Dr. Ray Peters combines humane, patient-centered care with the academic pursuit of better cancer therapies giving new hope to patients and families.

Dr. Peters provides expertise in medical oncology and hematology.

He also provides exceptional care for non-cancerous blood diseases, including bleeding and clotting disorders.

The medical services offered are the medical aspects of cancer care. 

THE INFUSION CENTER

The recently renovated Ambulatory Infusion Center provides a relaxing, spacious atmosphere for chemotherapy and infusion patients. Because treatment can be lengthy, the environment is calming, from the furniture to the decor. In addition to space, the renovations have improved the flow of patients, adding up to an overall improved level of care. Services provided include: Chemotherapy Biotherapy Therapeutic IV Treatments Daily Antibiotic Therapy Therapeutic Injections Hydration, Lab Draw Dressing Changes and Flushing of Devices.

Methods of Treatment

There are four standard methods of treatment for cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and biologic therapy.

When initially diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Ray Peters will provide you with the best possible cancer treatment options. He will recommend the best treatment plan based on your type of cancer, how far it has spread, and other important factors like your age and general health.

Surgery

Surgery can be used to prevent, treat, stage (determine how advanced the cancer is), and diagnose cancer. In relation to cancer treatment, surgery is done to remove tumors or as much of the cancerous tissue as possible. It is often performed in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
For those whose cancer is not treatable, palliative surgery may be an option to relieve pain that may be caused by the cancer. Palliative surgery is not intended to treat or cure the cancer, or even to prolong life, but more to lessen discomfort.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses of drugs to eliminate cancer cells. Unlike surgery, chemotherapy affects the entire body, not just a specific part. It works by targeting rapidly multiplying cancer cells. Unfortunately, other types of cells in our bodies also multiply at high rates, like hair follicle cells and the cells that line our stomachs. This is why chemo can cause side effects like hair loss and an upset stomach.

Chemotherapy is most commonly given by pill or intravenously (IV), but can be given in other ways. A single type of chemotherapy, or a combination of drugs, may be prescribed for a specific length of time. Like surgery, chemotherapy can be prescribed alone, in conjunction with radiation therapy or biologic therapy.

Biologic or Targeted Therapy

Biologic therapy is a term for drugs that target characteristics of cancerous tumors. Some types of targeted therapies work by blocking the biological processes of tumors that allow tumors to thrive and grow. Other types of therapies cut off the blood supply to the tumor, causing it to basically starve and die because of a lack of blood.

Targeted therapy is used in select types of cancer and is not available for everyone. It is given in conjunction with other cancer treatments.

Also, other services not necessarily related to oncology. 

Other services and diagnostics offered by the Cancer Treatment Center at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center include:

Surgical Services

Our dedicated team of surgical specialists works with cancer patients and their primary care physicians if a recommendation for surgery arises. Areas of surgical treatment range from breast cancer to gastrointestinal cancer (including the esophagus, stomach and small intestine), from colon cancer (with laparoscopic re-sections) to skin cancer and lung cancer (with thoracoscopic procedures), as well as prostate surgery and radiation seed implantation, and sentinel lymph node surgery.

In addition, the surgical team also provides care to select cases of gallbladder, liver and pancreatic cancers, as well as procedures related to lymphoma and leukemia, and placement of vascular access devices for chemotherapy administration. Should a lump or tumor be detected in the salivary (parotid) gland, Poplar Bluff Regional Cancer Center surgeon Stephen Bush, MD, offers a procedure to reduce painful swelling and determine if the lump is cancerous.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses certain types of energy to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells. It works by damaging a cancer cell's DNA, making it unable to multiply. Cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when treated. Nearby healthy cells can be damaged as well, but are resilient and are able to fully recover. Radiation therapy may be given alone, along with chemotherapy, and/or with surgery. The decision to combine radiation therapy with other types of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and other factors.

Diagnostic Services

CT Scan

CT, or computed tomography, is an essential tool in diagnosing and treating cancer.
You may be referred to a nearby hospital or imaging center if CT scanning is required for your care.

CT is a diagnostic procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to obtain cross-sectional pictures of the body. The CT computer displays these pictures as detailed images of organs, bones, and other tissues. This procedure is also called CT scanning, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography (CAT).

In cancer care, CT is used in several ways:

• To detect or confirm the presence of a tumor
• To provide information about the size and location of the tumor and whether it has spread
• To guide a biopsy (the removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope)
• To help plan radiation therapy or surgery

PET Scan

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a diagnostic examination used to detect cancer, determine the stage of cancer, and evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

You also may be referred to a nearby hospital or imaging center if PET scanning is required for your care.

In a PET scan, radioactive sugar molecules are injected into the body. Cancer cells absorb sugar more quickly than normal cells, so they light up on the PET scan. A PET scan is often used to complement information gathered from a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or physical examination. An integrated PET-CT scan collects images from both PET and CT scans at the same time and superimposes the images.

In cancer care, PET scan is used to determine whether the cancer is responding to treatment

MRI Scanning

Nuclear Scanning

Invasive Radiology

Endoscopy

Bronchoscopy

GED

Colposcopy

Pathology Services