Follow-up Care
After treatment for thymic cancer, there is a risk for recurrence years later, so continued follow-up is important. You’ll probably need to return once or twice a year so that any recurrence can be promptly treated.We offer a range of programs to help you care for yourself after your treatment ends, including:
Physical and occupational therapy
Our physical and occupational therapists can help you restore function, increase mobility, and improve quality of life following surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.Our physical therapists are available to evaluate you and generate an individualized treatment and exercise plan to help you maximize strength, coordination, balance and other functions.
Survivorship program
Our survivorship program can provide education and support for you and your family after mesothelioma treatment.Mental health support: Psychosocial oncology
Having a rare disease such as thymic cancer can make you feel alone. You’re not. Our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and chaplains can help you find healthy ways to cope and can treat anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses or symptoms related to your cancer and treatment. We can also link you and your family with support groups and other resources in the community. Find out more.Cancer Patient Support Center
On the third floor of our west wing, our patient support center is an 8,000 square-foot pavilion dedicated to your healing, wellness, education and recovery. You can take a healthy cooking class, practice mindfulness meditation, enjoy some art or music therapy, use our computer lab, or relax with others in our central gathering room. You may connect with others who are facing similar challenges. Find out more.Integrative medicine
Our integrative medicine program offers acupuncture, acupressure, massage and other therapies and services to help you achieve balance of body and mind.Survivorship Program
With an emphasis on healing, recovery, wellness and disease prevention, Miami Cancer Institute’s Survivorship Program team is right there with you as you move into the next phase of your life.
Ringing of the bell
A bright silver bell hangs in the lobby of Miami Cancer Institute. The ringing of the bell signals the end of active treatment. This tradition was started by rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, Irve Le Moyne, who was undergoing radiation for head and neck cancer. He planned to follow a Navy tradition of ringing a bell to signify “when the job was done.” Now nearly all facilities have a similar bell that patients can ring to mark the end of treatment.
Support groups can:
- Help you feel better, more hopeful, and not so alone
- Give you a chance to talk about your feelings and work through them
- Help you deal with practical problems, such as problems at work or school
- Help you cope with side effects of treatment