National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is an NCI-designated, university-based, matrix cancer center conducting a broad range of multidisciplinary clinical, laboratory, and population science research. The Cancer Center integrates the expertise and resources of the Medical School (Chicago Campus) and its affiliated hospitals along with those of departments located on the University's Evanston Campus. Since it was established in 1974, the Cancer Center, a department-level entity of the Feinberg School of Medicine, has been dedicated to the process of discovery, advancing medical knowledge, and providing compassionate, state-of-the-art cancer care.

General Information

Treatment

Multidisciplinary Clinics

Stem Cell Transplant Program

The following diseases are treated using stem cell transplant:

· Leukemia, including Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)

· Lymphoma, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas, such as Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)

· Multiple Myeloma

· Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Stem cell transplant may also be considered for patients with the following conditions:

· Aplastic Anemia

· Myelofibrosis

· Some solid tumors

There are three types of transplant, based on donor source:

· Autologous - You are your own donor

· Allogeneic - Stem cells are donated by another individual. The donor may be a sibling, other family member, or an unrelated individual; related or matched unrelated.

· Syngeneic - The donor is your identical twin.

Alternative/Complementary Medicine

Northwestern Memorial Hospital offers complementary and alternative therapies through the Wellness Institute and the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Wellness Institute - 312.926.WELL (9355) or wellness@nmh.org

Offers Smoking Cessation Programs, Weight Management and Nutrition, Fitness and Exercise Programs, and Prevention Programs (Screening Guidelines and Stress Management and Coping).

Center for Integrative Medicine (CIM) - 312.926.DOCS (3627)

Offers a blend of traditional primary care medicine with integrative therapies. Board-certified internists collaborate with certified integrative practitioners to offer a holistic approach to caring for both acute and chronic medical conditions.

CIM offers the following integrated services:

· Internal Medicine

· Chiropractic Medicine

· Acupuncture

· Chinese Herbal Medicine

· Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

· Behavioral Medicine-Biofeedback

· Functional Nutrition Services

Late Effects Clinic - 312.695.4979

The Cancer Center sponsors the STAR (Survivors Taking Action and Responsibility) Program for long-term survivors of pediatric cancer. This unique multi-disciplinary clinic is staffed by an internal medicine physician, clinical psychologist, and advanced practice nurse. The entire team has a primary focus on health maintenance and surveillance and patient education. Primary care services are provided with special emphasis on cardiac, endocrine, orthopedic, and psychosocial late effects, as well as monitoring for second malignancies.

Cancer Skin Care Program - 312.695.8106

The Cancer Skin Care Program is the nation's first program to treat skin conditions resulting from anticancer drugs. The SERIES (Skin and Eye Reaction to Inhibitors of EGFR and kinaseS) Clinic focuses on the early diagnosis and treatment of dermatological and ophthalmological reactions to anticancer drugs, encouraging patients to comply with drug therapy and minimizing the need for dose decrease, interruption or discontinuation.

Cancer Prevention and Screening

Routine screening services are as follows:

Breast cancers: Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center - 312.472.0469

Prostate Cancer (including Familial Prostate Cancer Screening): 312.695.4426

All other sites: Northwestern Memorial Hospital Physician Services - 312.926.8400

In addition to routine screening services for breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer, the Cancer Center also has research-based screening and early detection programs that include:

· Northwestern Ovarian Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program (312.926.6606)-provides care and services for asymptomatic high risk women with a research focus on development of blood biomarkers for early detection

· Bluhm Family Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program-provides care and services for asymptomatic high risk women, providing specialized testing including ductal lavage, and/or referral for genetic testing and counseling

· Familial Prostate Cancer Screening (312.695.4426)-provides free screening in an effort to combat a disease that is the second leading cause of cancer death among men.

· The Cancer Skin Care Program (312.695.8106)-the first of its kind in the nation designed to treat skin reactions frequently caused by anticancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Wellness Institute - 312.926.WELL (9355)

The Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital offers Smoking Cessation Programs, Weight Management and Nutrition, Fitness and Exercise Programs, and Prevention Programs (Screening Guidelines and Stress Management and Coping), and also provides comprehensive screening guidelines.

Community screening and education programs are sponsored by the hospital on an ad hoc basis, often at reduced cost. Included are breast, prostate, gynecologic, colorectal, and skin cancer programs.

Support Services

Northwestern Memorial Hospital provides a range of support groups for cancer patients, including a general support group and specialized groups for breast and prostate. In addition, the hospital's Department of Case Management, comprised of Pastoral Care, Nurse Discharge Planning, and Social Work staff, provides a full range of counseling services for inpatients, including referral for psychiatric evaluation/intervention as needed. For outpatients, the Cancer Center provides Supportive Oncology care team comprised of a clinical psychologist, social worker, dietician, and palliative care/symptom management nurse.

A wide range of patient education programs are sponsored by the Cancer Center each year, typically focused in specific disease areas. The Cancer Center Web site, www.cancer.northwestern.edu, provides information for patients on an ongoing basis, and an extensive Health Learning Center is also available on site, providing a comprehensive range of print and video resources for cancer patients. A Health Learning Center Satellite, which is staffed by a full time patient educator, is located in the outpatient clinical cancer care facility. Additionally, the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, has selected the Cancer Center as a primary site for its Patient Navigator Program, a service that provides information, resources, referral, and support.

A multidisciplinary Supportive Oncology care team including a clinical psychologist, social worker, dietician, and symptom management nurse is available to all patients to address survivorship issues (312.695.8177).

The Cancer Center also has a Patient Advocacy Committee comprised of survivors and key staff to provide input on a wide range of programs and activities. In addition, the Cancer Center signature event is the Cancer Survivors Walk and Celebration, on the first Sunday in June. This event annually draws approximately 4,000 participants and serves as a major means of recognizing survivors and raising public awareness about cancer risk.

Supportive Care

Pain Service

Center for Pain Studies - 312.238.5654 (based at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago).

Provides inpatient and outpatient consultation for multidisciplinary pain management.

The Anesthesiology Pain Medicine Center - 877.926.4NMH (4664)

Provides interventional pain management services.

Palliative/Supportive Service

Palliative Care and Symptom Management Services - 312.926.4600

The Palliative Care and Symptom Management Services is focused on relieving pain and other distressing symptoms, with a goal of enhancing quality of life for patients and their families facing life-limiting illness. Their clinic is located in the Galter Pavilion, 21st floor.

Hospice Service

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Hospice Program - 312.926.4600

Nutrition Service

Northwestern Memorial Hospital has registered dieticians available for inpatient care and post-discharge outpatient consultation. The Clinical Cancer Center outpatient facility also has dieticians available for consultation as part of a multidisciplinary Supportive Oncology team.

Patients seen only in the ambulatory setting also have registered dietician services available as part of the psychosocial care team referenced above.

Rehabilitation Service - 800.354.REHAB (7342)

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Services are available to both inpatients and outpatients. In addition, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center is affiliated with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, a top-rated, freestanding rehabilitation hospital located on the same campus.

Cooperative Group Membership

Clinical and Research Efforts

Adult Oncology Program*

*FY08 (9/1/07-8/31/08)

• Profile Overview
• Adult Oncology
• Genetic Testing
• Pediatric Oncology
• Find Clinical Trials