Medical professional wearing protective gear checking machine

Cancer Center

About Us

Doctor wearing white medical coat and pink cancer ribbon comforting the hands of a patient

Full-spectrum cancer care that is cutting-edge, multidisciplinary, patient-centered. Springfield Clinic Cancer Center is a premier cancer treatment center in central Illinois. Our cancer specialists provide compassionate, individualized cancer care to our patients close to home. They treat all types of cancer and blood disorders in a collaborative environment using evidence-based treatments, cutting-edge technology and clinical research trials.

Springfield Clinic Cancer Center is certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI). QOPI is an oncologist led, practice-based quality program created by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO).

Our department is one of the few medical facilities in Illinois to achieve QOPI certification and was the first practice in downstate Illinois to do so. The providers and staff at Springfield Clinic’s Cancer Center are dedicated to delivering the highest quality cancer care.

Commission on Cancer logo.

Springfield Clinic is proud to have voluntarily met the Commission on Cancer's standards and been accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons.

Our Services

Springfield Clinic Cancer Center offers a wide variety of services and treatments, including:

  • Chemotherapy

  • Comprehensive breast cancer clinic

  • Dietetics and nutrition services

  • Education about prevention, screening and early detection

  • Fertility preservation

  • Genetic testing and counseling

  • Hormonal therapy

  • Immunologic therapy

  • NovoTTF therapy

  • Outpatient pharmacy

  • Palliative care

  • Radiation therapy

  • Rehabilitation services

Screenings & Treatments

Cancer Screenings

Getting screened regularly for cancer and other health issues is the best way to prevent many different types of disease. Cancer that is found early often is small and can sometimes be cured or treated easily. Treating certain cancers early can help people live longer.

Springfield Clinic offers screening for the following types of cancer:

  • Breast cancer

  • Cervical cancer

  • Colon cancer

  • Lung cancer

  • Ovarian cancer

  • Prostate cancer

  • Skin cancer

Cancer Treatments

Our Springfield Clinic physicians and staff work closely with our surgeons, radiation oncologists and other specialists to help our patients understand their diagnosis, develop individualized treatment plans, coordinate all aspects of treatment and provide effective surgical, chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment.

Cancer treatment options include:

  • Chemotherapy

  • Hormone Therapy

  • Immunotherapy

  • Pharmacy Services

  • Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Springfield Clinic’s Radiation Oncology team offers radiation therapy as a service to our patients. Treating cancer with radiation can result in shrinking a tumor, stopping the growth of cancer cells, preventing cancer from spreading, and reducing the symptoms of cancer.  

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments of cancer. 

The EDGE®

The EDGE® radiosurgery system is specifically designed for performing high-precision, high-dose, radiosurgeries and radioablative therapies.  The EDGE® allows us to treat our patients quickly and precisely, while potentially reducing time spent in at the clinic. This allows patients more free time away from treatment.  

SpaceOAR™

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is used in the treatment for prostate cancer patients with radiation therapy. It is an absorbable gel that creates a temporary space between the prostate and the rectum, designed to reduce radiation dose to the rectum. It is inserted via a minimally invasive procedure and is naturally absorbed by the body in about six months. 

SpaceOAR before and after graphic

Radiation Oncology referrals can be made by calling the Springfield Clinic main number 217.528.7541 and asking to speak with Radiation Oncology ext. 18140. 

Fax referrals can be sent directly to Radiation Oncology 217.210.9675. 

Infusion Services

Cancer patient getting infusion therapy

Our specially trained certified nurses provide treatments for patients with cancer and blood disorders as well as perform central line care and maintenance.

Springfield Clinic Cancer Center at Springfield Clinic 1st - 900 Building (4th Floor) offers a wide variety of treatments and services to our patients in our infusion center. Some of these treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biotherapy, fluid replacement and iron treatments.

The infusion center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors are welcome in the treatment area, however, all visitors must be at least 16 years old. For safety reasons, we only allow one visitor at a time in the treatment area.

For our patients receiving chemotherapy, we recommend eating a light meal before your treatment. You may eat during your treatment. We also offer a variety of snacks and drinks free of charge. Outside food and snacks are allowed, however, please remember chemotherapy patients can be overly sensitive to strong smells and aromas.

Since our pumps are designed to continue infusing when they are unplugged, it is okay to unplug them and roll them into the restroom. If you need quick access to a restroom or have trouble getting around, please let staff know and they can seat you closer to a restroom.

Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, you should continue to take your regular medications during treatment. Also, if you will be due for any dose of your medication during your treatment, please bring them with you to your appointment. This includes pain medication and any diabetic supplies such as insulin, syringes, glucometers and meter strips.

If you are on oxygen therapy, please bring your equipment with you. This includes your canister, nasal cannula and a back-up canister if your oxygen supply might run low during your treatment. When planning how many canisters you will need, remember to consider your travel time to and from your appointment. Also, please bring any personal supplies, including colostomy supplies, dressing change supplies and incontinence supplies with you to your treatment.

Cell phone use is allowed in the infusion area, however, please be mindful of other patients who may be resting. Laptops, tablets, e-readers and other electronic devices are also welcome. Free wi-fi is available. Due to patient privacy regulations, no pictures, face time or video recording is allowed in the treatment area.

Some medications your doctor may order as part of your treatment can make you drowsy. Patients who receive these types of medications are not allowed to drive themselves home for safety reasons. Please talk with your doctor or nurse prior to treatment if you will be receiving any medications that may make you drowsy so you can make prior arrangements to get home safely.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials for cancer treatments are available at select Springfield Clinic Cancer Center locations.

