Oncology at Sky Ridge Medical Center

Cancer treatment center in South Denver

At Sky Ridge Medical Center, our expert oncologists provide advanced treatments and services—including complementary health programs—for many types of cancer.

We also understand that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. This is why we offer patients comprehensive care throughout diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

For more information about cancer treatment at Sky Ridge Medical Center, please call (720) 225-4203.

Cancers we treat

We diagnose and treat a wide scope of different cancers, including:

In an effort to raise awareness about lung cancer, James Farlett, a cancer survivor, shares how he went from a smoker, to a quitter and to a survivor.

Comprehensive cancer care

We want our patients to feel supported, every step of the way. To do this, we offer cancer care through a variety of treatments, services and support programs. Our goal is to provide you with a wide range of options to ensure you receive a care plan that is right for you.

Our oncology program features:

• Multidisciplinary oncology team
• Access to state–of–the-art treatment options and clinical trials
• Fellowship–trained surgeons who perform minimally-invasive robotic–assisted surgery
• Dedicated radiation oncology department
• On–site chemotherapy and infusion services
• Access to comprehensive and advanced imaging modalities including PET, MRI, and CT
• Site–specific interventional radiology treatment techniques such as Yttrium–90 radio-embolization and chemoembolization of the liver
• Nurse navigators
• Oncology rehabilitation services through physical therapy
• Cancer resource center
• Pet therapy program

Multidisciplinary oncology team

At our hospital, we provide one-stop access for multidisciplinary cancer care and are available to address concerns patients may have about treatment. Our multidisciplinary approach to care means that several specific providers work together to provide comprehensive, team-based care to attack cancer from every angle.

When all of a patient’s providers are on the same team, it allows for easy and open communication between physicians as well as a less stressful experience for patients. Our multidisciplinary cancer care teams meet weekly to discuss treatment plans and ensure that patients are receiving the highest quality, evidence-based care.

Our cancer care team includes:

• Surgical oncologists
• Medical oncologists
• Reconstructive surgeons
• Radiation oncologists
• Radiologists
• Pathologists
• Physical therapists
• Radiation therapists
• Nurse navigators
• Oncology nurses and patient care assistants

Cancer Resource Center

Our comprehensive care goes beyond diagnosis and treatment. Sky Ridge is proud to offer the only Cancer Resource Center in the Denver Metro are. Staffed by Sky Ridge volunteers most of whom are cancer survivors themselves, we provide information about cancer, care services, and resources to patients, families and caregivers.

Our Cancer Resource Center is located in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute, which is adjacent to the main hospital.

Available services include:

• Wigs, scarves, hats and port pillows for clients who have lost their hair or are in need of head coverings
• Assistance in making appointments for mastectomy bra fittings
• Access to the latest information about tests, treatments and clinical trials
• Information about local community support resources
• Reduced lodging can be secured during cancer treatment through our Sky Ridge Family Concierge

As the only partner in the Denver Metro area to E-Beauty Community Inc., we are able to provide women undergoing cancer treatment with free wigs.

Our cancer resource center is available by appointment. Please call 720-225-4203 and one of our trained volunteers will assist you in learning more about accessing community resources.

For more information about our cancer resource center, please call us at (720) 225-4203.

Interventional radiology for cancer treatment

Unique to our cancer center is our expertise in minimally invasive interventional radiology (IR) for treating several types of cancer, including liver, breast and colon cancer.

Interventional radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology in which minimally invasive procedures are performed using image guidance—including X–rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our interventional radiologists specialize in using nonsurgical techniques for targeted treatments.

Neuro–oncology program

For patients who have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor, it is critical for these patients to see a highly trained neurosurgeon with experience treating these conditions.

Our surgical team is a leader in HealthONE in neuro–oncology, using new and innovative treatment methods to evaluate, diagnose and remove brain and spinal cord tumors.

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT)

LITT is a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical technique for treating brain tumors. It allows neurosurgeons to gently and precisely use a robotically-driven laser to destroy tumor tissue using real-time MRI guidance.

Benefits of LITT:

• A leading-edge option for inoperable or recurrent brain tumors, radiation necrosis or tumors in medically-fragile patients.
• Minimally invasive with an incision smaller than a centimeter.
• Real-time MRI thermography allows the neurosurgeon to monitor tissue temperature while robotically steering laser light to ablate (destroy) unwanted tissue.
• Faster recovery and same-day hospital discharge.
• Covered by insurance.

Nurse navigation program

Our oncology nurse navigators are an important member of your care team. They serve as the first point of contact when a patient is newly diagnosed with cancer. They then follow the patient throughout the treatment journey to ensure each patient has the educational resources, support and services they need to receive high-quality care in a timely manner.

The nurse navigator will keep patients and their families informed about procedures and treatment plans, help expedite follow-up appointments and work with each patient to help make an informed decision about their care plan. Our navigators offer guidance in the following cancer care areas:

• Breast cancer care
• Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer care
• Gynecologic cancer care
• Lung cancer care

For more information about how a nurse navigator can help you through the cancer journey, please call our Cancer Care Line at (720) 225-2273.

Cancer care outcomes

At Sarah Cannon at Sky Ridge Medical Center and within the HealthONE Cancer Network, we continually monitor quality indicators and outcomes to improve patient care. These measures include evidence-based guidelines. Providing care according to the recommendations of the Commission on Cancer, as well as the National Quality Forum (NQF), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), is more likely to result in high-quality patient outcomes.

We are proud of our outcomes on key cancer program measures. Our multidisciplinary approach with collaboration among physicians, clinicians and nurse navigators improves communication, coordination of care and effective treatment for our patients.