Allegiance Health

Comprehensive, Effective Treatment 

Working closely together, our team of oncology physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, case managers, pharmacists, patient navigators and pastoral care providers offer the highest level of care for our patients’ medical, emotional and spiritual needs. This results in patient recovery rates that are consistently higher than the national average.

Cancer treatment options, which can be enhanced by complementary and integrative medicine, offered at Allegiance Health include, but are not limited to:

Surgery 

Surgery is an integral component of most cancer patients’ treatment plans, and Allegiance Health surgeons are some of the nation’s most knowledgeable and experienced. Whether traditional surgery or robotic surgery is recommended, we provide state-of-the-art surgical technology.

Since 2007, Allegiance has been performing prostate surgery and gynecological procedures using the da Vinci™ Robotic Surgical System. Da Vinci robotic surgeries are minimally invasive procedures that let the surgeon view 3-D, high-definition images during surgery. By manipulating robotic arms, our surgeons attain a greater range of motion and precision than possible by a human.  

As with any minimally invasive surgery, there are many benefits to the patient:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities  

Chemotherapy 

One of the most common treatments for cancer, chemotherapy treats cancerous cells with anti-cancer drugs. It is often used in combination with radiation treatments and surgery. 

In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cells’ ability to grow or reproduce. Because different groups of drugs fight cancer cells in different ways, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is often prescribed. 

While chemotherapy is quite effective in treating certain cancers, the drugs affect all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. Often there are side effects during treatment. Our health care providers help the patient to anticipate these side effects and prepare for or, in some cases, prevent them entirely.  

The chemo department has a great staff and is well organized. They answer your questions and are on top of things. 
— Dewayne Thomas, Cancer Center Patient 

Radiation Therapy 

Operated in conjunction with the University of Michigan, the Allegiance Health Radiation Oncology – Tejada Center is one of the most technologically advanced cancer care facilities in the state. Three-dimensional tumor mapping capabilities allow staff to visually determine the shape and size of tumors and irradiate tumors more effectively, minimizing the involvement of close and adjacent organs.

Other radiation oncology treatment methods that may be employed include:

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) 

This advanced form of 3-D radiation therapy aims radiation beams from several directions and modulates the strength of the beams. It delivers a uniformly high dose of radiation to the cancer, in as small a range as the size of a nickel, and minimizes dose damage to the normal surrounding tissue.

Prostate Seed Implants (Brachytherapy) 

Under anesthesia, radioactive seeds are placed into the prostate using implant needles guided by ultrasound. The procedure is usually performed on a one-time, outpatient basis, and the seeds continue to emit low levels of radiation for several months.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

This technique utilizes precisely targeted radiation to a tumor while minimizing radiation to adjacent normal tissue. This targeting allows treatment of small and moderate sized tumors.  

Radiation at Allegiance Cancer Center has given me access to the best in care. 
— Ellen Goebel, Cancer Center Patient 

Photo Dynamic Therapy 

Allegiance Health was one of the first three hospitals in Michigan to offer this FDA approved method. It involves treating the cancerous cells with a medication that makes them sensitive to light. A laser is then used on the tumor, causing the cancer cells to die. It is particularly effective for bronchial and esophageal cancer.

Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy is frequently used to treat several types of cancers because changing the levels or activity of certain hormones can cause certain cancers to cease growing, or even undergo cell death. Specific hormones, such as steroid hormones, may be given or medication may be used to decrease hormone production or activity. Surgical removal of endocrine organs can also be employed as a form of hormonal therapy.

Cryotherapy 

Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryotherapy may be used to treat several types of cancer and some precancerous conditions.