ZION, Ill., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new partnership with Chicago area-based American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery (ACSN), Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern) expands its services to include neurosurgery.  CTCA patients with cancer of the central nervous system will be provided with the comfort of undergoing surgery in-house with the state-of-the-art technology and space now available in the new surgical center at CTCA at Midwestern.  Together, the ACSN and CTCA at Midwestern are committed to improving quality of life, introducing new technology and exploring new avenues of treatment. 

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"Our promise has always been to rally our medical expertise around the patient," said Anne Meisner, president and CEO of CTCA at Midwestern. "That includes providing comprehensive medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery under one roof.  As we strive to continually lead the health care industry in providing advanced options for cancer treatment, the addition of neurosurgery to our surgical services is a key investment into the care of our patients." 

"Neurosurgery is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer," said Meisner. "It is a highly specialized field of surgery that can offer hope to many of our patients.  I am proud to add neurosurgery to the arsenal of treatment options available to CTCA at Midwestern patients as they battle this disease."

In this new agreement, Juan C. Alzate, MD, of the ACSN will perform neurosurgical procedures such as tumor removal, spinal tumor resection and stereotaxic brain biopsy at Midwestern.  Previously, patients at Midwestern undergoing neurosurgery traveled for consult and surgery. 

According to Charles Komen Brown, MD, PhD and medical director of surgery and surgical oncology at CTCA at Midwestern, "The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery is a leader in spine, brain and nerve care, with a focus on helping patients minimize pain and symptoms to facilitate a quick return to the activities they enjoy.  We are very excited to welcome Dr. Juan Alzate to our team." 

Dr. Alzate is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society.  Dr. Alzate is fluent in English and Spanish and has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored many book chapters and has spoken at numerous conferences both in the U.S. and Colombia.

"I am very excited to embark on a new relationship with CTCA at Midwestern patients," said Alzate. "The surgical staff at CTCA at Midwestern is highly trained and responsive.  As a leader on this team, I am committed to working with patients to develop an individualized approach that meets their needs and helps them return quickly to family, work and the things that they enjoy."

CTCA at Midwestern recently celebrated the grand opening of a new 25,000 square-foot surgical center, which opened to patients on January 30, 2012.  This expansion includes four large operating rooms, eight private rooms for same day surgery patients and plenty of space for family and friends.

About Cancer Treatment Centers of America®

Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) is a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, Arizona, and Georgia (August 2012).  CTCA provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment model that fully integrates conventional, state-of-the-art medical treatments with scientifically-supported complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, psychological counseling, physical therapy and spiritual support to meet the special, whole-person needs of cancer patients with complex and advanced-stage disease. CTCA encourages patients and their families to participate in treatment decisions through its Patient Empowerment Medicine® model.  For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, go to http://www.cancercenter.com/.

About the American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery

The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery, Libertyville, IL is a leader in spine, brain and nerve care. Every year, the innovative and minimally invasive techniques we use have helped more than 4,000 patients from around the world. The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery offers comprehensive care to help our patients move forward with the healing process: diagnosis, medical imaging, pain management, surgery and physical therapy. For more information about The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery, go to www.acsneuro.com.

Related Link:
Cancer Treatment Centers of America Midwestern Regional Medical Center

SOURCE Cancer Treatment Centers of America