Oncology

Trident Health offers a range of traditional and innovative services in its cancer program, including:

• Comprehensive screenings to detect cancer in its early stages
• Advanced treatment technologies to minimize the impact on daily life
• High-dose radiation treatments for breast and gynecological cancers
• Support for patients throughout their treatment journey, including access to a nurse navigator

Our team of physicians and specialists provide care for benign and malignant tumors in the head and neck region. We treat patients with:

Treatments we provide

Our treatments aren't one size fits all. As part of your personalized care plan, our multidisciplinary team may use the following treatment options:

Signs and symptoms of head and neck cancers include:

We offer procedures for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. As the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. according to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer has a significant impact on the person diagnosed and their support system. Our staff and physicians follow patient- and family-centered care principles, using every resource available to treat all types of lung cancer while offering comprehensive support.

Lung cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms in its early stage. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

Lung cancer screenings

Trident Medical Center offers low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings for patients to enhance early detection of lung cancer and reduce mortality among smokers.

According to a National Cancer Institute study, using LDCT scans to screen smokers for lung cancer reduces the risk of death by 20 percent compared to those screened by a chest X-ray.

High-risk individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Patients must be between 50 and 80 years old
• Patient must currently be a smoker or quit within the last 15 years
• Patient smoked 20 or more packs per year

If you meet the criteria for a lung cancer screening, contact your doctor for a referral.  After you receive the referral, you can make an appointment by calling central scheduling at (877) 357-0156.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women, but early detection means a better likelihood of beating it. At Trident Medical Center, our Breast Center of Excellence status ensures we offer access to high-quality imaging services.

Breast cancer symptoms can include:

• A new lump in the breast or underarm
• Swelling in a part of the breast
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast
• Nipple discharge

Breast cancer screenings and diagnostics

We offer patients access to screenings to evaluate their breast health and detect breast cancer through mammograms and ultrasounds.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It helps detect tumors that are too small to feel with a manual exam. There are different recommendations on mammogram screening guidelines. Generally, women who are between 40 and 74 years old with an average risk of developing breast cancer should get annual mammograms.

Mammograms are available at Trident Medical Center, Summerville Medical Center and Moncks Corner Medical Center. We offer same-day results on mammography procedures.

For your convenience, we offer online mammogram scheduling.

An ultrasound helps doctors look for tumors that may not be detected with X-rays. Radiologists at Trident Breast Care Center use automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), which can find up to 30 percent more cancers in women with dense breast tissue.

About 40 percent of women have dense breasts, which is a risk factor for breast cancer. Dense breasts can be up to six times more likely to develop breast cancer, and cancerous tumors are more difficult to find on regular mammograms.

More than 10 percent of men will be affected by prostate cancer, but when caught early, has a very high survival right. As part of Trident Health's urologic services, our urologists collaborate with our oncologists to provide advanced treatment options for prostate cancer.

We offer dedicated care for patients with gynecological cancers or pre-cancers.  We treat gynecological cancers, which include vulvar, vaginal, cervical, uterine, fallopian tube, ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers.

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgical techniques to help you experience less pain and a faster recovery.  Our specialized services for treating gynecological cancers include:

• Bowel and urinary tract resection, diversion and reconstruction
• Cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization
• Hysterectomies
• Pelvic exenterations
• Pelvic, para-aortic and inguinal lymph node dissection to identify the stage and spread of cancer
• Radical cytoreductive surgery for advanced cancers
• Salpingo-oophorectomy
• Vaginectomy
• Vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula repair
• Vulvectomy

Any woman who has received a gynecological cancer diagnosis should seek the expertise of a gynecological oncologist. Some gynecological cancers do not produce any symptoms and can only be detected with a PAP smear, blood work or biopsy.  However, the following symptoms may be signs that you should seek medical attention:

• Abnormal bleeding, such as bleeding between periods, bleeding after intercourse, bleeding after menopause and unusually heavy or prolonged bleeding
• Constantly feeling swollen, bloated or full or ongoing gas, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea or constipation
• Feeling very tired all of the time or shortness of breath
• Frequent, urgent, difficult or painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain, pressure or a mass in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
• Severe burning, itching or pain in the genital area
• Skin changes on the vulva
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual vaginal discharge or discharge with an unusual color or odor