Programs and cancer treatments

The number of cancer treatments is constantly growing, which means more life-changing opportunities for patients. Treatments can be complex but the main types of treatment are:

  • Surgical oncology, which removes solid mass tumors with surgery
  • Radiation therapy, which delivers high doses of radiation to specific sites to destroy cancer cells
  • Systemic treatment, which delivers medication that is processed through your body before reaching the cancer site.

Patients may get a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of cancer, its location and stage.

There are also specific treatments and surgeries that support cancer treatment. These could include preventative procedures to stop the cancer from spreading, or “rescue therapies” like stem cell therapy, that help the body respond better to treatment.

Cancer care at KHSC, by the numbers
  • 5 sites across Southeastern Ontario, supporting patients and families
  • 550,000+ patients supported in 8 different communities
  • 20 medical oncologists and 5 hematologists on staff, alongside specialists in gynecological oncology and surgical oncology
  • 7000 new patients seen each, on average, each year
  • 1000+ treatments and procedures, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, done each year at satellite sites
  • 2151 surgeries completed to treat cancer in 2023, 45 of which used surgical robotics
  • 8327 radiation therapy procedures completed last year at KHSC
  • An average of 125 stem cell procedures, including collection and transplant, completed annually at KHSC

Clinics and procedures

Breast Reconstruction Clinic

The clinic provides support to patients with breast cancer through a thorough breast reconstruction program that connects patients with breast reconstruction surgeons. For more information, click here.
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Cancer Genetics

The program offers support to you and your family if you are at risk to develop cancer based on your genetic or family traits. Cancer genetics can help you understand your risk for cancer, get cancer screening, or access care from cancer specialists. For more information click here.
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Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and systemic treatment

Cancer can be treated with different types of drugs, including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy and supportive drug therapy. These drugs are also called systemic treatments. Each drug works in a different way to treat cancer. To learn more click here.
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Clinical Trials

Clinical trials test new ways to prevent, diagnose, treat or manage cancer. Participation in clinical trials is completely your choice and there are standards that must be met to be able to participate. To read more click here.
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Dermatology (Mohs Clinic)

Mohs surgery is used to remove non-melanoma skin cancers from sensitive areas (e.g., head, face, neck). The specialist looks at cancer cells under a microscope in real-time to make sure that all the cancerous cells have been removed. This is performed under local anesthetic as an outpatient.
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Imaging

Medical imaging uses a number of specialized procedures to diagnose various cancers, and monitor treatment. Learn about the types of imaging used at KHSC.
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Pediatric oncology

When a child is diagnosed with cancer it marks the beginning of a difficult journey. Our Pediatric Oncology team will work with you and your family to focus on your needs and to support you through this experience.
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Pharmacy

The Southeast Regional Cancer Program at KHSC has a dedicated pharmacy, responsible for preparing systemic cancer treatments.
The oncology pharmacy at KHSC develops, produces and distributes over 4000 chemotherapy treatments annually that are then provided at satellite sites in the southeast region.
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Radiation therapy, brachytherapy and dosimetry

Radiation therapy uses radiation or radioactive substances to damage and kill cancer cells. To learn more about radiation therapy at KGH, click here.
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Stem cell transplant and cellular therapy

The Stem Cell Transplant Program at KGH performs autologous stem cell transplants to treat certain types of cancer. An autologous transplant is done using stem cells that have been taken from your own body.
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Surgery

Cancer surgery may be your only treatment, or it may be offered with other treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Generally, the main goal of surgery is to remove solid mass tumors from the body.
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For patients

Preparing for your appointment

Learn how to prepare for your appointment.
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Getting to the Cancer Centre

Learn how to get to the Cancer Centre at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
Click here

Patient education, information and resources

Access information and resources for patients.
Click here

Contact the Cancer Centre

Contact a specific program or staff member at the Cancer Centre.
Click here
A photo of a patient receiving stem cell therapy with the text "this is the place"

Cancer Care at KHSC

As part of the Cancer Care Ontario network, KHSC and its partners provide care for over 550,000 patients from Trenton to Smiths Falls. Population density is low, and the demographic served is older and more rural than many other Cancer Care Ontario regions. Many patients live over an hour away from KHSC, so the goal is to provide care closer to home.
Learn why this is the place that's making a difference in cancer care.