A clinical trial is a research study performed in humans that are assigned one or more health-related interventions to evaluate if the treatment is safe and can improve health outcomes. Patients volunteer to be in clinical trials. Clinical trials can:

  • Test new treatments to see if they help with certain diseases or conditions better than the current treatments

  • Test treatments or lifestyle changes to see if they prevent or lower the chance of getting certain diseases

  • Test new ways of finding out if people have certain diseases

Clinical trials that test new treatments, such as medicines, fall into one of three types. The type of trial depends on its goal and how much testing the treatment has already had. There are three different types of treatment trials:

In phase I trials, doctors check the safety of a new treatment. They learn how the medicine should be given, how often it should be given, what dose is safe and what the side effects are.

In phase II trials, doctors give a new treatment to a group of people with a certain disease. The doctors check the treatment's side effects and how well it works to treat the disease.

In phase III trials, doctors compare a new treatment with the current treatment for a certain disease. They learn if the new treatment helps the disease better, worse or the same as the current treatment. They also learn if the new treatment has more or fewer side effects than the current treatment.

Pharmacy Services

Springfield Clinic Cancer Center at Springfield Clinic 1st - 900 Building includes a modern, state-of-the-art compounding pharmacy to safely and expertly prepare chemotherapy, hydration fluids, iron replacement, antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulins. Prepared in a sterile environment, we ensure that your treatment is made accurately and safely. Orders are checked for accuracy and appropriateness for your needs, and the pharmacists work closely with the physicians and nurses to streamline the process.

Additionally, we offer an oral dispensing pharmacy for this high-risk and specialized area of oncology. We work with your physician and your insurance provider to fill your specialized medications in the same place you see your physician.

Medications can be delivered to you during an appointment or during your time in the infusion unit. If the co-pay for your medications (as determined by your insurance) is costly (greater than $50), we will initiate a financial inquiry with multiple resources to find the assistance needed to continue your treatment.

Pharmacy Hours and Contact Information

Our goal is to provide the medications you need in an affordable and convenient manner. Our pharmacist is available to answer any questions you may have.

Refills, as directed by your physician, can also be filled at our pharmacy. Please call 217.391.5262 or 217.528.7541 and ask for the oncology pharmacist one to two days prior to needing more medication.

Both new prescriptions and refills can be picked up at the Cancer Center at Springfield Clinic 1st - 900 Building (4th Floor) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. Additionally, mailing service is available.


Resources

Additional Cancer Education and Resources

Cancer Education & Treatment Guide

Chemotherapy Educational Videos

Oncology Liaisons

Our oncology patient liaisons at Springfield Clinic identify and obtain financial resources that may be available for patient’s chemotherapy treatments as needed. This includes assisting patients with insurance questions, educating patients about billing policies, obtaining co-pay cards and finding grants, foundations and other available resources to help patients with the cost of chemotherapy medications for their cancer treatment.

For more information, please contact your Cancer Center provider at 217.280.6954.

New Patient Orientation Classes

An orientation class is available for new cancer patients at HSHS St. John's Pavilion and Springfield Clinic 1st - 900 Building.

Patients receiving cancer care at HSHS St. John's Pavilion will receive details for orientation opportunities at their initial consultation appointment.

New chemotherapy and immunotherapy patients at Springfield Clinic 1st - 900 Building can sign up for a new patient orientation class. Contact the Cancer Center or your provider team for the next session.

Common topics of this orientation:

  • What is cancer?

  • Treatment types & common side effects

  • Side effect management

  • Your treatment plan

  • What to expect during infusion

  • Tour of infusion room

Cancer Support Groups

Springfield Clinic patients, families and loved ones, who are in need of support during or after this difficult time, can use any of these local support groups. 

Group type/name

MEETING DETAILS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Breast Cancer Support Group

Springfield Memorial Hospital

Springfield, IL

In person or virtually

2nd Tuesday of each month @ 5:30pm

Clark Conference Room (E-118)

Tia Rapps BSN, RN, CURN

217.528.5392

[email protected]

Capital Ostomy Support Group

Hosted by HSHS St. John’s Hospital

Springfield, IL

Conference Call

1st Thursday of each month

4:00 p.m.

Call for information

Toni Frank RN BSN MA, WCC

217.544.6464 ext. 44039

Finding Hope Support Group

(for any patient, spouse, caregiver, friend, etc.)

Springfield Memorial Hospital

Springfield, IL

In person or virtually

3rd Wednesday of each month

5:00 p.m.

Clark Conference Room (E-118)

Tia Rapps BSN, RN, CURN

217.528.5392

[email protected]

Head and Neck Cancer Support Group

Simmons Cancer Center

Springfield, IL

1st Friday every March, June,

September, & December

3rd Floor, room 3015

Jenny Varga SLP

217.862.0415

[email protected]

Montgomery County

Breast Cancer Support Group

Hillsboro Area Hospital

Hillsboro, IL

1st Monday, every other month

6:30 p.m.

Fusion Building

Tina Hagemeier

217.246.6126

Call to check status of meetings if interested

Us Too Prostate Cancer Support Group

Springfield Memorial Hospital

Springfield, IL

In person or virtually

2nd Wednesday of each month

5:15 p.m.

Room B-149

Tia Rapps BSN, RN, CURN

217.528.5392

[email protected]

Women Around You

(for female cancer patients of any age)

Simmons Cancer Institute

Springfield, IL

Virtual

Email for more information

about current dates/times

[email protected]

Our Locations

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