The Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center provides multidisciplinary cancer care to patients and provides them with the latest treatments, delivered with the compassionate care for which Loyola is known. Currently, we offer patients these unique opportunities for care:
- The ability to participate in national research studies that utilize new drug therapies
- Complementary and supportive care, including art therapy, massage therapy, biofeedback, pain management, nutritional counseling, access to psychotherapists and pastoral care
- The opportunity to allow our center to coordinate every aspect of care, from hospital to home care
National/State Leadership
The center is distinguished by leadership in our outpatient stem cell transplant program and stereotactic breast biopsies. We are recognized internationally and nationally for many programs.
- Our bone marrow transplantation program is one of the largest in the nation and ranks first in the number of transplants performed in Illinois
- Our head and neck cancer program is one of only five of its kind in the country
- We support one of the most experienced pancreatic surgery programs in the United States
- We received the only Cancer Planning Grant awarded by the National Cancer Institute in 1998
Pioneering Programs and Procedures
Cancer specialists at Loyola constantly are seeking new ways to provide better, more effective care for their patients. Recent clinical advancements include:
- High-dose therapy unit — a one-of-a-kind outpatient facility for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation and high-dose infusion therapies. The facility is the first in Illinois to provide such technologically advanced care in a home-like setting.
- Radioactive seed implants for men with early-stage prostate cancer — a therapy using tiny pellets that are implanted directly in the middle of the tumor, where they emit low-level radiation continuously for approximately one year.
Research
Loyola's clinical researchers are recognized nationally for their pioneering cancer research and treatment programs using stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy, biologic response modifiers, surgery and radiation therapy. Since 1994, cancer patients have participated in more than 200 clinical trials at Loyola, allowing them to receive therapies that are not yet available at community hospitals.
Basic science research programs at Loyola include those for cancer immunology, cancer prevention and control, hematologic malignancy, and skin cancer. Investigators are grouped according to their research focus to foster collaboration and sharing of ideas. The sheer size of the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center's basic research facilities — 34 laboratories, each occupying 500 square feet — demonstrates the strength of Loyola's research commitment.