Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Options
Swedish Hospital offers a comprehensive approach to treating a broad spectrum of cancers. Depending on the type, location and stage of cancer diagnosis, our board-certified oncologists may recommend a combination of cancer treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
For more information, please call
773-989-3803.
Tumor Boards
A tumor board is a team of multidisciplinary specialists and subspecialists who meet to go over complex patient cases. Utilizing the full spectrum of their specialties, they are able to determine the safest, most effective treatment plan for the patient, resulting in the best possible outcomes.
We offer with established tumor boards in the following cancers:
- Breast
- Thoracic (Lung)
- Gastrointestinal (Colon, Stomach)
- General (Liver, Pancreas, Skin, Kidney)
- Hematological (Blood Disorders)
- Head, Neck and Brain (Thyroid, Spine, Esophagus, Mouth, Tongue, Throat, Lingual)
- Gynecological (Uterus, Cervix)
- Bone and Blood
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy refers to the use of medication to treat or manage cancer. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other forms of treatment and is particularly utilized if the cancer has metastasized, or spread throughout the body.
Uses of Chemotherapy
- Destroys cancer cells
- Slows cancer cells from spreading
- Stops the growth or reduces the size of tumors
Benefits of Chemotherapy
- Can be used to treat cancer within the whole body
Hormonal Therapy
Swedish Hospital offers the latest hormonal treatments, which involve the manipulation of hormones and receptors to influence and control the growth of cancer.
Uses of Hormonal Therapy
- Stops the growth of cancer
- Prohibits the spread of cancer
- Assists in managing cancer symptoms
- Prevents certain types of cancer from developing or returning
Benefits of Hormonal Therapy:
- Can help prevent the return of cancer after initial treatment
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy utilizes a patient’s natural biological defenses against disease to fight cancer by teaching a patient’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Uses of Immunotherapy
- Reduces the number of cancerous cells
- Prohibits or slows cancer from spreading or growing
Benefits of Immunotherapy
- Causes less side effects than many alternative cancer treatments, comparatively
- Can be used in combination with other treatments to increase their effectiveness
- May teach your immune system to recognize the cancer in the future, possibly leading to a lower risk of that specific cancer returning (immunomemory)
Radiation Therapy
Swedish Hospital offers radiation therapy treatment for all types of cancers. An advanced linear accelerator called the Elekta infinity Linac allows specially trained radiation therapists to use a number of advanced techniques unique in Chicago.
Benefits of Radiation Therapy
- Shrinks tumors
- Destroys cancer cells through repeated treatments
- Improves quality of life by reducing or eliminating some symptoms of certain cancers
Types of Radiation Therapy at Swedish Hospital
- External beam therapy (EBT):
Involves administering energy directly into a cancerous tumor through the patient’s skin. Through careful targeting, EBT can destroy cancerous cells while sparing normal surrounding tissue.
Benefits of Radiation Therapy
- Localized treatment
- Possible side effects are contained to treatment area, with little effect to the rest of the body
- Can help relieve some cancer related symptoms, including pain and pressure
Surgery
In cases in which cancer affects a specific part of the body, surgery may be used to remove the cancerous tumor. At Swedish Hospital, we strive to provide cancer patients with the latest research-based, minimally-invasive procedures.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
Surgeons on staff are experts in minimally invasive techniques that result in shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times. These techniques include a laparoscopic approach, which uses a small camera to allow for the safe removal of tumors through a small opening instead of the traditional large incision. Patients can typically return to their daily routine more quickly, compared to traditional surgery.
Robotic Surgery
When possible, surgeons may utilize the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system to perform minimally invasive procedures. For example, a colostomy may be performed using this method to allow the surgeon to lower recovery time by operating through an extremely small incision. In addition, utilizing this technique for prostate surgery can reduce the risk of damaging the nerves that control urinary and sexual function.
Colonic Stent
The colonic stent is a device that can be used for patients with colorectal, hepatic, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers to relieve obstruction as a palliative measure or as a bridge to surgery.
Contact Us
For more information, please call
773-989-3803.
