Information on Cancer Treatment Centers

Cancer Treatment Centers of America originated from the desires in the heart of a man whose own mother had lost her battle with cancer. His name was Richard J. Stephenson. After seeing his mother go through the treatments that were available back then, he decided it was time for change, not just incorporating the medical aspects of treatment, but incorporating a holistic approach in treating cancer patients. It was important to him that the patient be seen as a whole, and that patients receive the care they deserved; this has become known as "The Mother Standard of Care" (Cancer Treatment Centers in References below).

Locations

• Cancer Treatment Centers are located across the United States. They operate in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Arizona. They also operate an outpatient facility in Washington.

Objective

• When you arrive as a patient at Cancer Treatment Centers, you are going to be treated as a person, not a number. The doctors and caregivers there want to hear what you have to say because this will help to shape your treatment plan. You will probably meet with several different specialists, depending on the type of cancer you have. After meeting with you, the doctors will come up with a plan of care for you that will include not just medical treatments, but any alternative treatments that will help you while undergoing treatment.

Types of General Treatments

• Depending on your type and stage of cancer, you will still have the general treatment options at Cancer Treatment Centers. Surgery may be required, as well as chemotherapy or radiation. Other treatments are available, such as immunotherapy and hormone therapy. Stem cell transplants are also done here. One other option is photodynamic therapy, in which a drug name Photofrin is used, along with a laser in the treatment of esophageal cancer and lung cancer, when it is caught early enough.

Types of Alternative Treatments

• Sometimes alternative treatments can be used to ease the severity of side effects from the general treatments or even the effects of the cancer itself. A more holistic approach can lead to a well-rounded treatment plan. These alternative treatments might include meeting with a nutritionist to come up with a healthy eating plan, a plan that might help to boost your immune system and fight the cancer. In so doing, naturopathic medicine might be promoted and used. Acupuncture and other forms of treating the pain might be used; you may meet with a person to specifically help you in managing your pain. The patient's mental and spiritual status might also be discussed and treated.

Conclusion

• If you have been diagnosed with cancer, Cancer Treatment Centers are only a phone call away. They have operators who are available to answer your questions at any hour of the day. If you do decide to go with CTCA, they will help to make any arrangements that need to be made, because they just want you to feel at ease, as the patient.