The START Center, our patients recieve the most advanced oncology and hematology treatment availabe, in a compassionate, personalized setting.
At South Texas Oncology and Hematology, we use an integrated and individualized model of care, which means that there is constant communication between your referring doctor and our specialized cancer surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and research physicians to specifically consider the details of each patient's diagnosis and best options for treatment.
Our group currently treats approximately 80% of all referred melanoma patients in San Antonio and the surrounding area.
Our approach to melanoma and skin cancer is to use the most advanced treatment strategies currently available and to be quick to adopt new discoveries that will benefit our patients.
Our ServicesAt the START Center for Cancer Care, our high volume of patients and community involvement grant us access to advanced treatment options that set us apart. Among these innovations are injectable vaccines and the ability to scan for lymph node involvement to determine the necessity of lymph node removal, ensuring precise and effective treatment. Additionally, we offer genetic profiling tests that allow us to tailor care plans to the unique needs of each patient, providing personalized and optimized treatment strategies. The START Center for Cancer Care utilizes integrated healthcare systems to surface the most current NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), driving concordance with evidence-based guidelines to achieve clinical results. Tumor board meetings are held amongst the team on a regular basis to discuss cases as a group and evaluate options, as to de-escalate care, when appropriate, prevent overtreatment, and minimize unnecessary interventions while maintaining the highest standard of care. Our goal is to provide the least invasive treatment possible and prioritizing the well-being of our patients.
Cancer prevention, high-risk cancer screening, oncologic surveillance protocols, and treatment algorithms have been developed at our internal tumor board and through collaboration with physician colleagues while following national guidelines. Our team of highly experienced clinicians, nurses, and staff maintain a patient-centered focus throughout the continuum of care. Many patients treated at START have been able to benefit from highly effective treatments on clinical trials, many years before the drugs were approved by the FDA.
Our program features a dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialists, including surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. The collaborative approach ensures that every aspect of patient care is addressed, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The skin cancer program also features the program coordinator to navigate patients during their treatment course, answer questions, and provide a source of emotional support from the point of referral and throughout the cancer journey.
The START Center, our patients recieve the most advanced oncology and hematology treatment availabe, in a compassionate, personalized setting.
The START skin surgeons are highly experienced surgeons who are leaders in their field. They specialize in providing the leading-edge surgical options for optimal treatment outcomes for their skin cancer patients.
With cutting edge Linear Accelorators, our Radiation Oncologists are able to treat cancer quickly with minimal side-effects.
• Chemotherapy rehabilitation
• Functional Movement restoration
• Lymphedema management
• Pain control
• Prehabilitation
A healthy lifestyle is an important part of life, cancer treatment, recovery, and prevention. The START skin Program team is here to help you make informed choices concerning your nutrition and exercise, and help you to achieve and maintain good health during and after your treatment.
We have many financial counselors who are available to inform all patients of resources available to assist them with not only co-pay and coinsurance costs, but general healthcare costs as well.
The genetic counselor will also review information about the genetics of cancer predisposition, the pros and cons of genetic testing and options for cancer screening and risk reduction.
The START Center for Cancer Research, our mission is to accelerate the development of new anticancer drugs that will improve the quality of life and survival for patients with cancer and lead to its eventual cure.
START is a trusted name in skin cancer treatment, with an impressive patient volume. The skin cancer program sees an average of 21 new skin cancer patients per month, amounting to approximately 250 new patients annually, with cases increasing each year. The extensive experience has allowed START to refine the approach to skin cancer and stay at the forefront of skin cancer treatment innovation.
I've been a patient going to the START center since November 2020. I have zero complaints! The doctor's are amazing, the staff are excellent, it's easy to navigate around, and they have a STRIC imaging clinic in house so everything is so convenient! There is an in house pharmacy as well. They have 2 very large chemotherapy treatment rooms. All the nurses are very nice and knowledgeable. The START center has so many programs to help cancer patients, including nutrition, physical fitness, mental health stability, and groups to help you through your cancer if you have questions or need someone to talk to. This place is amazing and I am so glad to be a part of it!
Omg! From entry to exit this place is wonderful! Caring staff and the doctors really take their time with you. There is sometimes a wait to see the doctor but it's definitely worth it for the care you receive.
It's a nice facility. The staff is professional, curious, and fast. Couldn't ask for better treatment than I got.
They care about me and finding the best way to fight my cancer. They care about me as a person and really want the best for us all.
These people are simply amazing. every aspect for our care the last four years has been nothing short of amazing.
Cancer Care is not a singualar experience, It Plural. 1
Cancer treatment and research takes a community. At the START center, we value the great partnership and cooperation in cancer care.
