Since 1988, the Cancer Program at South Fulton Medical Center has been fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons. As an accredited cancer treatment facility, South Fulton Medical Center provides:

• Comprehensive care through a range of services and equipment.
• A team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available.
• Information about cancer clinical trials, education, and support.
• Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results.
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
• Quality care close to home.

Our commitment is to provide residents of our community with local access to an expansive range of:

• Diagnostic services
• Up-to-date treatments including radiation oncology 
• Tumor Board 
• Support services for cancer 
• Nutrition 
• Pharmacy 
• Rehabilitation 
• Social work 
• Cancer Registry

Diagnosis
When it comes to cancer, an early diagnosis is often the most important aspect to long-term survivability. Diagnosing and staging cancer involves a multidisciplinary team of professionals that includes primary care physicians, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and others. These professionals rely on advanced diagnostic procedures – ranging from blood work and biopsies to detailed MRI and CT scans – to help identify the type and extent of cancer. 

Diagnostic procedures available at South Fulton Medical Center include:

• Mammography
• Flow cytometry
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Multi-Slice CT Scan
• Nuclear medicine
• Stereotactic breast biopsy
• Ultrasound

Radiation Oncology
The Radiation Oncology Center at South Fulton Medical Center provides both external and internal radiation therapy treatments. In external radiation therapy, our linear accelerator enables oncologists to track and destroy cancer cells with pinpoint precision. With sophisticated onboard treatment planning system, we can provide Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided

Radiation Therapy (IGRT ) to target cancer tissue with tightly focused 3D radiation beams. Aiming a precise dose of radiation to the shape and depth of the tumor avoids damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiation therapy is a proven cancer treatment. It has the ability to treat cancer in nearly every part of the body, either alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy affects both healthy and cancer cells, but most healthy cells can repair themselves naturally and may be able to recover quickly.

By planning treatment at regular intervals and on multiple days, we achieve maximum effect of the radiation with the least disruption of your schedule. The actual number of treatments will depend on the cancer size, location and type.

Each week, our radiation oncologists, physicists and therapists discuss treatment options for every new patient.  The presentation of your care at this planning and review conference gives you the benefit of joint consultation before treatment begins.

Tumor Board
The hospital's tumor board is comprised of a multi-disciplinary group of healthcare specialists who meet regularly to discuss diagnoses and patient care plans. This group gives newly diagnosed cancer patients the benefit of a team approach to cancer care.

Chemotherapy and Outpatient Infusion Center
With our team of chemotherapy certified nurses, South Fulton Medical Center provides chemotherapy services to inpatients. In addition, our Outpatient Infusion Center provides chemotherapy and other infusion services to patients once they leave the hospital. Certified Oncology Nurses administer parental medications including chemotherapy, antibiotics, hydration therapy, antivirals, immune globulin, blood and blood products, steroids, and hermatopetic agents. Using the latest technologies available, including needleless systems and ambulatory infusion pumps, the Infusion Center provides first dose administration and monitoring, intravenous catheter services, including PICC and MIDline insertion, and central catheter repair.

Support Services
South Fulton Medical Center collaborates with the American Cancer Society to offer Look Good, Feel Better, a service that helps women undergoing cancer treatment learn to cope with appearance-related side effects and regain a sense of self-confidence and control over their lives.

Breast Health Navigator
A compassionate and knowledgeable individual to help guide you and answer your questions.

During this difficult moment you probably have many questions about your ongoing healthcare and wellness. All of these questions can be answered by making one call to our Breast Health Navigator Terry Portis, RN, BSN. While our Breast Health Navigator does not provide medical diagnosis, she is dedicated to you by ensuring that you receive the support and knowledge you need to successfully navigate the healthcare system, and get you on the path to recovery.

Our Breast Health Navigator:

• Provides guidance through the complex healthcare system.
• Arranges mammography services.
• Assists with follow-up care.
• Helps utilize appropriate social services.
• Locates support resources to meet your needs.
• Assists with financial aid.

For more information, please contact Terry Portis, RN, BSN, Breast Health Navigator at (404) 466-WELL or terry.portis@tenethealth.com.

Nutrition
Depression and physical problems caused by cancer or its treatment often make eating difficult. Good nutrition is essential for cancer patients to minimize weight loss and to improve their ability to withstand the physical stress of treatment. To combat this, registered dietitians assess patients' nutritional needs, and develop and monitor individualized nutrition programs.

Pharmacy Services
Cancer patients have a designated pharmacist who reviews and monitors each patient's medical profile to ensure that drugs and dosages are appropriate. The pharmacist also reviews patient records to guard against potential problems, such as allergic reactions and drug interactions.

The staff pharmacist works closely with patients' physicians and serves as a drug information resource, helping to educate patients and family members about chemotherapy and special medications.

Rehabilitation Services
We offer a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help cancer patients with their recovery. Patients may receive therapy from one or more disciplines. Oncology patients who are significantly limited by pain have access to South Fulton Medical Center’s Pain Management Program.

Social Work
Clinical social workers assist with emotional, economic and social needs associated with cancer treatment, and help find available community resources.

Cancer Registry
In addition to patient care, South Fulton Medical Center's cancer program participates in a national cancer registry. The cancer registry is an information database used to monitor outcomes for cancer patients. The availability of this data at the state level allows health researchers to analyze geographic, racial, and other differences that provide clues that point to risk factors. This data also helps determine where early detection, educational or other programs should be directed.

For a referral to a South Fulton Medical Center medical oncologist or radiation oncologist, please call us at 404-466-WELL. We can match you with a physician based on location, specialty and insurance plan.