Hembree Mercy Cancer Center

The Hembree Mercy Cancer Center, named for H.L. and Janelle Hembree of Fort Smith, opened in 1994 at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. Since its inception, the center has treated between 400 and 500 cancer patients per year in an atmosphere known for its caring and professionalism.

Patients may receive a multitude of cancer treatment procedures for almost every type of cancer. These procedures include 3D conformal radiation therapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). Exceptional patient care is provided by a board-certified radiation oncologist, a board-certified medical physicist, a medical dosimetrist, nationally-registered and state-licensed radiation therapists, and various ancillary staff.

This well-established Cancer Center is supported by a director/radiation therapist, a medical physicist, a dosimetrist, four radiation therapists, one RN and one CT Tech/ radiation therapist assistant. Referrals come from a team of five very busy medical oncologists residing within the Hembree Mercy Cancer Center. The Center is equipped with a Varian 21EX with Multi-leaf collimator and a Varian 21C, Phillips Pinnacle 3D treatment planning system and IMPAC information system as well as the BrainLAB Exac Trac X-Ray 6D Image Guided Radiation System (IGRT) was added in 2008. The Center currently treats 40 patients per day with approximately half those patients utilizing Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image Guided Radiation System (IGRT) . The Center installed a Phillips Brilliance Big Bore CT in August 2009. The installation of the CT will provide greater convenience to patients as they will be able to receive their treatment planning CT in the Center rather than traveling to the hospital for their CT. The Big Bore CT also accommodates larger patients and has a weight limit of 650 pounds.

Advanced Technology

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) technology can be used to treat patients with prostate, head and neck, brain, breast and many other cancers. The therapy involves focusing beams onto carefully targeted tumor cells without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. Multiple radiation beams are directed at the tumor from various angles, creating a concentration of radiation dose in the tumor volume.

For each beam, the radiation is modified or modulated across the field of treatment while the linear accelerator is turned on. Enhancing the dose to the tumor using this technology gives physicians a much greater chance of completely destroying the tumor.

Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
The center has recently begun using one of the latest forms of radiation treatment – the BrainLAB ExacTrac X-Ray 6D Image Guided Radiation System (IGRT). This technology uses high-resolution X-rays to pinpoint tumors seconds before treatment, automatically positions the patient with millimeter accuracy, and tracks patient movement throughout the procedure. Normal structures and tumors can move between treatments because of differences in organ filling or movements while breathing. The daily imaging utilized with Image Guided Radiation System (IGRT) allows for better targeting of the cancer while avoiding nearby healthy tissue.

Because of its improved precision, Image Guided Radiation System (IGRT) enables us to deliver higher treatment doses within millimeters of the tumor, significantly reducing the risk to neighboring healthy tissue and improving long-term clinical results. It also allows for a greater range of treatment areas such as prostate, lung, liver, spine and other recurrent small tumors.

Other Services
· Designated parking for our patients in front of the center and in a covered parking garage attached to the center.
· A representative from the American Cancer Society is on-site monthly to educate patients on nutritional supplements, wigs, gas assistance and numerous other support programs and services.

Hembree Mercy Cancer Center
7301 Rogers Ave.
Fort Smith, AR 72917
(479) 314-7545
Toll-free: (800) 378-9373