Lifecare Cancer Center
Cancer Treatment Close to Home
Combining Modern Technology and Personal Care
The Life Care Cancer Center represents a unique cooperative effort to bring modern radiation therapy technology to patients with cancer in northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio.
The Center is also committed to the prevention and early detection of cancer. If diagnosed at an early stage, more than 80% of common cancers (except lung cancer) can be cured.
The Center was jointly developed by UPMC Horizon, Grove City Medical Center, and Oncology Services International, Inc. (State College, PA). Only recently, it underwent extensive renovation.
Radiation Treatment
Patient Care
Transportation
Payment
Radiation Treatment
State-of-the-art technology at Life Care Cancer Center includes:
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Dedicated Simulator
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2-D and 3-D Computer Planning System
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Microdosimetry (dose) Measuring System
- Elektra Linear Accelerator
- High Dose Rate (HDR) Radioactive Implant System
Before treatment begins, the simulator is used to x-ray the planned treatment area. This includes the tumor and the surrounding areas where the tumor may have spread. Simulation films are used to target the delivery of high doses of radiation to the tumor with minimal dose to the surrounding normal tissues. The Life Care Cancer Center utilizes both two and three dimensional computer systems to view the entire tumor in the body. These treatment planning systems permit the doctors to concentrate the radiation dose to the tumor and reduce the dose to the surrounding normal tissue. To further protect the normal tissues surrounding the tumor, lead shields are constructed. They are customized to each patient and are made on-site. By using shields, the physician can shape the radiation beam to conform to the tumor and its spread pattern. The shield allows a higher dose to be delivered to the tumor and a lower dose to the normal tissue. This means a higher rate of tumor control and a lower rate of side effects.
After the treatment is planned and the lead shield is made, radiation therapy begins with the Elektra accelerator. It produces high energy x-rays and electrons which are delivered to the tumor. Over the last several decades, increased energy of the beam from the kilovoltage range to the megavoltage range, computer planning systems, and lead shields customized to the patients have significantly improved tumor control and patient survival, and at the same time reduced side effects from radiation.
Radiation therapy is a curative form of treatment. It can also be used to relief symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and other complications from cancer. In selected cases, it is used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. This joint approach significantly improves tumor cure rates and patient survival.
HDR
HDR stands for High Dose Rate radiation delivered by a high-technology computerized robot that places radioactive isotope seeds directly into malignant tumors.
Thin tubes, called catheters, are inserted into the cancer site by physicians. The catheter is then connected to the HDR robot. Then a highly active radioactive seed is loaded into the tubes, left in place for the prescribed treatment period and retracted. This "after-loading" is controlled remotely by sophisticated computerized equipment.
The procedure is often part of a treatment plan that may include surgery, chemotherapy, or the more familiar external beam radiation. HDR is effective in treating cancer of the lung, esophagus, prostate, uterus and cervix, among others. HDR therapy can destroy tumors, arrest, or control their growth.
HDR treatment is delivered only at selected radiation oncology centers. The Life Care Cancer Center is the only radiation oncology department in northwestern Pennsylvania between Pittsburgh and Erie to provide this service. The procedure is a close team approach involving physicians, the staff of the ambulatory surgery departments at the hospitals and the Life Care Cancer Center.
Patient Care
Treatment options for individual patients are discussed by a multi-specialty team of physicians at tumor conferences held regularly at each of the three facilities. The patient's family physician and surgeon are included in these conferences.
On the average, patients are treated daily, Monday through Friday. The number of treatments varies with each patient and their type of cancer.
The highly skilled, dedicated staff at the Center includes a full-time, board certified radiation oncologist, medical physicist, radiation therapists, registered nurse and office coordinator.
Staff members are sensitive to the needs and concerns of each patient. They provide nutritional, psychological, and emotional support to patients and their families and are available on a daily basis for questions and concerns.
As a regional facility, Life Care Cancer Center is able to coordinate services and programs provided by the community-based support agencies like the American Cancer Society and the hospitals in Mercer County and surrounding areas.
Transportation
The Center provides free transportation for ambulatory patients from and to their homes.
We offer:
- Routes convenient for you
- Clean, comfortable, air conditioned van
- Courteous, helpful driver
- Relief of stress for patients and their families
Those in the hospital are provided with ambulance service.
Payment
The Center accepts all types of insurance, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and other independent companies. The Center also accepts Medicare assignments on all Medicare patients. Payment plans can be arranged for those who are not insured.