HOUSTON, March 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Memorial Hermann -- Texas Medical Center has established a new cancer center to provide Houstonians with an option for exceptional cancer care. The Center offers advanced treatment from a highly-skilled team of affiliated specialists with the University of Texas (UT) Health Medical School and access to innovative technology and supportive personalized care in a comforting environment.

"We recognize that people have a choice for cancer treatment and we are proud to be leaders in providing superior, comprehensive and accessible patient-centered care to the Houston community," said Dr. Robert J. Amato, medical director of the Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- TMC and a professor at UTHealth.

The state-of-the-art Cancer Center introduces cutting-edge clinical capabilities, physician expertise and services within a fully integrated space that promotes holistic care and healing. The facility is designed to provide a highly-personalized and comforting environment to support the needs of patients throughout the continuum of care with private treatment suites and counselor guidance during every step of the process.

The team of nationally-recognized oncologists and researchers are equipped to address the needs of all diagnoses and stages of cancer offering access to the latest procedures and clinical trials. The dynamic team works together to develop new and successful treatments to improve cancer survival rates and quality of life for patients. Comprehensive and coordinated care is initiated by an accredited, multidisciplinary tumor board that meets regularly to evaluate the most effective treatment plan for each patient, tailored to the type, stage and aggressiveness of the tumor.

"The Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- TMC is built on years of experience and extensive knowledge in helping thousands of cancer patients in Houston find hope and healing," said Paul O'Sullivan, Oncology Service Line Executive. "Our cancer center features the hallmarks that Memorial Hermann patients have come to expect, putting patients first and supporting them with physician expertise, advanced treatments and gifted caregivers."

In addition to personalized physical care, the cancer care team provides emotional support during the entire course of each patient's treatment. As an essential part of the care team, patients are provided with the information and support they need to take an active role in all decisions. Patients have access to a combination of therapies -- medical, nutritional, physical, psychological and spiritual -- and treatment plans personalized by professionals who understand the concerns of cancer patients and their families.

Social workers are available to help with non-medical needs associated with a patient's illness and can offer assistance to connect with legal and home health services, communicate with their physicians, and complement the healing process through customized therapy. Further comprehensive patient support services include: nutritional counseling, support groups, cancer education and resources, pastoral care, genetic counseling and psychosocial support.

The Center houses advanced technologies to enhance patient care including the Varian Trilogy linear accelerator, which is considered one of the most versatile cancer treatment devices available in the field of radiation therapy. The Trilogy accelerator enables any area of the body to be treated with the latest approaches in radiosurgery and radiation therapy and is highly accurate, flexible and reliable.

"Memorial Hermann-TMC and UTHealth have taken cancer treatment to the next level and we are glad to offer Houstonians a viable option in their cancer care," said Amato.

For more information, visit Memorial Hermann Cancer Center -- Texas Medical Center or call 713.222.CARE.

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Memorial Hermann -- Texas Medical Center Offers Houstonians an Option in High-Quality Cancer Care With Opening of New ...