Cancer is personal, so is the way we care for you
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. With Ascension Illinois Cancer Care in Chicagoland, you’re not alone. Upon your diagnosis, you’ll meet with your multidisciplinary cancer care team including a care navigator. We’ll help you personalize a care plan just for you with a goal of getting you back to home, family and your daily life.
At Ascension Illinois, in Chicagoland, your doctors, nurses and specialty care team are part of a national team of experienced cancer doctors, sharing best practices and the latest in cancer care knowledge and research – bringing the best of oncology to you, close to home.
When you’re going through cancer care, we’re by your side
Every appointment with our experienced and compassionate oncology specialists starts with a conversation. You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor, and you’ll have an entire care team, dedicated to your care – connecting the dots for you. Your doctor will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small. By getting to know you and working together, you get a care plan that is customized to your needs. And with a plan, comes hope. Our goal is to help you recover faster so you can get back to home, family, life and self.
Your cancer care team is beside you from diagnosis through recovery. As your care needs change, we are ready to support you. Your care team may include specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology and cancer pathology. Together with our oncology-certified nurses, dietitians, rehabilitation therapists, lymphedema therapists, palliative care specialists, social workers, and cancer care navigator, we work with you to deliver a care plan that's right for you. We also offer genetic screening, testing and counseling, palliative care and Ascension at Home services.
Stay connected with your personal cancer care navigator
Along the way, your care may require imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support or other specialists — you do not need to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis, or when you come to us during your cancer care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator. Your care navigator will help you schedule appointments, connect with other services you need, and answer your questions. No question is too small — when you have a concern or feel unsure, don’t hesitate to talk with your care team and ask your questions.
Ask about virtual care (e.g, telehealth or online) appointments for your first consultation and as part of your ongoing care. You can have these virtual visits from the comfort of your home. You'll be able to talk with your doctor one-on-one via video from your phone or computer.
Multidisciplinary oncology care team
From diagnostic testing to advanced cancer treatments, surgical care, rehabilitation and clinical trials, all the care you need is close to home for many types of cancer. An Ascension Illinois oncology nurse navigator will guide you through each step so that you can focus on what matters – getting better.
Lung cancer
Ascension Illinois Cancer Care delivers comprehensive lung care. Surgeons and pulmonary medicine doctors deliver advanced lung cancer treatment, targeted medication therapy, immunotherapy, minimally invasive surgery and advanced radiation treatment and rehabilitation for chest cancers: lung tumors, non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mesotheliomas, thymomas and benign lung nodules.
Breast cancer
You can have breast cancer and still be you. At Ascension Illinois, you get an experienced team of breast cancer specialists and surgeons who start by getting to know you as a person and work with you on a personalized care plan. Targeted therapies such as immunotherapy and precision radiation help stop cancer cells and tumors from growing. Your multidisciplinary care team can also use nipple-sparing mastectomy and hidden-scar surgery techniques to conserve your breast tissue and minimize scarring. Breast reconstruction surgery is now covered by most insurance plans that cover mastectomy.
Colorectal and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer
When you choose Ascension Illinois, your GI specialists and surgeons will diagnose and treat cancers of the colon and gastrointestinal tract, including hepatobiliary cancers and tumors affecting the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and bile ducts. From cancer screening and biopsy through a care plan that may include immunotherapy, precision radiation and other therapies, your cancer nurse navigator will be there by your side through recovery.
Head and neck cancer
Whether you have a tumor in your head, neck, mouth, thyroid gland or skull, your Ascension Illinois cancer specialists and surgeons deliver a personalized treatment plan that may include advanced surgical and precision radiation techniques such as Gamma Knife® radiostatic surgery, as well as immunotherapy. Prompt screening and biopsy helps ensure diagnosis at the earliest possible stage.
