Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases. Anyone can get cancer and any tissue can develop into cancer. The cells that make up the normal body have genetic mechanisms to control reproduction. Cancer begins when a cell mutates (changes), loses the ability for controlled reproduction, and begins to grow and spread.

Many environmental, chemical, viral, and personal factors may contribute to the change of a cell from normal to a cancer cell. Scientists have described the series of essential genetic steps that must occur for a cell to become transformed. This complex process may occur decades before a cancer is detected.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach

One of the greatest strengths of UH Ireland Cancer Center is its multidisciplinary team approach to treatment. More than 175 professionals from medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and radiology join with specialized oncology nurses, dietitians, social workers, and music and art therapists to formulate individualized patient care plans.

• Each patient care team focuses on a major body system affected by cancer, or on a specific procedure, to ensure that therapies are designed by experts in multiple disciplines.
• A single physician coordinates care with input from the patient's team.
• Each team has developed a treatment care path unique to the disease site. These care paths incorporate the latest therapies, techniques and technologies for patients with various types and stages of cancer. They also assist the clinicians in defining applicable clinical trials for each patient.
• The team approach to care begins during the patient's first visit.