Types of Cancer We Treat

At the Diana J. White Cancer Institute at Adventist Health Sonora, we have expertise in treating all types and stages of cancer. We offer advanced diagnostic and treatment options, so you get the most effective care and best possible results.

You deserve care designed for your needs. Our team provides personalized treatment tailored to your condition, lifestyle and preferences.

Caring for all types of cancer

Cancer isn’t just one disease — there are about 200 types of cancer. These types are alike in some ways, but they grow and spread differently. Some cancers spread more quickly and widely than others.

What is cancer?

Cancer happens when the genes inside cells change (mutate), causing the cells to grow out of control. These unhealthy cells crowd out normal cells, causing problems in the body.

Cancer can start anywhere, including in your organs, blood and skin. Doctors refer to cancer based on where it starts in the body. For instance, lung cancer is still called lung cancer, even if it spreads to the bones.

Cancer symptoms

You might not have symptoms of cancer in the early stages. These symptoms vary based on the type, size and location of the cancer and how far it has spread. Some general symptoms include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Skin changes

Symptoms of certain cancers include:

• Changes in your bowel or bladder habits or function
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• White patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue
• Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body
• Indigestion or trouble swallowing
• Skin changes, including sores that don’t heal or changes in warts or moles
• Lingering cough or hoarseness

Talk with a doctor if you have symptoms that don’t go away or get worse. You may experience other symptoms, so see your doctor if you have other changes in the way your body works or how you feel. Early diagnosis can make a difference in successfully treating cancer.

Cancer diagnosis

Your oncologist (cancer doctor) will perform one or more tests to provide a cancer diagnosis. We’ll also diagnose the stage of the cancer, or how far it has spread from where it began. Cancer in stages 1 or 2 hasn’t spread far, while cancer in stages 3 and 4 has spread farther.

Your doctor will explain the stage of the cancer and your treatment options. Different types of cancer respond to treatment in different ways.

You may need more than one type of treatment. For example, you may need surgery before or after chemotherapy.

Cancer types

Adventist Health’s oncology specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating all types and stages of cancer, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Endometrial cancer/Ovarian/GYN
• Hematology (blood diseases)
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma/Hodgkins lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer

Comprehensive, individualized cancer treatment

We offer comprehensive, customized care. Our team of experts provides a full range of oncology services for all types and stages of cancer, including:

• Cancer diagnosis
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Cancer surgery
  • Breast cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • GYN cancer
  • Urologic cancer
• Gynecologic
• Prostate cancer

For more information, call the Diana J. White Cancer Institute at (209) 536-6940.