Technology and Treatments
Advanced and comprehensive. Close to home.
At Ingalls Cancer Care, the best technology and treatments are always within reach. Through locations in Harvey, Tinley Park
and Flossmoor, Ingalls offers the most advanced and comprehensive technology in Chicago's south suburbs, making it easy to
receive treatment locally. In fact, Ingalls was the first hospital in the south suburbs to offer Intensity Modulated Radiation
Therapy (IMRT), which selectively radiates tumors while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. Our patients enjoy the best
technology available including IMRT, IGRT, PET/CT scanning, digital mammography, and a host of minimally invasive cancer treatment
therapies like chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation and Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT).
What's more, our doctors are constantly improving the standard of care for cancer treatment. Ingalls cancer specialists work
together with experts from across the nation, with the entire Ingalls cancer team, and with you to deliver the most comprehensive
diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitative care in the south suburbs.
When surgery is the first line of attack
Our board-certified surgeons offer surgical treatments for nearly every type of cancer. Advanced surgical techniques include
minimally invasive procedures that remove tumors while preserving as much normal function as possible. When necessary, reconstructive
surgery is also available by board-certified reconstructive surgeons. After surgery, every Ingalls cancer patient enjoys the comfort
and security of a private hospital room. And Ingalls provides a suite of cancer comfort services through a unique partnership with
Faye's Light, a local cancer comfort care provider. Weekly massages, facials and manicures are completely free to Ingalls cancer
inpatients.
Cancer treatment with fewer side effects
One myth surrounding cancer therapy is that the side effects of treatment can be worse than the disease. Today, we are reducing
the side effects of treatment by precisely targeting tumors while protecting healthy tissue. Chemotherapy is better tolerated.
Therapies are completed faster and more effectively than ever before. And because Ingalls is focused on individualized care, we
provide the resources patients need to fight, win, and move on with their lives. For your added convenience, we offer comprehensive
infusion services at the Ingalls Outpatient Infusion Centers located at the main hospital campus in Harvey, and at our Family Care
Centers in Tinley Park and Flossmoor.
Moving beyond cancer's grip
People would like to beat their cancer and pick up right where they left off. But life after cancer isn't always that simple,
so Ingalls provides support services to help cancer patients and their loved ones cope with the emotional, psychological and
social effects of cancer. Through our collaboration with the Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Ingalls provides a dedicated
resource library, screenings and education, individual and family counseling, exercise and wellness programs, stress management,
expressive arts, nutrition classes, social events, support groups, and grief support. For patients recovering from breast cancer
treatment, Ingalls has the area's only STAR-certified Cancer Rehabilitation Program, which hastens recovery, and improves comfort
and quality of life for each patient. And, Ingalls offers a variety of complementary medicine treatments such as acupuncture, yoga,
massage and more through the Ingalls Wellness Center in -Flossmoor.
And to ensure the maximum number of quality years for our cancer survivors, Ingalls offers a comprehensive survivorship program.
The program is coordinated by an advanced practice nurse/nurse navigator and offers a survivorship care plan, personal and customized
education, medical surveillance guidelines, directed navigation to health professional services, survivorship seminars and workshops
and resources.
Here are some of the additional support services available to cancer patients and survivors:
Through the Ingalls Outpatient Infusion Centers, located at our main hospital campus in Harvey, and at Ingalls Family
Care Centers in Tinley Park and Flossmoor, Ingalls offers comprehensive infusion therapies for a wide variety of patients,
including patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. All infusion treatments are given by our specially trained
infusion nurses in a comfortable setting, complete with recliner chairs, televisions, headphones and more.
Learn more by visiting our Comprehensive Infusion Services page.
The Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center in Homewood was formed in 1994, when six Southland women worked together
to open a home-like center (with location in Homewood) for people in more than 70 Chicago southland and Northwest Indiana
communities.
The Center provides services free of charge to a diverse participant base including cancer patients, caregivers,
children, teens and friends of the cancer patient. In addition to support groups, individual and family counseling sessions
and the Center's comprehensive Resource Center, wellness programs are offered on a weekly basis. Participants enjoy yoga, qi
gong, meditation, relaxation and massage therapy. On average, the Center staff responds to more than 300 calls or visits to
the Homewood location. Visit the Cancer Support Center's website at http://www.cancersupportcenter.org/.
Today's life-saving cancer treatments may cause side effects that require physical rehabilitation to help patients manage
their pain regain certain abilities and restore their quality of life. That's why Ingalls has created the area's only Breast
Cancer Rehabilitation Program.
The Ingalls program is based on well-documented research that shows exercise and other therapy interventions can help:
- Reduce fatigue and depression
- Maintain weight, muscle mass and range of motion
- Promote strength and flexibility
- Restore balance
- Eliminate pain
- Improve quality of life.
The cancer rehabilitation team at Ingalls includes highly skilled physical therapists trained and certified in lymphedema
treatment, occupational therapists, physicians, nurses and other clinical specialists who understand the unique needs of
people undergoing treatment for and recovering from cancer.
Located at the Flossmoor Family Care Center, the Ingalls Wellness Center provides
a full range of complementary medicine treatment to offer patients relief from pain, increased flexibility, an alternative
to surgery or a supplement before or after surgery. Services include , yoga, smoking cessation, hypnotherapy, acupuncture,
massage therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy.
Faye's Light is a not-for-profit organization that provides quality-of-life services to those currently undergoing
treatment for cancer. These services complement medical care and include holistic treatments and spa services, with a focus
on mind, body, and spirit...all at no cost to the recipient. Visit Faye's light website at http://www.fayeslight.org/.