Van Elslander Cancer Center

History of Van Elslander Cancer Center

Van Elslander Cancer Center is part of the Ascension St. John Hospital campus in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. This northeastern suburb is part of Metro Detroit. The 69,000-square-foot center opened its doors in 2001 in response to a growing need for convenient cancer care.

St. John Hospital has been in operation since 1926. It belongs to the Ascension Michigan Cancer Care network. The parent company, Ascension, is a non-profit health system with facilities nationwide.

As part of Ascension Michigan Cancer Care, the center treats many different types of cancer, including:

• Blood cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Ductal cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymph node cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Stomach cancer

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Mesothelioma Care at Van Elslander Cancer Center

Doctors at Ascension St. John Hospital – Van Elslander Cancer Center have expertise in treating advanced cancers. The center uses state-of-the-art technology and procedures to treat mesothelioma patients.

St. John Hospital was one of the first in Michigan to treat peritoneal cancers with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Dr. Richard Berri, Chief of Surgical Oncology, leads the HIPEC program. He is an expert in the surgical treatment of abdominal cancers.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) for which surgery plus HIPEC treatment is common.

Dr. Berri began working at St. John Hospital in 2011. Since then, he and his team have performed over 425 HIPEC procedures. Under the direction of Dr. Berri, St. John Hospital has grown to be one of the largest HIPEC programs in the United States.

Van Elslander Cancer Center Specializations

• Chemotherapy
• Genetic testing and counseling
• HIPEC
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Medical oncology
• Oral targeted therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgical oncology

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Patient and Family Services at Van Elslander Cancer Center

Van Elslander Cancer Center offers many types of support resources for mesothelioma patients and their families, including:

• Cancer Rehabilitation
• Caregiver Support Groups
• Chaplains
• Dietitians
• Emotional Health Services
• Massage
• Oncology-Certified Social Workers
• Oncology-Trained Pharmacists
• Palliative Care Specialists
• Patient Navigators
• Patient Support Groups
• Physical Health Classes
• Reiki
• Survivorship Programs
• Tai Chi
• Yoga

The onsite Healing Center provides therapeutic services and classes on emotional and physical health. It has a library reference room and a healing garden.

Patient and Family Services Near Detroit

Van Elslander Cancer Center is located in ​​Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, which shares a southern border with Detroit. Its proximity to a major metropolitan area offers mesothelioma patients and their families access to a wide range of off-site services.