General Practitioners

• Cryotherapy
  Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. This type of treatment is also called cryotherapy.
• Medical Weight Loss
• Primary Care
  If your primary care physician has not recommended a medical or radiation oncologist for you at Missouri Cancer Associates, we can help you select an oncologist based on your personal preferences. All of our oncology, hematology and radiation specialists are highly-trained and very experienced and will create your treatment plan unique to your specific cancer needs. We invite you to bring a caregiver (i.e. a close friend or relative) and any questions you may have to each visit to ask your oncology care team. If you forget, we will ask you what questions you might have and ensure you and your caregiver have answers and understanding before leaving the center. Because our focus is you, we take time at each visit to educate you about your progress, treatment options and next steps and of course. Your concerns are high priority for our doctors. Their prime concern is to educate you about your diagnosis, treatment options and future steps. Also, please consider bringing a family member or friend to join you for test results and follow-up.
• Colonoscopy
  Colonoscopy: A procedure to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A colonoscope is inserted through the rectum into the colon. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove polyps or tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Gynecologists

• Endometriosis
  CA 125 assay: A test that measures the level of CA 125 in the blood. CA 125 is a substance released by cells into the bloodstream. An increased CA 125 level can be a sign of cancer or another condition such as endometriosis.
• Pelvic Pain

Internists

• Urology
  Missouri Cancer Associates is partnered with Urology Associates of Central Missouri. Urology Associates of Central Missouri’s mission is to provide compassionate, quality, state-of-the-art urological care. The medical staff are experts in urology and are able to provide you with advanced treatment options.
• Ovarian Cancer
  “Dr. Tungesvik is amazing! Missouri Cancer Associates is absolutely the best place to go if you or any of your loved ones are dealing with this disease. I am so thankful to them for, truly, saving my life. After stage III ovarian cancer, I am 2+ years in remission!”
• Cervical Cancer
  The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix which may turn into cancer. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. Pap tests also can find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high.
• Colon Cancer
  “Very professional and efficient staff. They have a seamless process that makes patients feel comfortable and cared about. The speed of which we were tackling my cancer was incredible. Within two days of my first consultation, I had surgery to remove cancerous tumor and had a long term plan in place for treatment. Dr. Vellek knows his stuff and I wouldn’t want to fight this battle with anyone else. Thanks to Dr. Vellek and the amazing staff at Missouri Cancer Associates. I beat colon cancer that had metastasized in my liver.”
• Prostate Cancer
  Pylarify is indicated for men with prostate cancer that have moved to another part of the body (metastasis) who are candidates for initial definitive therapy and also for Men with suspected recurrence of prostate cancer based on elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
• Cancer Care
  Our team at Missouri Cancer Associates along with the thousand physicians of The US Oncology Network are focused on joining together to shape the future of cancer care. We believe that we can have the greatest impact by bringing the most advanced care to patients in community-based practices, near where patients live and have support systems. This includes offering breakthrough Immunotherapy treatments which are receiving FDA approval.
• Lung Cancer
  Tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage small cell lung cancer.

Psychiatrists

• Depression
• Mental Health
  Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works! The Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day. The Lifeline accepts calls from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis. To reach trained crisis counselors who can help or learn more about this valuable resource, please visit https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/988-Reimagining-Crisis-Response.
• Anxiety

