At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, we treat all forms of cancer. We do, however, see a higher number of patients with the following solid tumor cancer types. To help you find the resources you need, please search by cancer type below. If you do not see your particular type of cancer, please contact your oncologist to find out about the services we may provide you.

• Breast Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Colon/Rectum, Head & Neck, Lung, or Skin Cancer
  
• Gynecologic Cancer
• Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors of the Spine & Extremities

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease that is of particular concern because of the high number of cases seen in our Bay Area community. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is well-equipped to treat breast cancer. Our clinical expertise and access to new technologies and research allows us to stay on the forefront of breast cancer treatments, increasing our chances of effectively treating you and your loved ones.

Our Programs: To learn more about the breast cancer resources and clinical programs at Alta Bates Summit, use the links below.
o Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
o Comprehensive Cancer Center
o Markstein Cancer Education & Prevention Services
o Radiation Therapy Services at the Summit Campus

Our Doctors and Experts: Use the links below to select an Alta Bates Summit physician or to hear audio recordings by our experts.
o Find A Doctor: For breast cancer, select a Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o Audio Tips: Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center program manager, Meridithe Mendelsohn, MPA, describes the value of screening and early detection of breast cancer.
o Audio Tips: Hear medical oncologists, D. Jeffrey Demanes, MD, talk about brachytherapy and Patrick Swift, MD, discuss high dose radiation therapy - both used in the treatment of cancer.

Health Information: For physician-written articles about breast cancer and related topics, visit our Health Information Library.

Video Breast Cancer Treatment Options
A Video for Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
The purpose of this video is to guide you through the stages of evaluation of this disease, describe factors that affect prognosis, and discuss various treatments which may be appropriate for you. We don’t endorse or recommend one course of treatment over another, but rather provide this information to help you understand your options before you consult with your doctors about your treatment plan. Please note: Viewing this video works best over a high speed internet connection. If you’d prefer to receive a DVD copy, please call our office at (510) 204-1591.
Video Chapter Topics:
Overview
How the Disease Spreads
Determining the Disease Factors
Determining the Stage of Your Disease
Chemotherapy and Hormonal Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Brachytherapy
Patient Perspectives
Next Steps


Back to top

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects more Americans in the California Bay Area than any where else in the nation. Thankfully, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is well-equipped to treat prostate cancer. Our clinical expertise and access to cutting edge technologies and research allows us to stay on the forefront of prostate cancer treatments, increasing our chances of effectively treating you and your loved ones.

Our Programs: To learn more about the prostate cancer resources and clinical programs at Alta Bates Summit, use the links below.
o Comprehensive Cancer Center
o Markstein Cancer Education & Prevention Services
o Radiation Therapy Services at the Summit Campus

Our Doctors and Experts: Use the links below to select an Alta Bates Summit Medical Center physician or to hear audio recordings by our experts.
o Find A Doctor: For prostate cancer, select a Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Urologist or Surgeon.
o Audio Tips: Alta Bates Summit surgeon, Steven Stanten, MD, describes "Robotic Surgery," an innovative new surgical technology used to treat prostate cancer and other conditions.
o Audio Tips: Hear D. Jeffrey Demanes, MD, talk about brachytherapy and Patrick Swift, MD, discuss high dose radiation therapy - both used in the treatment of cancer.

Health Information Library: For physician-written articles about prostate cancer and related topics, visit our Health Information Library.

Video Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
A Video for Men Recently Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
The purpose of this video is to guide you through the stages of the disease, describe factors that affect prognosis, and discuss various treatments that may be appropriate for you. We don’t endorse or recommend one course of treatment over another, but rather provide this information to help you understand your options before you consult with your doctors about your treatment plan. Please note that viewing this video online works best over a high speed Internet connection. If you’d prefer to receive a DVD copy, please call (510) 204-1591.
Video Chapter Topics:
Introduction to Prostate Cancer – anatomical considerations
Anatomy and Patterns of Spread
Predictors of Aggressiveness – PSA levels
Predictors of Aggressiveness – Gleason’s score
Predictors of Aggressiveness – Stage of the disease
Treatment Options, Part I
Treatment Options, Part II
The Next Step


Back to top

Colon/Rectum, Head & Neck, Lung, or Skin Cancer

There are many types of cancer seen in our community. However, colon, rectum, head & neck, lung, ovarian, and skin cancers occur more frequently than other forms of cancer. For this reason, Alta Bates Summit has ensured our community members receive the best possible care by keeping up on cancer research, medical technologies, and enhanced training and expertise. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with one of these cancers, you can be sure that we have several teams of clinicians who specialize in your care.

Our Programs: To learn more about the cancer resources and clinical programs at Alta Bates Summit, use the links below.
o Comprehensive Cancer Center
o Markstein Cancer Education & Prevention Services
o Radiation Therapy Services at the Summit Campus

Our Doctors and Experts: Use the links below to select an Alta Bates Summit Medical Center physician or to hear audio recordings by our experts.
o For colon/rectum cancer, select a Gastroenterologist, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o For head & neck cancer, select a Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o For lung cancer, select a Pulmonologist, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o For ovarian cancer, select an OBGYN, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o For skin cancer, select a Dermatologist, Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, or Surgeon.
o Audio Tips: Hear medical oncologists, D. Jeffrey Demanes, MD, talk about brachytherapy and Patrick Swift, MD, discuss high dose radiation therapy - both used in the treatment of cancer.

Health Information Library: For physician-written articles about colon/rectum cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, or skin cancer and related topics, visit our Health Information Library.


Back to top

Gynecologic Cancer

In the United States, every six minutes a woman is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. That totals more than 82,000 women a year. Gynecologic cancers represent a group of diseases that includes cancers of the ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva, vagina, and the fallopian tube. Read more about the different types of gynecologic cancer.

Due to the varied nature of these diseases, some of which are rare, a specialized interdisciplinary treatment plan is required.

At Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center, we believe the more you understand about your treatment options, the more confident you will feel about your decisions. The following information will provide you with a greater understanding of gynecologic cancers from a symptomatic perspective as well as a discussion of the various types of gynecologic cancers and current treatment options.

Our Programs: To learn more about the cancer resources and clinical programs at Alta Bates Summit, use the links below.
o Comprehensive Cancer Center
o Markstein Cancer Education & Prevention Services
o Radiation Therapy Services at the Summit Campus

Our Doctors and Experts: Use the links below to select an Alta Bates Summit Medical Center physician or to hear audio recordings by our experts.
o For gynecological cancer, select a Gynecologic Oncologist, Medical Oncologist, or Radiation Oncologist.

Health Information Library: For physician-written articles about gynecological cancer and related topics, visit our Health Information Library.


Back to top

Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors of the Spine & Extremities

Another area of specialty practiced at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is orthopedic oncology, which covers tumors (benign, malignant or metastatic) of the soft tissue and bones, and includes tumors afflicting the spine.

Patients are managed with surgery, if necessary, and the physician often collaborates with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and radiologists.

Our Doctors and Experts: Use the links below to select an Alta Bates Summit Medical Center physician.
o Find A Doctor: For orthopedic cancer, select an Orthopedic Oncologist.

Our Programs: To learn more about cancer resources and clinical programs at Alta Bates Summit, use the links below.
o Comprehensive Cancer Center
o Markstein Cancer Education & Prevention Services
o Radiation Therapy Services at the Summit Campus

Health Information Library: For physician-written articles about colon/rectum cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, or skin cancer and related topics, visit our Health Information Library.

Back to top