Rapid advances in cancer research are making treatment more effective than ever.

Patients receiving cancer care at Middlesex Health receive medical oncology services through the Connecticut Oncology Group (COG).

The board-certified medical oncologists, nurses, and technicians at COG provide the most effective, advanced care with warm, personal attention and support for patients and their families. In addition, your medical oncology team will work closely with your other providers and provide access to clinical trials.

Learn More About COG

What is chemotherapy?

In general, chemotherapy involves the use of medications to shrink or kill cancerous cells. These medications may be taken intravenously (IV) or as pills.

There are many different types of chemotherapy available, and protocols vary between types of cancer.  Additionally, new drugs are being developed at a rapid rate.

Who determines if I will receive chemotherapy?

Your medical oncologist will use evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise to choose the drug, or combination of drugs, that will be the most effective for your tumor. Your physician will also choose treatments that minimize side-effects as much as possible.

Where will I receive chemotherapy?

You can choose to receive your chemotherapy treatments at:

  • Connecticut Oncology Group
  • The Middlesex Health Cancer Center
  • The Outpatient Infusion Center at Middlesex Hospital
  • Your doctor’s office

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a technique that uses the body's immune system to help fight cancer by stimulating the immune response of the lymph system. This boosts the body's natural defenses to fight cancer.

Cancer can survive as an intruder in your body because your immune system has difficulty recognizing it as a problem. Immunotherapy helps your immune system "see" the cancer and attack it.

What cancers are treated using immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is transforming the treatment protocols for:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Melanoma (skin cancer)

Hormone therapy is sometimes used as part of a cancer treatment in order to add, block, or remove hormones from the body. This helps to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Your Care Team

Michael P. Farrell, MD, PhD

Michael P. Farrell, MD, PhD

Specialties / Areas of Care

  • Hematology

Locations

  • Middletown, CT
    860-358-2220
  • Westbrook, CT
    860-661-9000
Susanna Hong, MD

Susanna Hong, MD

Specialties / Areas of Care

  • Hematology

Locations

  • Middletown, CT
    860-358-2220
  • Westbrook, CT
    860-661-9000
Karthikeyan Kandavelou, MD

Karthikeyan Kandavelou, MD

Specialties / Areas of Care

  • Hematology

Locations

  • Middletown, CT
    860-358-2220
Elizabeth A. Mariano, MD

Elizabeth A. Mariano, MD

Specialties / Areas of Care

  • Hematology

Locations

  • Middletown, CT
    860-358-2220

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