The CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center was recently awarded Full Approval with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). This is the highest approval rating awarded to cancer programs. Full compliance ratings were awarded for all 36 of the Commission’s standards.

The Commission on Cancer Approvals Program sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Approval by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain their approval, facilities must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Currently only 1,400 facilities nationwide have gained approval for their cancer programs – about 25 percent of all hospitals. The CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center is the only cancer center in the region to have earned this prestigious accreditation.

As technology transforms the treatment of cancer, CHRISTUS Spohn continues to bring advanced medicine to the people of South Texas. A state-of-the-art linear accelerator is available at the Cancer Center and is most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It helps deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor while keeping the dose low for healthy organs.

Now, CHRISTUS Spohn – through the CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation – has plans to fund breakthrough technologies that will provide hope for the one-in-four South Texans who will be diagnosed with cancer sometime during their lifetime.

The da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System allows surgeons to work inside the body through a tiny incision, using three-dimensional imaging and robotic arms. This transforms complex, open surgeries into minimally invasive procedures, reducing risk and speeding recovery. The Cyberknife® Stereotactic Radiosurgery System offers a non-surgical treatment that focuses beams of radiation to small, hard-to-reach areas deep within the body, lowering risk, recovery time and complications.

A healing garden is planned for the Cancer Center – a calm, restorative setting for patients, families and caregivers that will nourish the soul, reduce stress and promote healing and well-being.

Receiving care at the CHRISTUS Spohn Cancer Center ensures patients will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of–the art services and equipment;
• A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options;
• Information about on-going clinical trials and new treatment options;
• Access to cancer related information, education and support;
• A Cancer Registry that collects data on type and stage of cancer and treatment results along with lifelong patient follow up;
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care; and, most importantly,
• Quality care close to home.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.