Oncology

This new radiation oncology planning machine is now the largest bore computerized tomography (CT) in New Mexico. At 85cm with a weight limit of 600 pounds, this state of the art machine allows physicians to image patients who are required to hold their arms above their head for treatment planning of breast and lung cancer. The 4D component gives physicians the ability to take images of tumors that move with the patient’s breathing, so that they can see the tumor’s location at any point in time, allowing for more precise treatment planning. The result is significantly less toxicity.

An ablation is performed through a tiny incision in order to allow the physician to access the tumor directly. A long needle is then inserted directly into the tumor and delivers extreme cold or extreme heat to freeze or burn the tumor. This focused treatment avoids damage to the surrounding normal tissue.

If you are experiencing certain signs and symptoms, your physician may order a biopsy to better determine if an area of tissue is abnormal. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the body to be analyzed in a lab. Other tests can suggest if cancer is present, but only a biopsy can make a diagnosis.

BiPlane imaging is an advanced diagnostic tool that helps us provide precise and effective cancer treatments. By capturing two simultaneous X-ray images from different angles, this technique enhances visualization of tumors and assists in guiding interventional procedures with greater accuracy.

Breast imaging plays a vital role in early cancer detection and treatment planning at our center. We use state-of-the-art technologies such as 3D mammography, ultrasound, and MRI to identify abnormalities, assess risk, and monitor patients throughout your care journey. Learn more about our breast health services.

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. The treatment can also be used to shrink tumors that are causing pain or other problems. Depending on the type of cancer, chemotherapy may be given orally or intravenously.

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. The treatment can also be used to shrink tumors that are causing pain or other problems. Depending on the type of cancer, chemotherapy may be given orally or intravenously.

Colon cancer screenings are essential to everyone’s health. If you’re 45 or over, it’s time to schedule yours. Every aspect of your screening is carefully designed, from scheduling to the procedure, with your health and time in mind. And since a prescreening appointment or evaluation with a gastroenterologist isn’t necessary for most patients, you’re likely to save time and money, too.

Schedule your colonoscopy at Lovelace today! Call 505-727-7833 for Albuquerque and 575-625-3400 for Roswell.

Women and their families concerned about breast cancer can be evaluated with our High Risk Breast Cancer Program, which combines the latest medical and scientific knowledge with the most advanced surveillance and diagnostic methods. Your evaluation may include breast MRI, a clinical breast exam, detailed family and personal risk assessment, digital mammography, and ultrasound.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers a concentrated dose of radiation therapy to a tumor bed during surgery, while also working to preserve healthy tissue. This helps to reduce side effects and decrease the need to return to the hospital for additional radiation treatments. IORT may offer the advantages of more efficient dosing, help spare healthy tissues and organs, shorten treatment times and provide a boost for traditional radiation patients.

We offer a low-dose CT chest scan for lung cancer screening. The screening is simple, effective and can improve the outcome with early diagnosis. You may be a screening candidate if you are a current or former cigarette smoker (having quit within the last 15 years), are between 50 – 80 years old, have no known history of lung cancer, or have a smoking history of at least 20-pack years (one pack a day for 20 years, 2 packs a day for 10 years, etc.).

If you do not fit all of the criteria above, speak with your primary care physician about your concerns. While a lung cancer screening could save your life, there are minimal risks involved. Our team will tell you about all the risks and benefits of getting a low-dose CT scan, and will follow up with you after the initial screening and review your results with you. Some insurance plans may cover the cost of the CT scan.

For more information, or to see if this screening is right for you, please call 505-727-3086.

The MarginProbe System can determine the success of a lumpectomy in real-time. During surgery, the electromagnetic response of tissue is assessed, differentiating cancerous cells from healthy tissue cells. This allows our surgeons to achieve clean margins, greatly reducing the need for re-excision surgery.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Positron emission tomography (PET) and CT scans help doctors precisely locate tumors and assess their response to treatment.

We offer radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife Perfexion. This is a non-invasive treatment that delivers highly focused radiation to brain tumors and other abnormalities. It provides precise tumor targeting without the need for traditional surgery.

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) delivers tiny radioactive beads directly to liver tumors through the bloodstream. This technique targets cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy liver tissue.

A stem cell transplant is a procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells back into the body in an effort to produce new blood and immune cells damaged by cancer treatment. Stem cells can be collected from the patient prior to treatment or from a matched donor.