Center for Cancer Therapy
(Oncology)
Click here to download a 2008 schedule of WeCan support group meetings.
Click here to download our 2007 Cancer Program
Annual Report.
La Porte Regional Health System’s Center for Cancer Therapy is a hospital-based center that includes radiation therapy, infusion services, cancer research, and a cancer registry. The Center for Cancer Therapy has a separate entrance with dedicated parking allowing easy access for patients. The radiation facility provides external and electron beam therapy utilizing a Siemens linear accelerator. Enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients continues to be our priority.
The Center for Cancer Therapy now offers intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This state-of-the-art technology uses 3-D computer generated images to precisely shape the beam to the tumor and control (modulate) the intensity of the radiation beam. IMRT enables the physician to deliver higher doses of radiation while minimizing the dose to surrounding healthy tissue and critical structures. IMRT not only allows the use of varying the radiation dose within the treatment site but it allows for delivering extra dose where a tumor is most metabolically active. As a result, patients experience fewer side effects which can significantly increase their quality of life.
In addition to IMRT, prostate brachytherapy (commonly called seed therapy) is also offered.
The Center for Cancer Therapy medical staff includes a board certified radiation oncologist (MD), medical physicist (PhD), medical dosimetrist, and ARRT certified radiation therapist. Registered nurses have extensive experience in radiation oncology, cancer investigation and tumor registry. The Center for Cancer Therapy utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to care which includes: social workers, case managers, dietitians, and a chaplain. In addition, a complementary cancer care program is offered to all Center for Cancer Therapy patients.
In an effort to improve cancer care in our community, La Porte Regional Health System has joined Elkhart General Hospital, Memorial Hospital of South Bend, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Howard Regional Health System and Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan to form the Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium (NICRC). The goal of the NICRC is to provide state-of-the-art cancer prevention and treatment clinical trials, outreach to the under served population, access to new drugs, resources for information, and patient advocacy (www.nicrc.org). This consortium receives partial funding from a grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Our affiliation with NCI further identifies options for our patients to be involved in clinical trials across the country (www.cancer.org). Over 100 clinical trials are available at La Porte Regional Health System alone.
In addition, we are one of only a few hospitals in the state of Indiana that participates in the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP). CCOP allows us to have access to the very latest cancer treatments. Find out more about this and other cancer-related topics at www.cancer.gov.
The Center for Cancer Therapy is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).
Infusion Center
Located on the first floor of La Porte Hospital in the Center for Cancer Therapy, the Infusion Center offers flexible scheduling with point-of-care registration Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.
The Infusion Center provides IV infusion therapies including: antibiotics, blood products, chemotherapies, intravenous fluids, immunotherapies, and injections to ambulatory outpatients. Amenities include: recliners, television access, meals and close nursing supervision.
The Infusion Center nurses are Oncology Nursing Society chemotherapy providers with extensive oncology and medical management knowledge. Every oncology nurse in our Infusion Center has at least ten years experience to provide the best care for the patients.
Support Groups
Support groups “WeCAN” and “Breast Cancer Support Group - For the Newly Diagnosed Patient,” are available monthly to provide support and a forum to answer the many questions associated with a diagnosis of cancer for patients and their loved ones.
The best defense against cancer is being informed and having a support network that can help you through the difficult times. Support groups help improve a patient’s, and their loved one’s, ability to deal with the uncertainties and challenges faced with the cancer experience. Topics include:
· How a family system copes with the diagnosis
· How children should be told about the disease process
· The role extended family and friends can play in the treatment process
The groups promote education by arranging for various speakers to present educational topics related to cancer support and treatment.
Our cancer support groups are affiliated with the Mishawaka chapter of the American Cancer Society. They are led by an oncology-certified, licensed clinical social worker. The “WeCAN” group also draws from a spiritual perspective and is co-facilitated by the hospital chaplain.
For more information about The Center for Cancer Therapy, call (219) 326-2683.