Cancer Treatment Centers of America Backgrounder
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Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) owes its existence to one woman, Mary Brown Stephenson, and her son Richard J Stephenson.
When Mrs. Stephenson battled to overcome her cancer in the 1970s, Mr. Stephenson expected she would receive the most advanced treatment available. However, like many loved ones of cancer patients, he was disappointed when he found there was no “gold standard” for cancer care. Richard turned his frustration into action. He felt that no one should have to endure the insensitive experience that preceded his mother’s death.
In 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America originated. Today, the network of treatment facilities includes hospitals in Zion, Illinois, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a comprehensive care program in Seattle, Washington. In early 2009, a new CTCA hospital will open in Goodyear, Arizona.
Richard J Stephenson’s commitment to the Mother Standard® became what is now the guiding principle at every CTCA hospital. The Mother Standard® is a warm, nurturing approach carried out by all of CTCA. It involves caring for patients as we would want care for our own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and other loved ones.
To provide the Mother Standard® of care, CTCA offers exclusive technologies and treatment protocols like TomoTherapy® Highly Integrated Adaptive Radiotherapy (HI-ART) to pinpoint and more safely treat cancer; fractionated dose chemotherapy to minimize the side effects of conventional chemotherapy; chemoembolization; and High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy.
Alongside these conventional cancer treatments, we offer nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation, pain management, and spiritual support. It truly is an integrative, patient-centered approach.
At CTCA, experienced cancer physicians and other clinicians work side-by-side "under one roof." Together, the CTCA care team treats not just cancer, but the whole person, in a compassionate, respectful and hopeful way.
Treatment options include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Mind-Body Medicine
- Radiation Therapy
- Nutrition Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Surgical Oncology
- Acupuncture
- Spiritual Support
Furthermore, patients and caregivers at CTCA are put at the center of their own care through the CTCA Patient Empowerment MedicineSM (PEM) model of care. Using PEM, patients voice opinions and preferences to CTCA medical professionals—and are heard. Patients are empowered to participate in their own treatment decision-making, and we respect their choices.
CTCA programs and facilities are accredited, approved or certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the nation’s predominant standard setting and accrediting body in healthcare; the American College of Surgeons; the College of American Pathology; and the American College of Radiology.