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Transvaginal ultrasound exam: A procedure used to examine the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and bladder. An ultrasound transducer (probe) is inserted into the vagina and used to bounce high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. The doctor can identify tumors by looking at the sonogram.
• MRI
  MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the liver. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). To create detailed pictures of blood vessels in and near the liver, dye is injected into a vein. This procedure is called MRA (magnetic resonance angiography). Images may be taken at three different times after the dye is injected, to get the best picture of abnormal areas in the liver. This is called triple-phase MRI.
• Radiology
  Sean joined the MCA team in the fall of 2022. He has been in the health care field for the past 30 years and started his health care scholarship with the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1987. Sean has a degree in radiological sciences from the University of Missouri’s radiology program and an interest in anatomy and physiology. In his spare time, he is a referee for local high school and college soccer and basketball.
• X-Rays
• Nuclear Medicine
  Piper graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1992 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine. She spent her first 10 years working in Wichita, Kansas as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist before moving to Columbia. She continued to work as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and PET Technologist at Boone Hospital for 14 years. She joined Missouri Cancer Associates in May of 2015 as our PET Technologist. She enjoys reading and spending quality time with her friends and family. “Working at MCA has taught me that everyone has a fighting chance. We should all fight as hard and strong as our patients do, every day.
• Computed Tomography
  Imaging: Once the team ascertains the correct position, images will be taken to determine where treatment is needed. This may also include traditional X-rays or PET (positron emission tomography) and/or CT (computed tomography) scans.
• Chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy uses powerful chemicals to kill cancer cells in your body and is an effective way to treat many kinds of cancer. However, because of the therapy’s aggressive nature it is not without side effects.
• Radiation Therapy
  Missouri Cancer Associates uses a team approach for the consult, simulation, treatment planning, treatment delivery, quality assurance and follow-up care that you will receive. Members of the team include: radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists, PET techs, CT techs, dosimetrists and physicists. Often your medical oncologist, surgeon, urologist, dentist, dietitian, social worker and others will collaborate in your overall treatment approach. Once a course of treatment has been decided upon, the MCA radiation therapy team uses state-of-the-art technology to design and deliver an optimal treatment plan tailored to your specific condition.
• Radiation Oncology
  Missouri Cancer Associates is a full service medical and radiation oncology and hematology practice made up of 14 physicians in Columbia and Kirksville. Through state of the art medical technology, highly experienced physicians and quality patient care, Missouri Cancer Associates has become the Premier Cancer Treatment Center in Mid-Missouri.
• Interventional Radiology
  Diana is originally from TX but has lived in MO most of her life. She gained her love of the medical field and radiology from her dad, who was a Tech for many years before retiring. Diana enjoyed working at a preschool through college and graduated X-ray school in 2007.  Diana has enjoyed trauma scanning at the University, interventional radiology at the VA, and is thrilled to be joining the MCA family in CT!  Oncology patients have always held a special place in her heart.  Diana is married to her best friend and has three creative daughters and the sweetest three-legged rescue lab named Zoe.  She loves coffee, exploring new trails, traveling/road trips with family, and St. Louis Blues hockey.

Surgeons

• Hysterectomy
  Total hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus, including the cervix. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through the vagina, the operation is called a vaginal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a large incision (cut) in the abdomen, the operation is called a total abdominal hysterectomy. If the uterus and cervix are taken out through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen using a laparoscope, the operation is called a total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
• Laparoscopy
  Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the abdomen to check for signs of disease. Small incisions (cuts) are made in the wall of the abdomen and a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into one of the incisions. Another instrument is inserted through the same or another incision to remove the tissue samples.

Plastic Surgeons

• Breast Reconstruction
  If a patient is going to have a mastectomy, breast reconstruction (surgery to rebuild a breast’s shape after a mastectomy) may be considered. Breast reconstruction may be done at the time of the mastectomy or at some time after. The reconstructed breast may be made with the patient’s own (nonbreast) tissue or by using implants filled with saline or silicone gel. Before the decision to get an implant is made, patients can call the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiologic Health at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) or visit the FDA website for more information on breast implants.
• Plastic Surgery
  Pelvic exenteration: Surgery to remove the lower colon, rectum, and bladder. The cervix, vagina, ovaries, and nearby lymph nodes are also removed. Artificial openings (stoma) are made for urine and stool to flow from the body to a collection bag. Plastic surgery may be needed to make an artificial vagina after this operation.
• Breast Surgery
  Total mastectomy: Surgery to remove the whole breast that has cancer. This procedure is also called a simple mastectomy. Some of the lymph nodes under the arm may be removed and checked for cancer. This may be done at the same time as the breast surgery or after. This is done through a separate incision.
• Dermabrasion

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
  Although there are not currently screening guidelines for the early detection of skin cancer, many doctors recommend checking your own skin regularly, typically once a month. Regular skin self-exams are especially important for people who are at higher risk of skin cancer, such as people with reduced immunity, people who have had skin cancer before, and people with a strong family history of skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about how often you should examine your skin.
• Fungus
  Eating foods tainted with aflatoxin (poison from a fungus that can grow on foods, such as grains and nuts, that have not been stored properly).
• Lesions
• Skin Care
  With the help of live, interactive chat made possible with advanced video conference technology, a licensed beauty professional guides a small group of participants – using their own supply of skin care and makeup items or wigs and head coverings – through two different sessions...

Allergists

• Allergies