Pocono News Section

New Cancer Center Expansion at Geisinger

New Cancer Center Expansion at Geisinger - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 11:15AM EST

PLAINS TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- A Pennsylvania hospital chain has invested millions of dollars in the cancer care it offers in Luzerne County. Geisinger Health System has unveiled its 15 million dollar Henry Cancer Center expansion. The cancer center is emphasizing both treatment and research.
Gesinger's Henry Cancer Center's about doubled its chemotherapy treatment area to 24 chairs and more than tripled the exam rooms to 28.

Two internationally acclaimed cancer doctors joined the staff this year. Surgical Oncologst T. S. Ravikumar is the hospital’s director of the new Center for Surgical Innovation. He's an Abdominal and Colorectal Cancer Specialist. He wants to advance cancer care further by hosting clinical trials. "We would like to have groups of experts focusing on particular types of cancers sites and patients," he said.

Neurosurgical Oncologist Dr. Michel Lacroix is the recently appointed Director of Geisinger's Brain and Spine Tumor Institute. "We need to grow tumor banks that are going to help us not only to treat the patient that we are actually treating but understanding these tumors better," he said.

The center already uses state of the art equipment to track tumors. The "trilogy" provides digital imaging to pinpoint cancerous areas. And this linear accelerator electrically produces radiation that zeroes in on the cancer and avoids total body radiation exposure. It can help a patient heal better.

Part of the healing cancer patients undergo is emotional. Geisinger's Henry Cancer Center took that into consideration by designing a healing garden and social area. Planted flowers and a patio area will be in place next week.

It's another aspect of what Geisinger considers groundbreaking cancer care at one location. "We could provide people, locally, without having to send them anywhere else. The same kind of treatment they would get into the best places in North America and the world," added Lacroix.

One of the last parts of the Henry Cancer Center expansion -- a handicap changing area -- should be finished in a few weeks.