Oncology

Cancer treatment services in Tulsa, OK

At Hillcrest Medical Center, we provide comprehensive cancer treatment at our cancer center, the only NCI-designated program in the state. Our services include medical chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation treatment, and cancer surgery. We also offer diagnostic services to help screen for and prevent cancer, and partner with the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center to bring you innovative cancer research and a wide range of clinical trials. Using state-of-the-art technology and leading-edge techniques, our cancer care specialists provide patients in Tulsa with exceptional, compassionate oncology care that you and your loved ones can depend on.

Types of cancer we treat

Our doctors provide comprehensive services, including screenings and surgical treatments, to care for the following types of cancer:

  • Blood and bone marrow cancer
  • Brain cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Gynecologic cancer
  • HPB cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Lymphomas
  • Lung cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Skin cancer
  • Thyroid/throat cancer
  • Urinary and bladder cancer

Should you require care for another type of cancer not listed above, our oncologists will work diligently to ensure you receive the care you need.

Comprehensive cancer treatment

At Hillcrest, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for every cancer patient. For this reason, we provide a wide range of services to diagnose and treat cancer, including:

  • Cancer surgery
  • Care at the infusion center at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Hillcrest
  • Chemotherapy
  • Diagnostic services
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radiation oncology, including radiation therapy
  • Radiosurgery

Please call 918-579-3850 to learn more about our treatments and how specialists can support you throughout your cancer journey.

Lung cancer screening

The Lung Center at Hillcrest Medical Center offers a nurse navigator who can guide you through a lung cancer risk assessment. First, patients should click here to determine if they are a candidate for a lung cancer screening. This website will also provide other details of your potential screening, including how much it will cost and whether your insurance will cover it.

To schedule a lung cancer diagnostic test or other pulmonary screenings, please obtain a referral from your primary care provider. We also offer self-referrals for patients who meet the criteria for a lung cancer screening.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual lung cancer screenings for people who:

  • Are between 50 and 80 years old
  • Are a current or former smoker
  • Have quit smoking within the past 15 years
  • Have a minimum of a 20 pack-year history (e.g., smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years or 2 packs per day for 10 years)
  • Have no symptoms of lung cancer

Our lung cancer screenings use low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scans to obtain a clear view of your lungs. During your lung screening, you will lie on a table while the CT machine uses low dose radiation to make detailed images of your lungs. The scan is completely painless and only takes a few minutes.

Immunotherapy

The immune system – the body’s defense against infections – can be a powerful weapon when it comes to defeating cancer. Unlike chemotherapy and radiation, which act directly on cancerous tumors, immunotherapy uses your own immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate different forms of cancer. Immunotherapy comes in a variety of forms, including targeted antibodies, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, tumor-infecting viruses, and more. Please call us to learn more about immunotherapy or any of our other cancer treatments.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation. It works like chemotherapy, relying on the faulty DNA of cancer cells, which are slowly destroyed due to their inability to reproduce and recover as well as normal cells do. Radiation therapy is also used in some cancer patients to debulk tumors, relieve pain or to shrink tumors prior to surgery. 

Radiation therapy’s side effects can include:

  • Appetite loss
  • Changes in skin appearance, such as redness and irritation
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss at the treatment site
  • Nausea
  • Soreness or swelling in the treatment area
  • Trouble swallowing (if radiation is targeted near the throat or esophagus)
  • Urinary and bladder changes

While unpleasant, these side effects can usually be controlled or treated. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy and cancer surgery as part of a complete and personalized treatment plan. If radiotherapy is right for you, our oncologists will coordinate your care and collaborate with a radiation-oncology team to ensure you get the best possible care and treatment.