Vantage Press & Media



Valley Regional Cancer Center opens doors
June 17, 2011

Source: http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=434759

Vantage Oncology, a Manhattan Beach, Calf.-based developer and operator of radiation oncology facilities, is opening Valley Regional Cancer Center in Peru. The new center leverages services and specialists from Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, St. Margaret's Hospital in Spring Valley, Illinois CancerCare, the premier medical oncology practice in Peoria and the Illinois Valley, and Valley Radiation Oncology — a longtime provider of radiation oncology in the Valley.

Valley Regional Health Services, a joint venture of IVCH and St. Margaret's Hospital, will offer PET/CT and laboratory diagnostic services. Medical oncology services will be provided by Dr. Greg Gerstner and Dr. James Knost of Illinois CancerCare of Peoria. Radiation oncology services will be spearheaded by Dr. Neelima Kabre and Dr. Thomas Zusag of Valley Radiation Oncology. The combined experience of these parties will rival larger institutions that provide similar services.

Valley Regional Health Services' onsite 16-slice PET/CT scanner is the GE Discovery ST, which incorporates some of the most advanced PET/CT imaging technology available today. This new technology assists the physicians in the staging of cancer and aids in surgical and radiation treatment planning. The PET/CT scanner has the unique ability to monitor the effectiveness of the oncologist's treatment plan, which enables them to make adjustments during the patient's course of treatment.

Valley Regional Cancer Center's medical oncology team is actively involved in research of novel therapies for the treatment and prevention of all forms of cancer. Illinois CancerCare offers FDA-approved chemotherapy protocols as well as an experienced multidisciplinary team, which includes a nurse practitioner and a certified oncology nurse. Illinois CancerCare prides itself on its coordinated patient care with primary care physicians, surgeons, specialists, home-health agencies, IV infusion companies and hospice care. Education, support groups and treatment information also are available for patients and their families.

Valley Regional Cancer Center will house a Varian Clinac linear accelerator. This technology enables the radiation oncology center to offer patients the most sophisticated forms of radiation therapy, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy.

The IMRT and IGRT are two of the most significant recent innovations in radiation therapy technology used to treat cancer. By combining daily imaging to confirm the size and location of the tumor before each treatment session, radiation oncologists are able to more precisely treat tumors throughout the body. As a result, the patient's normal healthy tissue is exposed to less radiation, thereby facilitating the preservation of healthy tissue and minimizing potential side effects and complications.

For more information about Valley Radiation Oncology or to schedule an appointment, call 815-224-5511 or visit www.ValleyRegionalCancerCenter.com.

For more information about Illinois CancerCare for medical oncology or to schedule an appointment, call 815-233-7010.

For more information about Valley Regional Health Services and its diagnostic PET/CT and Laboratory services, call 866-667-7226.

Contact:

Trace Longo
Longo Communications
Office: 949.364.2821
E-mail: trace.longo@sbcglobal.net

Vantage Oncology
Marketing Department
Office: 310-335-4000