Morris Hospital - Cancer Care

Cancer Care

It starts with hope. Combine that with the comfort of having an experienced cancer team close to home, and you will find a strength that makes each day brighter.

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be life changing. The staff at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital is here to guide patients through cancer treatment using the very latest technology. Their warmth and understanding puts patients at ease from the very first visit. They are committed to providing support and care for each patient and their family members. Please click here to read the latest edition of our patient newsletter.

ADVANCED TREATMENT

Radiation therapy involves the use of x-rays or energy particles to destroy cancer cells or damage their ability to reproduce. It is often provided as part of an individual's integrated cancer treatment or as the primary source of treatment.

At the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital, radiation therapy is delivered to the tumor using the Siemens PRIMUS linear accelerator. This complex and sophisticated computerized equipment has the ability to produce radiation of different energies to properly treat different types of cancer, using both traditional and advanced methods of treatment.

Depending on the location and stage of the tumor, some of the other methods of treatment that may be recommended at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital include:

3-D Conformal Radiotherapy (3-D CRT) is the standard method of radiation therapy and uses digital diagnostic imaging, computers and special software to conform the radiation beam to the shape of the tumor.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is the latest advance in 3-D CRT that is used to deliver complex doses of radiation to tumors located near vital organs and other areas that are sensitive to radiation. Some of the advantages of IMRT are decreased radiation to normal sensitive surrounding tissue, decreased chances of harming normal cells, higher radiation dosage to cancer cells, precise radiation distribution, and increased chances of destroying cancer cells. All of this results in fewer side effects for patients.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is one of the latest advances at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital. This technology uses the existing treatment beam to provide 3D target imaging.

High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy delivers a radioactive source directly to the tumor site. This increases the likelihood of destroying the tumor by allowing a higher than normal dose of radiation while reducing the risk of damage to healthy tissue.

The Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital is accredited by The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. This means Morris Hospital has voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and review of performance. For patients, receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures access to comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options; access to cancer-related information, education, and support; a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up; and ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.

Follow this link to learn more about the benefits of receiving care from a Commision on Cancer Accredited Program and to view Morris Hospital's performance rates for breast cancer and colon/rectal cancer.

The staff at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital is dedicated to each patient's total health and well-being, in addition to being responsive to each patient's unique needs. They continually research new techniques and stay abreast of the ever changing technology in the field of radiation therapy. The treatment team includes:

Board certified radiation oncologists who establish the patient's treatment plan and oversee the healthcare management of each patient's treatments.

A medical physicist/dosimetry team that assists the radiation oncologist in the treatment planning stages by providing accurate calculations of radiation doses and establishes the optimal treatment plan for each specific patient. The physicist is also responsible for radiation protection and quality assurance.

The radiation therapists work directly with patients to deliver daily radiation treatment as planned by the radiation oncologist and physics team. They are licensed by ARRT and IEMA and compassionately work with patients and their families to provide the utmost quality of care.

The oncology certified registered nurses work closely with patients and family members to discuss concerns about treatments and possible side effects. With advanced training in pain management and holistic patient treatment, the nurses at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital are specially qualified to provide excellent patient care.

The ARRT and IEMA licensed CT technologist works alongside the radiation oncologist and radiation therapists during the treatment planning phases. The CT technologist helps incorporate scanning technology and anatomy representation into a patient's treatment planning in order to ensure the patient receives the very best treatment plan.

The patient service representative warmly greets each patient and family member and is specially trained to answer questions regarding billing and insurance. The patient service representative is also available to help connect patients with other resources they may need.

Since most patients requiring radiation therapy undergo daily treatments over a period of weeks, location is often an important consideration when choosing a radiation therapy center. The Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital is conveniently located within the Morris Regional Oncology Center at 1600 U.S. Route 6 in Morris. Medical oncologists with Joliet Oncology and Hematology Associates are also available in this facility, enabling patients requiring chemotherapy and radiation therapy to complete their treatment in one location. To reach us by phone, please call 815.364.8915.

The staff at the Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital is committed to assisting patients with every aspect of care throughout their treatment. Some of the special services offered to patients include:

"I Can Cope" Support Group

Patients, family and friends are invited to get answers to questions and share their concerns and experiences with others in a supportive atmosphere. Dates and times of meetings are listed on our website.

Outpatient Diagnostic Center
Patients who require blood tests or x-rays can schedule with the front desk staff to receive diagnostic services at the time of their treatment.

Counseling
Social workers from Morris Hospital are available to assist patients and their families with emotional support and resources.

Nutritional Services
A dietitian meets with patients during their treatment time to provide special diet information and dietary supplements if needed.

Financial Counselor
A financial counselor from Morris Hospital can help with questions regarding insurance coverage, financial assistance or other financial arrangements. To reach a financial counselor, call 815.942.2932, ext. 7282.

Educational Programs

"Feeling Beautiful after Mastectomy" is a special program designed to help patients address the emotional and physical changes that sometimes develop after undergoing breast surgery. To learn more, please ask for our Feeling Beautiful after Mastectomy brochure, or give us a call at 815-364-8915 .
"Look Good Feel Better" is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients who are actively undergoing treatment. The program is designed to help combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Please register at the reception desk or call 815-364-8915.
Wigs are provided free to all patients. Please make arrangements for a fitting at the front desk, or call 815.364.8915.

Transportation Services

Free transportation to and from treatments is available through Morris Hospital's free patient transportation service. The staff at the Radiation Therapy Center is more than happy to arrange this service.

To learn more, please call us at 815.364.8915.