Your Visit

Your Medical Oncology Visit

Medical oncology focuses on treating cancer with medications such as chemotherapy. Willis Knighton Cancer Center offers the latest and most effective treatments, including:

• Traditional IV therapies
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Oral chemotherapy
• Immune globulin therapies
• Anemia treatments
• Access to clinical trials

Your doctor creates a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our team of chemotherapy-certified nurses administer your care in the outpatient chemotherapy unit. Depending on your treatment, you may be in the unit anywhere from 30 minutes up to eight hours.

For your comfort and convenience, the unit is designed with 50 individual treatment bays. Each treatment bay has a recliner with multiple heat and massage settings and a television. Blankets and pillows are provided upon request to help make your visit as comfortable as possible. We also provide snacks, reading materials and encourage you to bring anything that makes your visit more pleasant. Please limit visitors to two at a time. Children younger than age 12 are not allowed in treatment areas.

Most patients require lab work before each chemotherapy appointment to be sure you’re healthy enough for treatment. If needed, a venous access port may be implanted to minimize the number of needle sticks and nurses can draw blood from your port for your lab work.

Chemo 101

We understand that chemotherapy treatment can be overwhelming, which is why we offer Chemo 101, an orientation designed to ease your concerns and help you feel more prepared.

Chemo 101 takes place Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m. by appointment and includes:

• Tour of the outpatient chemotherapy unit
• Introduction to your treatment team
• Information about:
  • Your specific chemotherapy treatment
  • Side effect management
  • How your family can help with your care
  • Support groups and cancer community services
  • Nutritional support

Patients who attend Chemo 101 often feel more confident and less anxious about their treatment. We encourage all new patients and their families to attend. To schedule your session, please call our outpatient chemotherapy unit at 318-212-8065.