Cancer Services
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States with heart disease being the first. Nearly two million new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., with 28,000 being in Louisiana, according to the National Cancer Center.1 For women in Louisiana, the leading cause of death from cancer is breast, lung/bronchus, and colorectal. For Louisiana men, the leading cause of death from cancer is prostate, lung, and colorectal.2
With cancer affecting so many people in Louisiana, including Natchitoches Parish and surrounding communities, NRMC has created a comprehensive cancer care network that includes cancer specialists, an outstanding Cancer Center, Breast Center, surgery suites for traditional and robotic surgery, and support services such as radiology, pathology, and pharmacy. All these services are further supported by NRMC’s nursing team, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and customer service representatives. At NRMC, all these specialists and services are part of a patient’s Circle of Care.
NRMC Cancer Center
As a specialty, cancer care has two primary branches — medical oncology/hematology and radiation oncology. At NRMC Cancer Center both are provided on an outpatient basis. If a patient needs hospitalization, the full services of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center are available for specific patient needs. The hospital’s diagnostic services are an important part of the overall cancer care NRMC provides, both to inpatients and outpatients. Imaging, surgical biopsy, full laboratory, and other services are conveniently available at NRMC.
Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology
Our 10,000 square-foot Cancer Center provides medical oncology and hematology services, as well as, radiation oncology services – all on an outpatient basis. The Center has an infusion suite equipped with comfortable patient care areas for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, transfusions, infusions, and other IV services.
There is also a radiation treatment center onsite equipped with a state-of-the-art Dual Energy Linear Accelerator for Modulated Radio Therapy (IMRT). The radiation oncologist prepares computerized treatment planning and a special CT Scanner for CT Simulation.
Cancer Center Team
NRMC Cancer Center is focused on patient needs, patient safety, and customer service. Under the leadership of medical oncologist Dr. Furqan Akhtar and radiation oncologist Dr. Troy Richards; our team of experienced nurses, phlebotomists, technologists, pharmacists, and other cancer care team members work together to provide precise treatment and care based on each patient’s detailed treatment plan to target their specific cancer. Family Nurse Practitioner Chrys Thompson also sees patients and provides follow-up care/checkups and serves as a patient navigator, helping patients better understand the process, timelines, and answer questions as they arise. Patients always have access to their care team throughout treatments and even after treatments are complete.
Bell Tower
A hallmark of the Center is the large bell on the front lawn. Traditionally, ringing of the bell signifies the completion of treatment such as chemotherapy. When a patient reaches that milestone, a ceremony is held in the patient’s honor, as they ring the bell in front of family, friends, their physicians, and the Cancer Center team.
Tumor Board
The NRMC Cancer Center holds multidisciplinary tumor conferences in which physicians and other healthcare professionals share knowledge as they review and discuss complex cancer cases. Their goal is to find the best options moving forward to effectively treat atypical cancers given the patient’s medical history, type and stage of cancer, location, and many other factors.
For more information about NRMC Cancer Center, please click here or call 318.214-5774.
Breast Cancer Care
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women, representing 15.2% of all new cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). At NRMC Breast Center our entire team is focused on encouraging women to get their annual exams, and in recent years, has noted a positive trend in the number of women coming in annually for a routine mammography screening. As a result, radiologists are finding tiny cancers using state-of-the-art 3D mammography. When found early, the five-year breast cancer survival rate is almost 90%, according to the National Cancer Institute.
For more information on NRMC Breast Center and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.4265
Urologic Cancer Care
Urologic cancers are cancers that affect the organs and structures of the urinary system as well as the male reproductive system. At NRMC Urology Associates our board certified physicians, Dr. Kenneth Perego and Dr. Eric Castle, are focused on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer for both men and women. They provide care for kidney, adrenal, ureter, and bladder cancers, and specific to men – prostate cancer and testicular cancer as well as tumors in the scrotum, penis, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
For more information on NRMC Urology Associates and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.5810.
Lung Cancer Care
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. with prostate cancer being more common in men and breast cancer more common in women, according to the American Cancer Society. At NRMC Pulmonology Associates, expert cancer care is provided to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients with lung cancer
For more information on NRMC Pulmonology Associates and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.5770.
