FAQ: CDH Proton Center, A Procure Center

What is the CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center?

The CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center is the second in ProCure's network of proton therapy centers that will provide this advanced radiation therapy to patients. The center's number one priority is to provide exceptional patient care. The center will feature state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. It will provide treatment five-days a week and will treat up to 1,500 patients a year. It is scheduled to open and start treating patients in early 2011.

If I am a patient with cancer who is seeking proton therapy prior to the opening of the CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center, what other therapy centers can I contact to receive treatment?

There are currently seven proton therapy centers in the United States. One of these is the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City, which started treating patients in the summer of 2009. The ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City is the first in ProCure's network of proton therapy centers to provide this advanced radiation therapy to patients. It has the same state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that will be implemented at the CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are considering proton therapy as a treatment option, you are welcome to contact our center in Oklahoma City at (888) 847-2640 or submit an online form to request a consultation with a radiation oncologist at the Center.

Who is Radiation Oncology Consultants?

The radiation oncologists of Radiation Oncology Consultants (ROC) provide clinical care at the CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center. ROC has exclusive privileges to treat patients at the center and is the first physician group in Illinois that is able to treat patients with proton therapy. Affiliated with hospitals throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the radiation oncologists of ROC are leaders in the field and are known for clinical excellence as well as for pioneering new technologies for treating cancer. They are experienced in the delivery of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Gamma Knife radiosurgery (stereotactic radiosurgery), breast brachytherapy (Mammosite), Tomotherapy, high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) and low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy. With specializations in brain, head and neck, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, prostate and pediatric cancers, ROC has the expertise to provide the highest level of medical care to patients.

Who is Central DuPage Hospital?

Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) is a nationally recognized, 313-bed facility located in Winfield, IL, a suburb west of Chicago. CDH is a leading center for surgical innovations and was one of the first institutions in the nation to offer robotic-assisted surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery with bio-engineered bone protein and was the first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in DuPage County. Central DuPage Hospital also has a history of bringing advanced technology to benefit the community, including robotic surgery, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and now proton therapy.

Recently, CDH was recognized for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report on the list of Best Hospitals in the orthopaedics category. Thomson Reuter's has listed CDH as a Top 100 Hospital in the U.S. for the last three years.

How does a physician refer a patient?

Before the opening of the center in Illinois, a physician can refer a patient to the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City for treatment by contacting the center at (866) 204-9862 or submit a referral online.

How does a patient request a consultation?

Before the opening of the center in Illinois, a patient who is considering proton therapy as a treatment option can request a consultation at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City. Please contact the center directly at (888) 847-2640 or submit a request online. Our team will assist you in collecting all the necessary documents and information to start the process.

Will the referring physicians be kept informed of the treatment progress?

Referring physicians will be kept informed and involved in the patient's care. The ProCure medical team will remain available to patients' physicians after patients return to their care.

Will comprehensive cancer care (chemotherapy, imaging services, blood tests, etc.) be available at the center?

The CDH Proton Center, a ProCure Center only provides proton therapy and follow-up care related to proton therapy. However, ProCure is committed to ensuring patients have a seamless cancer care experience. Patients who need additional medical care while receiving proton therapy can receive comprehensive cancer care at CDH's comprehensive outpatient cancer treatment and imaging center. Services provided at the CDH center will include physician services, on-site oncology pharmacists, chemotherapy, radiation therapy as well as all the necessary support services including diagnostic imaging, nutritional counseling, social work services, genetic counseling, and image-renewal services.

Who is part of the patient Care Team?

The patient care team will be comprised of a nurse, several radiation therapists and is led by one of the radiation oncologists from Radiation Oncology Consultants. Care teams are consistent throughout treatment - the therapists and medical professionals treat the same patient for their full duration of their course of therapy.

Will a patient be able to continue with his/her chemotherapy or other cancer treatments while receiving proton therapy?

It is often possible to continue other therapy while having proton therapy since there are very few side effects from the proton therapy itself. Proton therapy has been used in combination with chemotherapy, surgery and standard (X-ray) radiation treatment. Discuss combination therapy with a board certified radiation oncologist to determine if it is the best treatment option.

Will a patient need to see a new medical oncologist once treatment at the center has begun?

If a patient already has a local medical oncologist, the physician will be able to continue to manage the patient's non-proton related care. If a patient is seeking a medical oncologist in the area, the center can provide a list of medical oncologists at CDH's comprehensive outpatient cancer treatment and imaging center.

What should a patient do if his/her medical oncologist doesn't think proton therapy is appropriate for the patient's case but the patient still would like to have a consultation with a radiation oncologist at the Center?

Before the opening of the Illinois center, the patient who is considering proton therapy as treatment option may contact the ProCure Proton Therapy Center in Oklahoma City to request a consultation. Please contact the center directly at (866) 204-9862 or submit a request online. Our team will assist the patient in collecting the documents and information necessary to start the process.

What additional patient services are available at the Center?

There will be 24/7 support from nurses to address non-urgent medical needs for patients. Concierge services will also be available to assist patients with their personal needs during treatment, such as lodging and transportation arrangements.

If a patient is from out of town, does the Center help arrange lodging and transportation?

Yes. Once the center in Illinois is open, a concierge will be available to help find lodging and coordinate transportation needs and can assist patients with a variety of services outside the treatment room.