Our services

Novant Health Cancer Institute – Elizabeth cares for adult patients with blood disorders and cancers of all types, as well as people wishing to learn about and manage their cancer risks through our cancer risk & genetics clinic.

When you choose our Charlotte cancer center, you benefit from collaborative care by multidisciplinary teams. Medical, surgical and radiation oncology specialists work side by side to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan. While you will be seen at a specialized clinic where your specific cancer or blood disorder is the focus, you will also benefit from providers from multiple clinics regularly reviewing your case.

 

Tumor-based clinics

Breast cancer

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, and can also affect men. If you have a concerning lump or pain in your breast, early detection and quick treatment can be life-saving. We use advanced tools to investigate and treat breast cancer, including:

  • Mammography
  • Computer-assisted tomography (CT) scans
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
  • Breast biopsies, including stereotactic need biopsies
  • Mastectomy procedures

Head & neck cancer

Head and neck cancers include cancer of the mouth, tongue, throat and voice box, as well as skin cancer on the face, lips and ears. These cancers often are accompanied by pain, lumps, or changes in skin or voice. Early detection and treatment can greatly increase your chance of a favorable outcome. Our providers make every effort to hide or minimize scarring. Our otolaryngology specialists offer:

  • Speech therapy
  • Audiology (to treat and prevent hearing loss and hearing damage)
  • Flexible laryngoscopy (to examine the throat and voice box)
  • Ultrasounds
  • Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA)(to examine the thyroid)
  • Biopsy procedures (to detect skin cancer or cancer in the mouth)
  • Minor surgical procedures including cerumen (earwax) removal
  • Sinus endoscopy (to examine the nasal and sinus passages)

Genitourinary cancer

Genitourinary cancers affect the male reproductive system and the adrenal glands. These include, prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, penile and adrenal cancer. We use advanced tools to detect and investigate these cancers, including:

  • Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) (used to create a picture of the prostate or other structures by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off of those structures)
  • Intravenous pyelogram exams (X-ray exams where contrast dye is used to examine the kidneys, ureters and bladder)
  • Cystoscopy (a procedure to examine the lining of the bladder along with the urethra)

Gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancers affect the digestive system, and include cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, liver and biliary system. We offer both traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures to address these cancers, as well as diagnostic procedures including:

  • Digital rectal examinations (to check the rectum, pelvis and lower belly for cancer)
  • Colonoscopy procedures (to detect and remove cancerous cells and abnormalities from the colon)
  • Sigmoidoscopy (an examination of the sigmoid colon to detect ulcers, polyps and abnormal cells)
  • Barium enema exams (an X-ray exam to detect abnormalities in the colon)
  • CEA assay (a blood test to measure the level of carcinoembryonic antigen in the blood, which is often elevated in patients with colon cancer)

Gynecologic oncology

Women with gynecologic cancers including ovarian, cervical, uterine, vulvar, fallopian tube and vaginal cancer can get comprehensive, compassionate care from a team of providers devoted solely to gynecologic oncology. We understand women’s unique needs, and we are committed to delivering the medical and support services you need, including:

  • Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix)
  • Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus, surrounding tissues, certic and part of the vagina)
  • Laparoscopic staging procedures (performed to examine a cancer before a detailed treatment plan is developed)
  • Laparoscopic lymph node dissection (removal of all or part of lymph nodes)
  • Laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes)
  • Laparoscopic trachelectomy (removal of the upper vagina, cervix and surrounding tissue)
  • Laparoscopic omentectomy (removal of all or part of the omentum, a tissue surrounding the abdominal organs)

Thoracic oncology

Patients suffering from lung tumors and other lung concerns can often benefit from thoracic surgery (referring to the area from the base of the neck to the abdomen). We offer:

  • Minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including da Vinci Robotic Surgery
  • Lung, esophageal and mediastinal tumor surgeries
  • Lung resection (the removal of a section of or the entire lung), including traditional surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted procedures
  • Bronchoscopy procedures (to examine the lungs and air passages)
  • Thoracentesis procedures (to remove fluid between the lung and the chest wall)

Hematology

Novant Health Cancer Institute – Elizabeth (Hematology) provides complete care for blood cancers. Our providers use the very latest technology and regularly collaborate with other leading blood cancer specialists from across the nation to ensure you have access to the most advanced treatments available. The result is comprehensive care tailored specifically to you.

