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The
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center provides multidisciplinary
cancer care to patients and provides them with the latest
treatments, delivered with the compassionate care for
which Loyola is known. Currently, we offer patients
these unique opportunities for care:
- the
ability to participate in National Research Studies
that utilize new drug therapies
- complimentary
and supportive care, including art therapy, massage
therapy, biofeedback, pain management, nutritional
counseling, access to psychotherapists and pastoral
care
- the
opportunity to allow our center to coordinate every
aspect of care, from hospital to home care
Key
Services
Loyola's
outpatient cancer services are located at the Cardinal
Bernardin Cancer Center, which was the first free-standing
facility in Illinois to combine cancer research, diagnosis,
treatment and prevention all under one roof. Services
include diagnostic testing, a day hospital for chemotherapy
and transfusions, a high-dose therapy unit and multidisciplinary
and specialty clinics.
The
center's seven multidisciplinary clinics bring together
a wide range of board-certified medical experts who
evaluate the patient's condition and provide a comprehensive
treatment plan, often on the first visit. These clinics
include:
Breast
Care Center
Gastrointestinal
Oncology Program
Head
and Neck Oncology Clinic
Melanoma
Clinic
Neuro-oncology
Clinic
Radiosurgery Clinic
Thoracic
Oncology Center (Lung)
Additionally,
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center offers specialty clinics
for bone marrow transplant, dermatology, gynecologic
oncology, hematology, high-dose therapy, neurosurgery,
pain management, pediatric hematology, pediatric oncology,
radiation therapy, skin cancer, surgical oncology and
urology.
Inpatient
cancer care is available at Loyola's
Foster G. McGaw Hospital and the Ronald
McDonald Children's Hospital of Loyola University Medical
Center. Advanced radiation therapy facilities are
located on the Loyola campus and at the Loyola Outpatient
Center.
Loyola's
Center
for Health at Homer Glen and Primary
Care Center at Wheaton each offers visits with cancer
specialists. Chemotherapy treatment also may be administered
at these sites.
National/State
Leadership
The
center is distinguished by leadership in our outpatient
stem cell transplant program and stereotactic breast
biopsies. We are recognized internationally and nationally
for many programs.
- We
received the only Cancer Planning Grant awarded by
the National Cancer Institute in 1998
- Our
bone marrow transplantation program is one of the
largest in the nation and ranks first in the number
of transplants performed in Illinois
- Our
head and neck cancer program is one of five of its
kind in the country
- We
support one of the most experienced pancreatic surgery
programs in the United States
Pioneering
Programs and Procedures
Cancer
specialists at Loyola are constantly seeking new ways
to provide better, more effective care for their patients.
Recent clinical advancements include:
- High-dose
therapy unit a one-of-a-kind outpatient facility
for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation,
stem cell transplantation and high-dose infusion therapies.
The facility is the first in Illinois to provide such
technologically advanced care in a home-like setting.
- Radioactive
seed implants for men with early-stage prostate cancer
a therapy using tiny pellets that are implanted directly
in the middle of the tumor, where they emit low-level
radiation continuously for approximately one year.
Research
Loyola's
clinical researchers are recognized nationally for their
pioneering cancer research and treatment programs using
stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy,
biologic response modifiers, surgery and radiation therapy.
Since 1994, cancer patients have participated in more
than 200 clinical trials at Loyola, allowing them to
receive therapies that are not yet available at community
hospitals.
Basic
science research programs at Loyola include those for
cancer immunology, cancer prevention and control, hematologic
malignancy, and skin cancer. Investigators are grouped
according to their research focus to foster collaboration
and sharing of ideas. The sheer size of the Cardinal
Bernardin Cancer Center's basic research facilities:
34 laboratories, each occupying 500 square feet demonstrates
the strength of Loyola's research commitment.
Support
Groups and Services
The
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center offers a number of
supportive services for patients and families dealing
with cancer, including:
Clinical
psychology
Genetics counseling
Home
care and hospice
Clinical nutrition unit
Spiritual care
Social work services
Support
groups
Speech therapy
Special programs for children with cancer
Patient education
Community outreach
The
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center staff touches lives
in the community by helping people prevent cancer, educating
them about the disease and celebrating the successes
of cancer survivors. Community outreach programs include:
- Regular
screenings for breast, bladder and prostate cancer.
- Loyola's
CAN-HELP Cancer Information Service ((708)
CAN-HELP) staffed by experienced certified cancer
care nurses who use a computerized database to provide
cancer-related information and literature.
- Special
events, including a Survivors' Day Celebration and
Bone Marrow Transplant Picnic.
Related
Links
History
of cancer services at Loyola
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