Cancer Treatment Programs

At Sharp HealthCare, cancer treatment is a process that is designed to meet each patient’s needs. Doctors plan treatments based on several key factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the person's age, health and lifestyle.

Sharp offers a comprehensive range of treatment options to meet patients’ individual needs.

Bone Marrow Transplant Program
Sharp Memorial Hospital and the University of California San Diego Medical Center jointly established a bone marrow transplant program. The UCSD/Sharp Joint Bone Marrow Transplant Program provides a full array of bone marrow transplant services including traditional autologous bone marrow, allogeneic bone marrow transplants and peripheral stem cell transplantation. Together, Sharp and UCSD are conducting clinical trials and developing new technologies to advance cancer treatment in San Diego.

Chemotherapy Treatment
Sometimes called medical oncology or hematology, chemotherapy is given to treat cancer as well as prevent its recurrence. This medication flows through the whole body and works by targeting fast-growing cells — cancer cells, as well as others — and destroying them. Chemotherapy is generally given to patients in cycles — a treatment period is followed by a recovery period before another treatment period begins.

For more information on what to expect and how to prepare for your chemotherapy, see What to Expect: Chemotherapy Treatment at Sharp.

Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Sharp HealthCare uses the newest and most sophisticated radiation planning and treatment equipment available. This allows for accurate treatment planning, minimizing side effects and optimizing outcomes.

Learn more about Sharp’s radiation therapies:

For more information on what to expect and how to prepare for your radiation therapy visit to Sharp HealthCare, go to What to Expect: Radiation Treatment at Sharp.

Lymphedema Therapy
Following breast cancer surgery, patients are at risk of developing lymphedema, a painful condition of persistent swelling in an arm, leg or other body part. Sharp's lymphedema program offers complete therapy for persistent swelling of body parts.

Surgery for Cancer Treatment
For some patients, surgery may be the best choice for evaluation and treatment of their cancer. Surgical oncology procedures can be used to obtain tissue samples, confirm diagnosis, identify a specific cancer and determine the extent of the disease. Surgery is also used to remove malignant and nonmalignant tumors; treat solid tumors like those found in the breast, colon or lung and correct problems that create discomfort or disability. In addition to traditional surgical procedures, Sharp-affiliated surgeons perform robotic surgery to treat many kinds of cancer.

Treatment for Ovarian, Gastrointestinal and Appendiceal Cancer
Through the use of an elite treatment method, Sharp HealthCare has drastically improved the length of survival among patients who are suffering from end-stage recurrent and metastatic cancer spread to the abdomen. This unique treatment starts with surgery to remove all cancerous tissue and is followed immediately by the flushing of the abdominal cavity with heated chemotherapy treatments. This procedure is specifically designed for recurrent ovarian cancer and other types of widely spread gastrointestinal cancers, and has significantly increased the length of patient survival by three to five times the average.

Breast Cancer Program
Sharp is one of only a few hospitals in the US to offer a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care. At Sharp, a team of experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer coordinate your care.

Our team includes the following medical specialists:

  • Medical oncologists who provide chemotherapy
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
  • Radiation oncologists who provide radiation therapy
  • Surgeons who specialize in breast surgery

Our dedicated case managers are a vital part of the team of caregivers who assist you and your family members from the time you are diagnosed through your course of treatment. Case managers may handle such practical matters as scheduling appointments and arranging for you and your family to meet with the social worker. They can also provide individualized education and help you understand what your treatment options are, what to expect and how to manage the side effects of treatment.

In addition to highly specialized medical services such as breast surgery, radiation and lymphedema therapies, we offer complementary therapies and long-term monitoring. Our complementary therapies include nutritional counseling, Healing Touch and art classes. Once you have completed your course of treatment, we provide comprehensive long-term monitoring with oncology, radiation, radiology and social services, including follow-up mammography and ultrasonography services.

Sharp offers personalized, comprehensive support and education for breast cancer patients, including translation services, transportation assistance, community resources, financial assistance, help obtaining prostheses and wigs and much more. Learn more about Sharp's breast cancer patient navigator programs.

Free support groups are also available for breast cancer patients. At these groups, women can share their concerns and experiences of living with breast cancer and exchange ideas to discover new coping strategies.

For More Information
For more information about Sharp's cancer services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego oncologist or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general cancer information, visit the Cancer Topics in Adult Health or read the Cancer News archive.

Last Updated: January 14, 2010