Oncology

The Area’s Only QOPI® Certified Practice

Welcome to Oncology at Crystal Run. The cancer care we provide locally has been recognized nationally. Crystal Run Healthcare was one of the first 16 community cancer care facilities in America certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®). QOPI® Certification is awarded to practices that meet 24 measures for cancer care and 17 specific chemotherapy safety standards.

This important certification demonstrates the ongoing commitment of our physicians, nurses, and support staff to make a difference in the lives of our cancer patients by achieving the highest standards of excellence for their care.

Our commitment to cancer care stems from our roots. What started as a single-specialty oncology practice has evolved into Crystal Run Healthcare. At Crystal Run, we know the quality of the care that a patient receives from their oncology doctor is one of the most important aspects of a successful treatment outcome.

At Crystal Run, cancer care is a multidisciplinary team approach. You’ll receive coordinated care from oncologists/hematologists, certified oncology nurses, an oncology surgeon, and a nutritionist. We also make it easy to schedule lab work, diagnostic hematology/oncology testing, and biopsies, because we know that your comfort, convenience, and peace of mind are key. That’s why Crystal Run’s on-site infusion suites were designed with the comfort and privacy of our patients in mind.

Common Types of Cancer Treated

Breast cancer

Breast cancer occurs in breast tissue and can develop in patients of any gender. Breast cancer treatment commonly involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Some patients also choose to undergo a partial or full mastectomy (breast removal) to prevent a recurrence.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer occurs in lung tissue and is commonly marked by symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, and unexplained coughing (may produce phlegm and/or blood). Lung cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer occurs in the esophagus (throat), causing symptoms like pain, indigestion, and difficulty swallowing or breathing. Common risk factors include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and smoking. Common esophageal cancer treatment methods include surgical tumor removal, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer occurs in the thyroid gland, affecting the neck, throat, voice, and swallowing mechanisms. It can also hinder the thyroid’s regulatory functions, causing symptoms like hot flashes. Often, the first sign of thyroid cancer is a distinctive lump on the patient’s neck.

Genitourinary cancer

Genitourinary cancer is a  category of cancer that affects the genitals and/or urinary tract. Genitourinary cancer treatment methods vary by the location and severity of genitourinary cancer.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer occurs in the bladder lining (and sometimes in the kidneys and ureter tubes), causing painful/difficult urination, back pain, and bloody or discolored urine. It is commonly discovered in its early stages, allowing for successful bladder cancer treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy, etc.).

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer affects the testicles, typically one at a time. It can occur at any age but is most common between 15 and 35. Symptoms may include a lump on the testicle, groin pain, breast growth/tenderness, discomfort, and fluid in the scrotum. It is highly treatable with options like surgical testicle removal, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers. It may grow slowly and stay in the prostate, or it may grow and spread aggressively. The earlier it is caught and the less spread there is, the greater the chances of success with prostate cancer treatment. Symptoms include painful and difficult urination, weight loss, blood in urine or semen, and erectile dysfunction.

GI cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer refers to a category of cancers that affect one or more parts of the gastrointestinal tract. GI cancer treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s situation and can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Stomach cancer (gastric cancer)

Stomach cancer can affect any part of the stomach, causing swallowing problems, heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain, nausea, weight loss, and/or a persistent feeling of fullness. Early-stage tumors can be removed individually, but later-stage stomach cancer treatment may require removing part or all of the stomach.

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer)

Colorectal cancer occurs in the colon and/or rectum, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in stool, blockages, bowel perforations, and GI inflammation. It is the 2nd most fatal type of cancer in the U.S., but medical advances continue to increase the success of colorectal cancer treatment.

Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer affects the kidneys, causing symptoms like bloody urine, fatigue, abdominal/back pain, fever, and weight loss. Because the kidneys filter blood and help regulate blood pressure, dysfunction can quickly become life-threatening. Kidney cancer can be hereditary, so those with family histories of it should watch for red flags. Earlier diagnosis increases the likelihood of successful kidney cancer treatment.

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer affects the pancreas, eventually causing symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, dark urine, pale stool, itching, fatigue, and new or worsening diabetes. Symptoms often do not appear for some time, delaying diagnosis and pancreatic cancer treatment until later stages. Risk factors include family history, diabetes, smoking, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and aging.

Liver cancer

Liver cancer occurs in the liver, causing symptoms like weight loss, reduced appetite, jaundice, abdominal pain, pale stool, nausea, and fatigue. It may be caused by substance abuse (alcohol, steroids, etc.) birth defects, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other underlying diseases. Genetics, diabetes, and obesity are also risk factors.

Useful links:

Cancer risk assessment

General Cancer Information - Cancer.gov 

General Cancer Information - Cancer.net 

With locations in Middletown, Monroe, Newburgh, Rock Hill, and West Nyack, NY, Crystal Run provides a full range of locally accessible services for the testing and treatment of oncological and hematologic disorders. See below for more information on our team of oncology/hematology doctors and surgeons.

Learn more about Hematology at Crystal Run.