Oncology

Our hospital specializes in treating blood, bone, gastrointestinal (GI) and neuroendocrine tumor cancers. Learn more about our treatments below.

Blood cancer care

At Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, we are committed to providing the best treatment to patients facing blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to bringing you the latest techniques and technologies to ensure you get the care you need.

CBCI is the largest full-service blood and marrow and stem cell transplant program in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. CBCI provides comprehensive blood cancer care and is among the top programs in the U.S. And the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute is the region's largest blood and marrow transplant program.

Bone cancer care

Our bone cancer care team focuses on its unique treatment approach for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Due to this approach, we are a leader in patient outcomes in adult and pediatric osteosarcoma.

Additionally, we have a dedicated pelvic stabilization program for patients who have pelvic deterioration due to bone cancer or radiation therapy. Partnering with the Institute for Limb Preservation, our interventional radiologists and orthopedic surgeons use a minimally invasive approach to treat bone cancer in the pelvic area.

For more information and to find out if you might be a good candidate for pelvic stabilization, please contact the Institute for Limb Preservation at (800) 262-5462 (LIMB).

GI cancer program

The GI Malignancy Program features a multidisciplinary team of experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of GI cancers. These specialists participate in multiple clinical trials for every stage of cancer treatment. In addition to clinical trials, we offer chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) describe a set of unusual cancers that develop when neuroendocrine cells (which exist throughout the body) grow abnormally. While most cancers grow rapidly, neuroendocrine cancers tend to grow very slowly. Additionally, since neuroendocrine tumors develop from hormone-producing cells, the tumor itself may produce extra hormones, which causes illnesses that may make diagnosis difficult. Treatments for this cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Our multidisciplinary team of oncologists and specialists work together to diagnose and treat many types of neuroendocrine tumors, including:

• Adrenocortical carcinoma
• Carcinoid tumors
• Medullary thyroid cancer
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
• Paragangliomas
• Pheochromocytomas

Radiology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating cancer. You may receive radiology services, such as:

• Detailed cancer staging and restaging through:
  • Image fusion techniques
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning
  • Tumor volume measurement
• Digital mammography
• Intra-arterial chemotherapy
• Tumor embolization

Radiation therapy

Unique to our hospital is our onsite radiation therapy program. Patient care is our number one priority, and our radiation therapy services are provided in a comfortable environment for patients.

Radiation therapy is an advanced cancer treatment that uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. This form of treatment, a part of many patients’ care plans, tends to work best when used with surgery and chemotherapy.

When cancer is detected, one option for treatment is the surgical removal of the tumor. We provide patients access to expert oncology surgeons who are board-certified and experienced in using advanced procedures for cancer treatment. They create an individual care plan to suit the needs of each patient.

If you would like more information about the surgical oncology program, please call us at (720) 475-8733.

Engaging in creative activities during times of emotional stress or illness helps raise alpha wave patterns, which produce the relaxed, aware state found during meditation. It also boosts serotonin, a hormone that helps alleviate feelings of depression.

Knowing this, we are proud to offer creative arts therapy for our patients as an additional outlet to help them heal, process where they are in their cancer journey and foster a sense of hope. Led by a certified art therapist, our program allows patients and their families to participate in specific expressive art activities to help them cope with the emotional stress of illness and treatment.

• Creative writing and journaling
• Drawing and painting
• Music therapy

For more information on our healing arts program, please call us at (303) 839-6585.

The Outpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Program provides a rehabilitation treatment regimen for our patients who are receiving treatment for cancer. Our rehabilitation program is personalized to help the patient regain, maintain and enhance their lifestyles throughout cancer therapy treatments.

Our cancer rehabilitation program services include:

• Acupuncture
• Cognitive assessment
• Lymphedema therapy
• Mental health support
• Nutritional counseling
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Prescriptive exercise
• Speech and swallowing intervention

Cancer exercise program

The Cancer Exercise Program is a unique opportunity for patients with cancer to participate in a personalized exercise program to reduce, relieve or altogether eliminate cancer treatment-related symptoms. This program helps patients reduce fatigue and boost their immune systems during and after cancer treatment.

Patients receive a physical therapy evaluation and treatment sessions tailored to their physical and emotional needs. The goal is to help patients transition to an independent wellness program.

To enroll in the outpatient cancer rehabilitation program, please call (303) 839-6745.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer in adults (1 percent of all adult cancers) but rather prevalent in children (about 20 percent of all childhood cancers). Sarcomas arise from the cells holding the body together. These could be cells related to muscles, nerves, bones, fat, tendons, cartilage or other forms of “connective tissues.”

Sarcomas can invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize (spread) to other organs of the body, forming secondary tumors.

At Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, our renowned surgeons offer revolutionary treatment options, which may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the tumor.

Traditionally, surgery involves the amputation or removal of the entire arm or leg to prevent the cancer from spreading. Now with the advancement of diagnostic procedures, chemotherapy and surgical procedures, surgeons can perform limb salvage surgery.

Limb salvage surgery involves removing the cancerous tumor along with a margin of adjoining tissue, followed by reconstruction of the limb, both functionally and aesthetically, to provide the best possible outcome for the patient.

We have a multidisciplinary team who walks patients and their loved ones through the entire journey, providing support, compassion and unparalleled expertise.

Learn more about our sarcoma program.

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.