Compassionate Care, Leading Expertise
With accredited cancer care centers within an academic medical system, the Albany Med Health System offers patients numerous benefits that include a team approach to care, state-of-the-art services and equipment, and information about clinical trials and new treatment options.
We offer services such as interventional radiology for cancer detection, biologic therapies, immunology and newer forms of radiation oncology for cancer treatment, non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery, pediatric oncology, advanced surgical oncology, genetic counseling, and laser ablation.
Care Throughout the Capital Region
All locations and physicians providing cancer care in the System can be found in the Get Care section of this page.
For pediatric cancer care at Albany Medical Center, visit the Melodies Center. Learn more about the C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital, and about cancer care services available at Saratoga Hospital.
We maintain a strong partnership with New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH). This partnership includes care, treatment, and access to clinical trials. NYOH is available at Albany Medical Center and has an office adjacent to Columbia Memorial Health.
- Bone forming tumors
- Cartilage forming tumors
- Fibrous tumors
- Cystic tumors
- Unknown and tumor simulators
- Lipomas
- Hemangiomas
- Ganglions
- Nerve sheath tumors
- Acoustic neuroma
- Astrocytoma
- Brain metastases
- Choroid plexus carcinoma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Embryonal tumors
- Ependymoma
- Glioblastoma
- Glioma
- Medulloblastoma
- Meningioma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Pediatric brain tumors
- Pineoblastoma
- Pituitary tumors
Learn more about breast cancer in men and women, as well as preventive and benign breast care.
- Acute leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia
- Myelodsyplasia
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Non Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Amyloidosis
- Cervical cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
- Oral cavity cancer
- Parathyroid disorders
- Salivary gland (parotid/submandibular)
- Tonsil cancer
- Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Osteosarcoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Metastatic bone disease (carcinomas)
- Multiple myeloma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
Learn more about skin cancer care through Plastic Surgery at Albany Medical Center.
Learn more about skin cancer care through Dermatology at Saratoga Hospital.
- Liposarcoma
- Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
- Synovial sarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
Surgical oncology is a field of cancer care that focuses on surgery to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer, and to manage some cancer-related symptoms. Surgical oncologists are additionally trained in advanced surgical oncology methods and tumor biology and behavior. You will often hear the term hepatobiliary associated with surgical oncology.
Watch this video of surgical oncologist Dr. Ankesh Nigam on the importance of teamwork and new ideas.
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancers
- Lung tumor, nodule, and metastasis
- Metastatic cancers affecting organs inside the chest
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer and benign prostate conditions
- Testicular cancer
Your Support Team
Learning that you have been diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming. Having a strong support system can help. We have programs and services available to address your physical, emotional, and social needs during every step of your cancer treatment. Your provider can connect you with these services.
Oncology Social Workers
Provides emotional support to patients and families, refers to local support groups, helps with transportation, health insurance, and financial issues, and links to community resources like food assistance and shelter.
Visiting Nurses
The Visiting Nurses is a member of the Albany Med Health System and plays a role in home care for cancer patients.
Breast Nurse Navigators
Specializes in helping newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with follow-up appointments, breast imaging, lymphedema physical therapy, genetic testing, and financial assistance. Meals to Heal Program: Partners with nonprofit organization Feed Albany to deliver free prepared meals to the homes of in-need local patients currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Registered Dieticians
Provide dietary strategies for managing cancer treatment side effects and make evidence-based diet and lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention and survivorship.
Speech Pathologists
Helps patients whose cancers involve the head and neck to maintain and improve their speech and swallowing abilities before, during, and after treatment.
Palliative and Supportive Care
Partners with oncology providers to maximize patients’ quality of life by assisting with pain and symptom management, as well as navigating
complex medical decisions.
Genetic Counselors
Evaluate patients with personal and family histories of cancer, off er, order, and interpret appropriate genetic tests, and help patients make informed decisions about cancer prevention and management.
Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Provide individual, group, and family psychotherapies and medication management for patients and loved ones experiencing anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Cancer Research at Albany Medical College
In a quest to discover more about the basic mechanisms underlying cancer, exciting biomedical cancer research is conducted in the labs at Albany Medical College in the Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology.
After patients complete cancer treatment, they may be eligible to receive a personal Survivorship Care Plan. This plan includes a summary of all treatment provided for cancer and a schedule of follow-up visits with each doctor involved in their care.
Our patients have access to the following services during and after cancer treatment:
- Survivorship care plans
- Individual and family counseling support and referrals
- Assistance with disability and family leave benefits
- Financial assistance and counseling
- Lymphedema physical therapy
- Genetic counseling
- Ostomy nursing care
- Nutrition counseling
- Plastic surgery care and follow-up
- Speech and swallowing therapy
- Cardio-oncology program for long-term cardiac follow-up
- Coordinated transition of care from pediatric to adult oncology
- Screening programs for other types of cancer
Comprehensive distress screening helps patients identify emotional, social, and financial concerns that may impact them during or after treatment. An oncology social worker is available to assist with these concerns. Referrals can be made for services close to home.
Referral services include:
- Support groups for patients and caregivers
- Grants and financial assistance
- Health insurance counseling
- Wellness and exercise programs
- Tobacco cessation
- Legal assistance
- Home health care
- Volunteer caregiving
Survivorship Q&A
What is survivorship?
Cancer survivorship is more than surviving cancer. It starts from the time of diagnosis, continues after treatment, and includes family, friends and caregivers. We created the Cancer Survivorship Program to offer follow-up options that are accessible and comprehensive.
What kind of follow-up care do I need after my treatment ends?
Your oncology team will work with you to plan follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. This may include regular imaging (such as CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound) or blood tests. If you have a specific location where you prefer to have these tests done, let your doctor know. You may receive a Survivorship Care Plan that summarizes the cancer treatment you had and outlines your surveillance plan.
How do I get help with the side effects of treatment?
Although some cancer treatments can cause long-term side effects, our experts are available to help. Our providers offer nutritional counseling, lymphedema care and physical therapy, swallowing therapy, and much more.
How does my primary care doctor fit in?
After cancer treatment, it’s important to continue regular medical care with your primary care provider. This includes annual physical exams, preventative care like vaccinations, and cancer screenings like colonoscopies. Through the Cancer Survivorship Program, we can help coordinate your medical care between your oncology team and your primary care provider.
What kind of support is there for me as a survivor?
Being a cancer survivor brings unique emotional and social challenges. Readjusting to life after cancer—at home and at work—can take time. Our cancer survivorship social worker can refer you to local support groups and counselors who can help you cope with this new transition.
