Yes. In most cases, you have a choice on where to receive cancer treatment and who will perform the surgery. Even if you’ve been referred to a specific surgeon or oncologist, most insurance plans allow you to choose who provides your care. Choosing a cancer center is an important decision. Some key factors to consider when making your decision include the experience of the cancer specialists, the overall cost of cancer care, the time it takes to get an initial appointment, the convenience of the facility's location, and whether they use the latest treatment options, including access to clinical trials.
Compass Oncology patients have access to comprehensive cancer care delivered by a multidisciplinary team at our four cancer centers in the Portland and Vancouver area. Our surgical team includes breast surgical oncologists, gynecologic surgical oncologists, and an HPB surgeon specializing in liver cancer and pancreatic cancer surgeries. We also work closely with other surgeons in the region.
At Compass Oncology, every patient receives a personalized treatment plan developed by our oncologists and, when appropriate, surgeons. The treatment plan may include one or more types of treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Depending on your diagnosis and the extent of cancer (stage), the treatment plan may include a combination of therapies.
Surgery and radiation therapy are considered local treatments, since they target the cancer cells in the tumor and near it. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy are systemic treatments, meaning they travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.
At Compass Oncology, patients throughout the Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA areas have access to the latest evidence-based cancer treatments without having to travel far from home.
Clinical trials play an important role in advancing cancer care and may provide access to promising therapies before they become widely available. Not every patient is eligible for a clinical trial, and participation is always voluntary. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial and would like to know if you qualify, we are happy to discuss your options with you.
Every cancer diagnosis is unique, which means every treatment plan is unique as well. Your oncologist will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan based on the type and stage of your cancer, your overall health, and your individual needs and preferences.
Depending on your diagnosis, the goal of treatment may be to:
The length of active treatment varies from person to person. Some treatments last a few weeks, while others continue for months. Your Compass Oncology team will monitor your body’s response to treatment and make any adjustments as needed.
Yes. Seeking a second opinion is a common and valuable step after being diagnosed with cancer.
A second opinion allows another cancer specialist to review your diagnosis, pathology report, imaging, and recommended treatment plan. In many cases, the second opinion confirms your initial recommendations, helping you feel more confident moving forward. In other cases, you may hear another opinion that includes a different approach.
Seeking a second opinion is also an opportunity to determine whether you’ve found the right care team for your needs. Before moving forward with treatment, it’s important that you feel comfortable with and confident in the physicians guiding your care.
Compass Oncology is here to provide second opinions throughout the Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA areas.
Staging describes the extent of cancer and whether the cancer has spread from its original position. Knowing the stage helps your care team recommend the most appropriate treatment plan and better estimate how the cancer may respond to therapy.
Most often, physicians use the TNM system for staging. This system gives three key pieces of information:
Blood cancers are staged differently because tumors are not usually present. Your oncologist will explain your stage in detail and answer any questions you have about what it means for your treatment.
Side effects vary from person to person and depend on the type of cancer you have, the treatments you receive, and how your body responds. Some common side effects include pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, mood changes, neuropathy, and anemia (low red blood cell counts). Even among those receiving the same type of cancer treatment, side effects can vary.
Throughout treatment, the Compass Oncology supportive care team will help you monitor your symptoms and recommend strategies to manage side effects. It’s important to report any new or worsening symptoms promptly so we can address them. You can also receive nutritional support to help your body stay nourished during treatment.
Every patient’s outcome is different based on a number of factors, including the type and stage of cancer and the patient's overall health condition at the time of diagnosis. For many patients, the oncologist’s goal is to cure the cancer. This is done with surgery and other therapies that ensure any remaining cancer cells are destroyed. Tests are run after the treatments are complete to determine if there is any evidence of cancer. If not, it’s considered in remission, or cured.
Even when a cure is not possible, today’s scientific advances have significantly improved the ability to slow and control the disease, manage symptoms, and maintain quality of life. Although not every survivor will experience a recurrence of cancer, there is always the possibility that it could happen. Because of this, cancer patients need to stay vigilant for the rest of their lives.
