Regional Cancer Center, we believe that informed patients are better empowered to make decisions in their own best interest. For this reason, we offer a genetic screening program. Back to top
Lymphatic Mapping
One of newest advances in the treatment and staging of breast cancer includes the technique of lymphatic mapping for a sentinel node biopsy. This minimally invasive procedure identifies the axilliary lymph nodes most likely to contain metastatic disease from the primary breast tumor. The sentinel lymph nodes are then sent for special staining to detect metastatic disease that a pathologist would not detect with routine methods. Currently, it is one of the most sensitive tools surgeons have to accurately stage breast cancer. In addition, it offers the advantage of sparing the patient the risks and post-operative effects of a complete axillary lymph node dissection if the sentinel lymph node is negative. At this time, patients who undergo sentinel node biopsy are being studied under investigational protocols for regional local recurrence and overall prognosis.
The Surgical Oncologists at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center specialize in lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy where the technique is also being used to stage melanoma and certain gastro-intestinal cancers. This is an important advantage for LCRR patients as not all surgeons at other facilities are skilled with these techniques. We encourage those with newly diagnosed cancer to be aware of their surgical treatment options. For additional information, you may find an article in the July 2004 edition of American Breast Cancer Guide helpful. It was written by LRCC's Dr. James W Jakub. Back to top
Mammography
Lakeland Regional Cancer Center and Radiology & Imaging Specialists are pleased to announce a new partnership for women's imaging services,
combining the experience and resources of these two respected medical practices to provide expanded access and the latest technology for women
in our community.
By joining together, Women's Imaging Center, LLC at 2120 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, offers patients:
- Increased capacity for screening and diagnostic mammograms
- Expanded service hours
- Access to newer technology
- Increased physician support for imaging procedures
- Full minimally invasive breast biopsy capabilities including ultrasound, stereotatic and MRI guided biopsies.
Women's Imaging Center, LLC currently has three mammography units, state of the art breast ultrasound equipment, digital stereotactic ultrasound and bone densitometry with breast imaging services accredited by American College of Radiology (ACR) and Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). We have highly experienced board certified radiologists and certified mammography technologists providing friendly, expert care to our patients.
Digital Mammography will soon be available with the recent purchase of the Selenia Hologic Digital Mammography system. Installation is expected to be completed in May 2008. Women's Imaging Center, LLC is proud to be the first provider in Lakeland to offer this exciting technology for the women we serve. Back to top
Melanoma
Lakeland Regional Cancer Center provides patients with the very latest advances
in melanoma detection, treatment and follow-up care. Dr. Douglas Reintgen,
Director of the LRCC, is world renowned for his expertise in this field. He has
taught advanced melanoma surgical procedures to surgeons worldwide. By choosing
Lakeland Regional Cancer Center for treatment, you are assured of the most
progressive melanoma care.
To learn more about melanoma, visit the melanoma education sections of the
American Cancer Society or the
National Cancer Institute websites. Back to top
Mobile Screening Bus
In keeping with our commitment to the community and our mission to delivering
exceptional cancer care through prevention, early detection, treatment, research
and the relentless pursuit of a cure, Lakeland Regional Cancer Center has developed a mobile screening program that will help detect certain cancers before symptoms occur. Early detection almost always results in better outcomes.
Our healthcare professionals will screen for cancers of the skin, prostate, breast and colon and rectum as well as for osteoporosis. All tests are confidential and conducted in complete privacy. Results will be given to both the participant and the physician of their choice.
In addition to the screening itself, participants will receive information on cancer prevention and healthy lifestyles.
To learn more or to participate in our screening program, simply call our Mobile Screening Coordinator at (863) 603-6579. Back to top
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of carefully focused, high-energy radiation to treat cancer. Approximately 50-60 percent of cancer patients are treated with radiation at some point during their disease. For this reason, Lakeland Regional Cancer Center provides on-site Radiation Therapy using high resolution IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). This state-of-the-art cancer treatment method delivers high doses of radiation directly to cancer cells in a very targeted way, much more precisely than is possible with conventional radiotherapy. Because it spares more of the surrounding healthy tissue, IMRT can deliver higher radiation doses directly to cancer cells. The radiation oncologists at Lakeland Regional Cancer Center treat all forms of cancer; however, breast and prostate cancers are particular specialties.
To learn more about radiation therapy, visit the radiation therapy sections of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute websites. Back to top
Robotic Surgery
For certain urologic surgeries, LRCC Surgeons can use the robotic system available at LRMC. Patients benefit greatly from the less invasive nature of robotic surgery. The da Vinci© surgical system is the first totally "intuitive" laparoscopic surgical robot in the world cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Benefits of robotic surgery include:
- Reduced trauma to the body
- Reduced blood loss
- Less post-operative pain and discomfort
- Faster recovery and return to daily activities
- Less risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less scarring
Learn more about robotic prostatectomy. For an appointment or consultation, please call 863-603-6565.
Urology/Urologic Oncology
Our urologic cancer team is devoted to the effective treatment of prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancers, as well as incontinence and kidney stones. We also have one of the few urologic oncology surgeons adept at cryosurgery, a promising alternative for those who may not be candidates for traditional surgery.
