Sutter Cancer Centers' skilled and respected medical oncology teams provide expert diagnosis, treatment planning and care for patients with all forms of cancer. As cancer specialists, oncologists stay abreast of emerging therapies and may direct patients to clinical trials of the latest developments. In Sacramento, Sutter Medical Group's Oncology & Hematology and Sacramento Center for Hematology & Medical Oncology, have specialists who provide care to a majority of patients.

Cancer care is delivered in a hospital setting or through outpatient services, depending on the patients' needs. Inpatient care at Sutter Cancer Centers takes place in a dedicated 36-bed unit in Sacramento and a 24-bed unit in Roseville. Inpatient care provides 24-hour-a-day multidisciplinary care for the adult oncology patient with acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma and various solid tumors that require complex chemotherapy or treatment interventions.

In Sacramento and Roseville, the majority of nurses who care for cancer patients have received extensive training and testing to become oncology certified nurses (OCNs). To earn OCN certification, candidates receive training through the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and must pass a rigorous examination given by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

The goal of inpatient care is to ensure each patient and family feels cared for and supported throughout the patient's stay. In addition to medical care, Sutter provides valuable information and assistance to patients and their loved ones. Through direct care or referral to other Sutter Cancer Center and community resources, staff members assist each patient and family to access services and information quickly and easily. When needed, center staff can refer loved ones to nearby lodging, Sutter Visiting Nurses Association/Home Care Services (Sacramento | Roseville).

Most Sutter Cancer Center patients receive care on an outpatient basis, coming to the centers to receive therapy and returning to the comfort of their homes. Outpatient services include apheresis, infusion therapy, radiation therapy, oncology nutrition counseling , patient and family counseling and others covered in the Programs & Services and Classes & Support Groups sections.