Fifteen years ago this week, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center opened its doors and started caring for patients. Through the years, the Cancer Center has grown to serve the needs of patients—adding on to the building and doubling the size of the staff. Today, the Cancer Center sees over 350 new patients a year and averages over 40 visits per day.
The history of cancer care in Watertown started long before the Cancer Center opened its doors 15 years ago. Medical oncology services were already being provided at Prairie Lakes in the Outreach Department when discussions to add radiation oncology services started in 1997. In 1998, a study was done and it concluded that Watertown could support the addition of radiation oncology services. The board approved the project and later that year construction started on the Cancer Center.
“Community support was essential to the establishment of the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center,” said Jill Fuller, CEO. “The board of directors saw the need to offer comprehensive cancer care locally and the community rallied behind the project, contributing over $2 million.”
Through the years, the Cancer Center has had many milestones.
- In February 2002, Prairie Lakes was the first site in the state to offer Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), an advanced, new radiation therapy procedure that allows for concentration of the radiation dose to the tumor site, while sparing normal surrounding tissue from unnecessary radiation exposure.
- In July 2004, the Cancer Center started offering PET scanning. With this technology a physician can view internal images of a patient’s whole body and identify cells that grow at a very fast rate.
- In July 2007, the Cancer Center invested in a revolutionary new treatment delivery system called TomoTherapy. Prairie Lakes was one of four cancer centers in a six state region to offer TomoTherapy. Unlike traditional radiation therapy equipment, the TomoTherapy system’s treatment delivery unit doubles as an on-board CT scanner that allows images of a patient’s anatomy to be created with the same equipment that delivers the radiation prior to each treatment.
- In July 2011, the Cancer Center began participating in clinical trials.
- In 2012, Prairie Lakes was one of the first cancer centers in region to offer Provenge infusion therapy, the only FDA-approved prostate cancer immunotherapy for men with advanced prostate cancer.
- In August 2013, Prairie Lakes was the second cancer center in South Dakota to offer Xofigo (radium 223), a treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to their bones.
Today, the Cancer Center continues to evolve to incorporate advances in technology and new treatments. The Cancer Center offers an interdisciplinary approach to treating patients, recognizing that patients have a variety of needs.
“There’s no place like home, especially when you are sick,” said Dr. Jeffrey Brindle, radiation oncologist. “From the staff greeting you by your first name when you walk in the door to offering the latest treatments and technology, we strive to give our patients and their families the best care and support system right here in Watertown.”