Baptist Health Corbin opens Radiation Oncology Center

Photo by Melissa Hudson

Baptist Health Corbin’s Radiation Oncology Center is officially open.

The hospital cut the ribbon on Nov. 18.

The Baptist Health Corbin Cancer Center is a hospital-based, community cancer program. With the established services offered by the center, the hospital can now offer radiation therapy, a cancer treatment that utilizes high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

“Radiation helps cure cancers and prolong patients’ lives with relatively mild toxicities. Patients would be able to have treatments with the benefit of remaining close to family during this difficult time, as lots of radiation treatments take weeks. Not having to travel far away and a prompt start would prevent delays for cancer treatments,” said Dr. Weisi Yan, a radiation oncologist with Baptist Health Medical Group.

The hospital’s radiation center includes equipment that allows specialized treatment such as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).

SBRT allows hospital staff to treat tumors within one to two millimeters, while sparing healthy tissue and reducing the overall number of treatments. While some patients may only receive radiation therapy, other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy may be used in conjunction to provide the patient with comprehensive care throughout the entirety of their treatment.

“Everyone on the team works together to provide the highest level of care for every patient.  Each team member is highly trained in performing or supporting radiation oncology procedures and in caring for the individual needs of our patients. When you’re a patient here, our compassionate and skilled team will be with you every step of the way,” stated Dr. Yan.

The hospital’s team includes radiation oncologists, a nurse practitioner, radiation therapists, a radiation oncology nurse, a dosimetrist and a radiation physicist.