Compass Oncology is not the oncology department for a hospital system. We are an independent, community-based cancer center that brings advanced cancer treatment closer to where you live and work. Instead of traveling to a hospital setting where parking can be challenging with long walks to the oncology department, many patients choose a community-based cancer center where they can access laboratory and diagnostic imaging capabilities, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and supportive care in convenient local treatment centers such as our four locations in the Portland and Vancouver area.
We work with the hospital systems in Portland, Vancouver, and our surrounding communities to care for patients who are diagnosed, whether through an emergency room visit, a routine screening test, or after blood tests or a biopsy indicate cancer is present.
At Compass Oncology, you’ll be supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists who work together to develop and coordinate your personalized treatment plan. Each member of your care team plays an important role in helping you receive the highest quality care throughout your cancer journey.
Depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan, your care team may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, oncology nurses, registered dietitians, behavioral health specialists, financial counselors, advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), and other specialists.
Your team works together to ensure every aspect of your treatment is focused on your individual needs.
For more than 25 years, Compass Oncology has been a trusted provider of cancer care for patients across Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, and surrounding communities.
Our physicians diagnose and treat all forms of cancer and blood disorders. Many of our specialists have additional expertise in specific cancer types, allowing patients to receive highly personalized care tailored to their diagnosis.
We also offer specialized surgical expertise for breast and gynecologic cancers.
Our team works closely together to develop treatment recommendations based on the latest research, ensuring you receive comprehensive cancer care and support close to home.
Learn more about our history and dedication to top-quality cancer care close to home.
Cancer care goes beyond simply treating the disease. Compass Oncology offers a variety of supportive care services designed to help patients and their families manage the physical, emotional, and practical challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Our Supportive Cancer Care program focuses on improving quality of life throughout treatment by helping manage symptoms, reducing treatment-related side effects, and providing resources that support your overall well-being. These services may include access to:
Compass Oncology also offers a variety of patient resources, such as local support groups, caregiver resources, national cancer organization resources, cancer education classes, disease-specific resources, hospice resources, and more.
Compass Oncology makes it convenient to receive high-quality cancer care close to home. With multiple locations throughout the Portland-Vancouver area, many patients can receive their care without traveling far from home, work, or their support system.
We offer consultations, second opinions, laboratory services, imaging, clinical trials, and treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy infusions at our locations in Happy Valley, Portland, Tigard, OR, and Vancouver, WA.
Because every insurance plan is different, out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your coverage, treatment plan, medications, and other services. Our patient benefits representatives will help you review your insurance benefits, explain which services may be covered, and discuss any additional costs you may incur. We can also help identify the best financial plan to suit your unique situation.
As an independent community oncology practice, Compass Oncology is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective cancer care. In many cases, our services, including access to the latest technologies and personalized treatment plans, cost less compared to hospital-based outpatient cancer centers. According to the Community Oncology Alliance, cancer treatment in a hospital-affiliated outpatient department can be up to 50% more expensive than at an independent oncology practice.
Compass Oncology is proud to be part of The US Oncology Network (The Network), a collaboration of independent oncology practices dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care to patients close to home. Through this network, our physicians have access to shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes.
The Network is supported by McKesson Corporation, whose coordinated resources and infrastructure allow doctors in this collective to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices.
This collaboration allows Compass Oncology patients to benefit from leading-edge cancer research, evidence-based treatment recommendations, and access to clinical trials in the Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA areas, through our partnership with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI).
As a member of the US Oncology Network, Compass Oncology combines personalized, community-based care with the strength of one of the nation's largest networks of independent cancer specialists. Through this collaboration, our physicians bring shared knowledge, clinical research, and innovations in cancer treatment to our local communities. It also supports access to clinical trials and emerging therapies that may be appropriate for eligible patients.
Through a strategic alliance, we gain access to world-class management services and clinical resources, including non-medical functions like billing, patient data management, and accounting. This collaboration connects us to a vast cancer research network and advanced therapies, allowing us to offer innovative treatments to our patients.
With a network of over 1,000 physicians and 2,500 nurses, we regularly interact with many leading cancer experts to enhance patient care. Additionally, our expertise in reimbursement helps ensure you obtain the maximum coverage from your insurance plan, reducing the financial burden of treatment.