Van Elslander Cancer Center
Due to being part of the largest, multi-hospital health care structure in Southeast Michigan, the Van Elslander Cancer Center has the resources to provide the most wholesome, multidisciplinary care possible at any given moment. The amount of engagement with the individual, however, is what makes the cancer center stand above many of the others.
Located in Gross Pointe Woods, Michigan, the Van Elslander Cancer Center is part of the St. John’s Providence Health System, which includes seven hospitals, more than two-thousand patient beds, one-hundred and twenty-five medical facilities, and over fourteen-thousand medical professionals. They are at your disposal to provide anything the patient needs.
Excellent Quality Cancer Care
As one of the four Cancer Centers in the St. John’s Providence Health System that also includes the Providence Cancer Center, the Assarian Cancer Center, and the Webber Cancer Center. Mesothelioma, the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, lung cancer, and other chest ailments, are only a few of the many conditions that are treated by Van Elslander. The cancer center is home to many experts in these particular fields.
Ayad Al-Katib, M.D., specializes in medical oncology, as well as hematology. Al-Katib was trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He works directly with Michael J. Kraut, M.D., director with the affiliated Assarian Cancer Center. Kraut is a specialist in thoracic cancer, including cancers that affect the esophagus as well as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Richard N. Berri, M.D., who spearheads the Surgical Oncology and Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program, works closely with all mesothelioma patients. Dr. Berri is an extremely strong proponent of the cytoreductive surgery (CRS).
Multidisciplinary Care
The Van Elslander Cancer Center provides the convenience of simply functioning multidisciplinary care in a single building, unlike most cancer centers across the country. All diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, outpatient surgery, chemotherapy, laboratory testing, transfusion, and mammography take place under the same roof at a very impressive speed and quality. These are only a few of the services offered at the Van Elslander Cancer Center.
Dr. Al-Katib specifies that the Van Elslander Cancer Center pays special attention to the mental battle that comes with cancer treatment and care. In his words, the importance of the patient’s soul is just as important as the patient’s physical health. They aim to make the process as pleasant as possible. There are countless amenities such as the Healing Garden, the Valade Healing Center, and a labyrinth walk. The Valade Healing Center offers activities such as music therapies, yoga, reflexology, Swedish massage, and meditation. For those interested, there are also eastern medicines, such as acupuncture Tai Chi, and Reiki. The environment is particularly soothing to the mind; the intent is for the process to be healing and enjoyable rather than stressful.
Thanks to the relaxing environment, patients can begin to set their sights on improving their health and relaxing. There is a center for psychosocial care, as well as an education center for patients. There are plenty of complementary therapies as well as alternative therapies being offered.
There are countless options more than just top-of-the-line oncology doctors, physicians, surgeons, traditional therapies, and diagnostic facilities at Van Elslander Cancer Center.
Revolutionary Technology
Much of the technology being used throughout the facility is world-class. A fantastic example is the advanced Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which harnesses the power of computer-controlled X-ray accelerators which deliver precise radiation doses to specific areas of a tumor. The super-focused radiation dose essentially “custom targets” the tumor after analyzing it, while minimizing the radiation exposure to surrounding, healthy areas. This controls and reduces the side effects which are most often seen with conventional radiotherapy.
Specialization in surgery is available for pancreatic, colorectal, esophagus, breast, prostate, lung, and gynecologic cancers. The super-qualified radiation team is heavily trained for specialized vertebroplasty, which aims to treat metastatic lesions to the spine.