Blood cancers we regularly treat include:

  • Leukemia (a cancer that originates in the bone marrow and other blood-producing tissues, and suppresses the infection-fighting abilities of healthy white blood cells)
  • Lymphoma (a cancer that affects lymphocytes, which are blood cells that protect from infection and control inflammation)
  • Multiple myeloma and amyloidosis (conditions where cancer cells crowd out healthy cells in blood plasma)
  • Myelodysplasia, myeloproliferative disease or myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN; conditions where the body overproduces red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets)

Treatments can include:

  • Chemotherapy (intravenous or oral medications that target cancer cells and disable the cell’s ability to grow or survive)
  • Radiation therapy (a treatment that alters the makeup of cancer cells; could also be used before a stem cell transplant or to relieve pain)
  • Immunotherapy (treatments that activate the body’s immune system to fight cancer using donor- or lab-created antibodies to identify and destroy abnormal cells; types are CAR-T cell therapy, cytokine, donor lymphocyte infusion, monoclonal antibodies, radioimmunotherapy and NK cells)
  • Stem cell transplants (replacing all bone marrow with donor marrow to help the body resume production of healthy blood cells)
  • Apheresis (also called red cell or plasma exchange; the removal of cancerous blood cells, which are replaced with healthy donor cells)

Your cancer care extends outside of our clinic to tap into resources from across the Novant Health network. Every week, a multidisciplinary team meets to review your treatment plan, progress and options. This team can include members who specialize in:

  • Medical oncology
  • Radiation oncology
  • Pathology
  • Mental health
  • Nutrition
  • Symptom management
  • Cellular immunotherapy
  • Stem cell transplantation

Classical Hematology

Novant Health Cancer Institute – Elizabeth (Classical Hematology) cares for patients with noncancerous blood conditions and disorders. If you are referred to our clinic as a new hematology patient, our team of specialists will begin by thoroughly reviewing your health history, any symptoms you are having, and any laboratory or radiology results from other providers. We might order new blood testing or other imaging to get a complete picture of your health. Then, you will be given treatment options to help you feel better and improve your overall health.

Conditions we manage include:

  1. Bleeding and clotting disorders such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism
  2. Hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia
  3. Iron deficiencies

Treatments can include:

  1. Planned transfusion medicine (a procedure to provide the body with more red blood cell platelets to carry oxygen)
  2. Apheresis (a procedure that uses a machine to remove harmful parts of the blood while returning the rest to the body)
  3. Infusion therapy (a procedure to administer intravenous iron supplements or monoclonal antibody medications)
  4. Factor replacement therapy (a procedure in which donated or lab-produced blood clotting factors replace missing ones to prevent or slow bleeding)

 

Support services

Cancer risk & genetics

If you have a strong family history of cancer, or if you have questions about your cancer risks, our cancer risk & genetics clinic is here for you. Our counselors can help you understand the benefits of genetic testing and when such tests are appropriate. Once you complete genetic testing, our team of providers will explain your personal risks and determine the best plan for you to manage those risks. You can schedule a genetics counseling visit without a referral.

Nurse navigators

Each of our patients benefits from the guidance of a dedicated nurse navigator. These specially trained nurses support you and your loved ones through every step of your care, from beginning to end. You’ll receive personalized care, from explaining your diagnosis and treatment options to connecting you with rehabilitation and support groups. The cancer journey is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Integrative medicine

Cancer and blood disorder treatment can lead to unpleasant side effects. In partnership with SherryStrong, the goal of our integrative medicine clinic is to ensure successful treatment while reducing side effects such as fatigue, pain, or weakness and numbness caused by nerve distress. We work with you to lower your risk of recurring illness while working toward optimal health. We offer:

  • Group and individual fitness training
  • Dietary guidance
  • Advice on the safe, effective use of vitamins, supplements and herbal products
  • Massage therapy and energy healing techniques
  • Mind and body training, including meditation and other stress management techniques
  • Services to help prepare for surgery
  • Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture
  • Yoga and deep breathing

Palliative care

If you or a loved one are living with a serious illness, palliative care can help maximize the quality of life for you or your loved one by minimizing the symptoms, pain and stress associated with your diagnosis. Palliative care services include:

  • Treating or lessening symptoms caused by a serious illness, including pain and nausea
  • Discussing your diagnosis and treatment goals
  • Providing information and guidance to make future treatment decisions
  • Supporting the patient’s social, emotional and spiritual needs
  • Assistance with Advanced Directives including Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will documents
  • Supporting caregivers and other loved ones

 

Advanced treatments

On-site infusion center

Should your treatment include intravenous (IV) chemotherapy or other infusions, you will receive those in our state-of-the-art infusion center. There is no waiting room; you will go straight to your chair, where you will enjoy skyline views of Uptown Charlotte. You will have your choice of private or semi-private chairs if you want to get work done or even take a nap, or more social seating where you can visit with those around you.

Our chairs are recliners with both heat and massage functions, and each has a personal television. You can also bring your own device and use our WiFi, as well as device charging stations. Snacks and drinks are available, and you can bring your own food. You are invited to bring one guest or support person with you, and there are family lounges throughout our building should your support person need a place to sit or work away from the infusion center.

Radiation oncology

If you require radiation therapy, you can receive that in our clinic. Our facility is home to two linear accelerators, or LINAC units. These can be used to treat cancers throughout the body, using individualized and highly targeted treatments. Your care team has extensive training operating these units so you receive the exact therapy you need.

Clinical trials & developmental therapeutics

Our patients benefit from access to cutting-edge clinical trials and research. If your care team believes you are a candidate for a trial or therapy currently in development, they will help you determine whether these new treatment options are right for you.