Overview of Services
Medical Oncology
Radiation Oncology

Lutheran General leads all other health care facilities in the state of Illinois in the number of patients diagnosed with cancer. In 1995, Lutheran General opened the most comprehensive Cancer Care Center in the northwest suburban corridor. The center, which brought all of Lutheran General's cancer services together in a convenient, central location, provides a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment, and encompasses state-of-the-art oncology, hematology, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and gynecology/oncology.

The Cancer Care Center has expertise in the full range of cancer treatment approaches and is committed to constantly exploring newer, more effective options.

At the same time, we've designed a caring environment geared to the comfort and convenience of the patient. Our primary nurse model enables patients to see the same nurse throughout the course of treatment - providing both medical continuity and stronger emotional support.

Unlike many cancer centers, our physicians have great expertise in treating not only the common forms of cancer such as breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, renal cell and gynecological cancer, but also rare and unusual cancers, such as melanoma, sarcoma and multiple myeloma.

The medical staff at the Cancer Care Center includes 17 medical, gynecology and radiation oncologists. These cancer subspecialists have earned wide reputations for excellence in clinical care, teaching and research.

We're helping to lead the way in new and better treatment for all forms of cancer. For more information on our research efforts, see Clinical Research Studies.

The Lutheran General Cancer Care Center offers biologic therapy, an innovative treatment method that utilizes the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Allogenic bone marrow and autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation also is provided.

Our patients benefit from a team approach which includes medical specialists, therapists, nurses, technologists, chaplains, the patient's primary physician and others - all working together to achieve total care. For example, our multidisciplinary outpatient clinics make it possible for patients to confer with a series of oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, plastic surgeons and other specialists all during the course of a single day. These clinics include:

Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Tumor Clinic: A specialized clinic that offers comprehensive evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors of the head and neck region. Optimal treatment of these tumors requires input from a wide variety of medical specialties - all available at this clinic - including Otolaryngology, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Dentistry, Physical Therapy and Nutrition. Each patient is assessed with a team approach to the management of their specific malignancy and appropriate recommendations are then promptly given to the patient and the referring physician. For more information, contact Frances Boruch, R.N. (<Frances.Boruch@advocatehealth.com>)

Pigmented Lesion Clinic: A specialized clinic that provides screening and serves as a referral center for patients with melanoma and/or pigmented lesions. Patients may be referred to the clinic for second opinions regarding diagnosis and treatment of newly diagnosed melanoma, for photographic follow-up of skin lesions such as Dysplastic Nevi (many irregularly shaped moles), or for skin examination and/or biopsy of a suspicious skin lesion. Physicians on staff include Jon Richards, M.D., P h.D., a medical oncologist specializing in the care of persons with melanoma, and Rolley Ackerman, M.D., a board certified dermatologist. A physician referral is recommended but not required to schedule an appointment. For more information, contact Laurel Barbour, A.P.N. (<Laurel.Barbour@advocatehealth.com>).

For more information on Lutheran General Hospital's Cancer Care Center, call 847-723-2500. For a physician referral, call 1.800.3.ADVOCATE.

Cancer Care Center
Lutheran General Hospital