Surgery remains the essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the treatment of most malignant diseases and their cures. Decatur General Hospital offers a multi-specialty approach to cancer treatment supported by excellent anesthesiology, pathology, radiology, oncology, radiation therapy and nursing staff support.

Weekly tumor conferences offer a forum for the presentation, open discussion, consensus, and appropriate cancer treatment for Tennessee Valley patients.

New data and technology is rapidly adopted by our surgeons and in fall 1999, sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer and melanoma was incorporated into our surgical armentarium. Currently, sentinel node biopsy is offered to all breast cancer patients who meet the appropriate criteria. Our success rate in identifying the sentinel node with false-negative incidence is well within the accepted norm of major institutions that perform this procedure.

The Department of Surgery has a strong commitment to remaining in the forefront of the surgical treatment of malignancy diseases.

Kenneth E. Chandler, MD, FACS
Surgery