Brain and spine cancer
Being diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumor can be overwhelming. With Ascension Illinois, you are not alone. Our experienced neurosurgeons specialize in treating brain cancer and spine cancer using advanced surgical techniques to help preserve healthy tissue. And you’ll have an entire oncology care team beside you, delivering comprehensive medication, immunotherapy, precision radiation and anti-seizure therapies, and support services.
Blood cancer
From diagnosis through recovery — Ascension Illinois medical oncologists and immunotherapy specialists provide comprehensive care for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and other blood disorders.
Gynecological cancer
Your women’s health care team takes a compassionate and comprehensive approach to treating gynecological cancers such as uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer or ovarian cancer. Gynecologic oncology surgeons at Ascension Illinois offer minimally invasive treatment options for removing tumors. Your care plan may also include immunotherapy, precision radiation therapy and support services personalized for women.
Prostate and other urologic cancers
From PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood-test screenings, biopsy and diagnosing prostate cancer through treatment and recovery — our doctors and surgeons are here to provide the care that's right for you. Our prostate cancer specialists target tumors and protect healthy surrounding tissue with precision radiation therapy, immunotherapy and SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel. Urology and kidney health cancer specialists at Ascension Illinois also provide advanced care for urologic cancers – bladder, kidney, and urethral cancer.
Skin cancer
From skin screenings to help detect precancerous skin cells to advanced care for skin cancer and tumors (basal cell, squamous and melanoma), our dermatology specialists, surgeons and immunologists provide both routine treatment options and advanced surgical care, including Mohs surgery.
Esophageal cancer
Does it hurt to swallow? This could be an early symptom of a malignant tumor in your esophagus, the tube that moves food from your throat to your stomach. Ascension Illinois esophageal cancer specialists and surgeons can diagnose you at the earliest possible stage with a screening or biopsy. Then, we create a care plan that uses some of the latest esophageal cancer treatments, including immunotherapy and precision radiation.
Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Illinois. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized care plan.
When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our cancer specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Benefits of our cancer care approach
When you come to cancer centers and clinics at Ascension Illinois, cancer nurse navigators, oncologists and multidisciplinary care teams deliver comprehensive, innovative and personalized oncology care for the whole you, including your emotional health:
- Convenient cancer screenings and biopsy procedures near you — Diagnosing cancer at an early stage, when it’s easiest to treat, can positively impact survival rate and quality of life. That’s why Ascension Illinois strives to provide preventive screenings close to home that fit your schedule.
- Compassionate medical oncology — Your cancer specialists and care teams work together to deliver customized medication therapies (chemotherapy and other medications) to help target cancer cells that grow and divide quickly.
- Multidisciplinary care teams are dedicated to your care — In addition to cancer specialists, our care team includes a cancer nurse navigator. We help manage your appointments, connect you with resources and answer questions so that you can focus on healing. And your specialists are part of a national team, sharing best practices to help find the best possible way to treat your type of cancer – from simple to complex and rare cancers.
- Experienced surgical oncologists and care teams — Ascension Illinois cancer surgeons use advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive robotic surgery, to remove as much cancer as possible while saving healthy tissue.
- Immunotherapy — By clearing away the surface proteins that hide cancer cells from your immune system, immunotherapy helps your body identify and attack those cells, just as it would a cold or a virus. This has been one of the most exciting recent developments in cancer treatment.
- Precision radiation therapy — We deliver high-tech radiation therapy and targeted treatment options for many types of cancer, delivered by highly trained radiation oncology specialists.
- Clinical trials — If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
- Genetic cancer screening, testing and counseling — Genetic tests can help you and your doctor better understand your risk for certain types of cancer. Ask your doctor about genetic testing and counseling to better understand your risk for developing cancer. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, your doctor may recommend genetic pathology tests to help identify genetic changes in cancer cells and tumor growth.
- Support programs and resources — Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education, counseling, support groups and yoga to spiritual care and cancer rehabilitation therapy. And, at Ascension Illinois sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and your loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. Call 844-952-HOPE (4673) to learn more.
