Cancer
Regardless of which Indiana University Health Cancer Centers location provides your care, you have assurance that our highly skilled physicians, nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, spiritual care chaplains, social workers and pharmacists will work with you and your loved ones to develop the best course of treatment for your illness. We refer to this as a multidisciplinary approach – many specialists all focused on providing you the highest level of care.
IU Health Cancer Centers offer convenient inpatient and outpatient cancer care, also known as oncology care, at locations throughout the state. Our centers in the communities of Avon, Bedford, Bloomington, Carmel, Goshen, Indianapolis, Lafayette, La Porte, Monticello, Muncie, and Tipton provide a wide range of services, as well as participate in clinical trials and research that help identify better ways to fight and prevent cancer.
In Indianapolis, IU Simon Cancer Center not only provides the highest level of patient care, but is also specifically focused on research and education. IU Simon Cancer Center is the only patient care cancer center in Indiana to receive the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, recognizing the facility for scientific excellence, for discovery and development of more effective approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and for educating health care professionals and the public.
Our centers also include the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is one of a very few sites in the United States that offers highly precise, nonsurgical proton beam radiation that targets only tumors without harming healthy surrounding tissue.
Our hospital centers are complemented by IU Health physician groups and independent physician offices that provide care in your neighborhood, and our IU Health Central Indiana Cancer Centers that provide both diagnostic and treatment services at Indianapolis-area locations.
As an academic health center, IU Health also works in partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine to train the next generation of physicians, and combine breakthrough research and treatments to offer you the highest quality of patient care.
Along with the information you receive from your cancer care team, this website provides a wealth of information to help you understand your illness and the comprehensive services IU Health Cancer Centers provide. Please take a moment to learn more about our locations, physicians, and research.
Cancer Treatment
IU Health Cancer Centers physicians focus on specific cancers so you can be assured you are receiving care from experts on your particular condition.
Surgical oncology is a standard treatment for some cancers, and may be performed as an inpatient or outpatient procedure. Many IU Health Cancer Centers use robotic surgery equipment that is highly precise and less invasive, resulting in a shorter recovery time.
Medical oncology services involve cancer treatment using medications such as chemotherapy, biotherapy and hormones.
Radiation oncology specializes in the use of electromagnetic energy to create a change in human tissue. Typically referred to as radiation therapy, this treatment can be successful in slowing or stopping certain types of malignant cell growth and may be used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.
IU Health Cancer Centers offer numerous radiation technologies through linear accelerators and other highly advanced equipment. We are also one of just a few cancer networks in the country who offer proton therapy for cancer treatment. The IU Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington offers highly precise, nonsurgical proton beam radiation that targets only tumors without harming healthy surrounding tissue.
Oncology rehabilitation assists patients who experience physical challenges during and after cancer treatment. This specialized field recognizes and treats the potential side effects of cancer surgeries and therapies including swelling in arms or legs, restricted mobility, balance and walking problems, fatigue or weakness, or scar tissue. Rehabilitation concentrates on improving the ability to function and enhancing their quality of life.
Services
Bone marrow and stem cell transplant
Breast cancer
Endocrine oncology
- Thyroid, adrenal cortex, and pancreas cancers
Gastrointestinal oncology
- Colon, rectum, appendix, bile duct, esophagus, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, small intestine, and stomach cancers
Genitourinary oncology
- Prostate, bladder, kidney, penis, and ureter cancers
Gynecologic oncology
- Cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, and vagina cancers
Head and neck cancers
Hematology and hematologic malignancies
- Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
Hepato-pancreato-biliary oncology
- Liver, pancreas, and gall bladder cancers
Neuro-oncology
- Brain, spinal cord, and metastatic nervous system tumors
Pediatric cancers
Sarcoma
- Soft tissue lesions and metastatic bone cancers
Skin cancer and melanoma
Testicular cancer
Thoracic oncology
- Lung, esophagus, pleura, and chest wall cancers
Thymoma
- Thymus gland cancer
Cancer Innovation
IU Health Cancer Centers’ physicians are focused on providing you with the latest technology to battle your cancer. In addition, our physician researchers throughout the state are looking for the newest ways to treat and prevent cancer through clinical trials, research, and collaboration with organizations such as the National Cancer Institute and Hoosier Oncology Group. Learn more about innovation at IU Health Cancer Centers.
Cancer Team
The statewide IU Health Cancer Centers team is made up of leading physicians who specialize in cancer treatment, also known as oncology. Within these specific cancer specialties, we have physicians who focus on surgical, medical, and radiation oncology.
Along with our highly skilled physicians, our nurses, physical therapists, dieticians, spiritual care chaplains, social workers and pharmacists will work with you and your loved ones to develop the best course of treatment for your illness. This team will provide you with the highest level of medical expertise, communication, and compassion as they work with you to battle cancer.
Cancer Stories
Our patients often speak best to the care IU Health Cancer Centers provide. View our cancer patient stories below or view all patient stories.