Gynecologic Cancer Care
Gynecologic cancers are cancers that affect the organs and structures of the female reproductive system. At NRMC OB/GYN Associates, our board-certified OB/GYNs Dr. Martin Aviles and Dr. Moshood Olatinwo diagnose, treat, and monitor women with ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and uterine cancer.
For more information on NRMC OB/GYN Associates and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.5773.
General Surgery & Cancer Care
General Surgeons see patients with a wide range of surgical needs related to cancer. They provide biopsies and the surgical removal of tumors. At NRMC General Surgery Associates, our board-certified general surgeons, Dr. William A. Ball, Jr., and Dr. Steven Jackson, are experts in malignant abdominal tumors, breast cancer – performing Lumpectomies and Mastectomies, colon and rectal cancer, and skin cancers including melanoma. Their expertise is in traditional, as well as minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Dr. Ball and Dr. Jackson use advanced imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor patients’ conditions as well as highly specific pathology studies to identify cancer markers, antigens, and types and grade of cancer.
For more information on NRMC General Surgery Associates and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.5770.
Orthopedics & Cancer Care
From laboratory testing to MRI’s, CT scans and other imaging tools, orthopedic surgeons can better understand the precise medical needs of their patients and work closely in conjunction with radiologists and pathologists in diagnosing cancer. At NRMC Orthopedics Associates, our board certified orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Ted Jordan and Dr. Ricardo Valle’s expertise includes diagnosis of cancer affecting the musculoskeletal system, including osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma.
For more information on NRMC Orthopedic Associates and their role in our Circle of Cancer Care, click here or call 318.214.5770.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Cancer Care
All of our NRMC specialists work closely with the medical oncologist and radiation oncologist at NRMC Cancer Center to provide a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatments. Many are also members of the NRMC Tumor Board in which they study and discuss complex cases with other members of the care team to ensure the best options are being utilized for each patient. Below are podcasts with more information regarding our specialists and cancer care.
Dr. Furqan Akhtar
211 Medical Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5774
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch
Internship: Internal Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport
Residency: Hematology and Oncology at LSU Health Shreveport
Dr. Troy Richards
211 Medical Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5774
Medical School: Tulane University in New Orleans, LA
Internship: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Dr. William A. Ball, Jr.
601 Keyser Ave
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5770
Medical School: Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Internship: Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia
Residency: Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Steven Jackson
601 Keyser Ave
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5770
Medical Education: Doctor of Osteopathy, Oklahoma State University College of Health Sciences
Surgery Internship: Suncoast Hospital, Largo, Florida
Residency: Suncoast Hospital, Largo, Florida
Dr. Kenneth L. Perego, II
Urologist
647 Bienville Circle
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.445.9306
Medical School: Louisiana State School of Medicine in New Orleans
Internship: General Surgery Internship and Residency at Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M Medical Center
Residency: Urology at Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M Medical Center
Dr. Erik Castle
647 Bienville Circle
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5810
Medical School: University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School
Internship: Surgery, Truman Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO
Residency: Urology at University of Kansas Medical Center
Fellowship: Laparoscopic and Reconstructive Urologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic of Arizona
Dr. Martin Aviles
627 Bienville Circle
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5773
Medical School: Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine
Internship: Monmouth Medical Center
Residency: Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn
Dr. Moshood Olatinwo
627 Bienville Circle
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5773
Medical School: Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Internship: Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Residency: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria
Fellowship: University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England
Dr. Theodore F. Jordan
601 Keyser Ave
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318.214.5770
Medical School: Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD.
Internship: Malcolm Grow USAF; Andrews AFB
Residency: Wilfred Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB
Dr. David Chambers, Pulmonologist/ NRMC Pulmonology Associates
Dr. Afsana Asharaf, Pulmonologist/ NRMC Pulmonology Associates
Dr. Shreedhar Kulkarni, Pulmonologist/ NRMC Pulmonology Associates
Dr. Dylan Harrell, Pulmonologist/ NRMC Pulmonology Associates
Related Podcasts:
Dr. Steven Jackson with Kirk Soileau, Ceo / General Surgery Services
Medical Oncologist Dr. Furqan Akhtar/Nrmc Cancer Center
Breast Cancer Awareness with Ceo Kirk Soileau and General Surgeon Dr. William Ball
Prostate Cancer with Dr. Kenneth Perego and Kirk Soileau
Urology and NRMC Specialties with Mr. Soileau and Dr. Perego