The New Cancer Hospital
The Ireland Cancer Center consistently ranks among the top 25 cancer hospitals in the U.S., holding the National Cancer Institute’s highest distinction as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. With that in mind, UH is investing in the future of cancer treatment and research by building a new, free-standing cancer hospital to bring all facets of cancer care under one roof. The new cancer hospital, equipped with 120 patient beds, will combine the best technologies, the most effective protocols and the latest findings for cancer care in one 360,000-square-foot, free-standing facility.
Why the Need for a New Cancer Hospital?
- Northeast Ohio has a growing aging population and high incidence in breast, lung, genitourinary, colorectal and other types of cancer. As more cancer patients are diagnosed, these patients are in need of specialized treatment and follow-up care.
- Ireland Cancer Center is a tertiary care referral center serving the entire region and its rapidly growing population of cancer patients. Ireland has a reputation for being resourceful in meeting the challenge of our growing cancer population, for providing increasingly complex and individualized treatment, and for leadingedge research.
- Ireland coordinates clinical care at its six community-based centers in Cleveland suburbs and neighboring counties. These centers replicate protocols established at Ireland’s main campus and provide convenient access to a variety of outpatient services. However, the majority of services occur at University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC).
- Ireland’s capacity to meet these growing needs of the community has reached a critical level. Ireland’s main site has grown into a collection of departments and services located in numerous buildings throughout UHCMC.
The New Cancer Hospital Plan
- The new, free-standing building will concentrate all Ireland departments and services under one roof to optimize patient care.
- The 360,000-square-foot facility will triple the square footage that cancer services currently encompass in seven different locations at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The cancer building will have 120 inpatient and outpatient beds with the ability to expand to 150 beds, up from today’s 60 to 75 beds.
- The building’s design calls for clinical pods – space designed for specific patient populations. Clinical pods – both inpatient and outpatient - will include: gynecological oncology; breast cancer; gastrointestinal malignancies; skin cancer; lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia; bone marrow transplant; lung/esophagealcancers; prostate, bladder and kidney; and hematology disorders.
- The new facility will have glassed-in areas, allowing patients and visitors to glimpse into research labs, and scientists to see patients coming and going.
Services will include:
- Inpatient bed floors
- Outpatient services including physician clinical offices and patient treatment areas
- Patient clinical trials
- Patient education programs
- State-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging programs, and screening programs
- New operating rooms for cancer patients that emphasize minimally invasive surgery, video-assisted surgery and robotics
- Radiation facilities including CyberKnife, GammaKnife, IMRT and conventional treatment planning
- Infusion therapy and clinic to accommodate 27,000 physician visits annually
- Radiation oncology treatment space and administration
- Surgical operating rooms including minimally invasive surgery suites
- Expanded breast center with state-of-the art digital and MRI mammography
- Teaching and conference facilities
- Space for future diagnostic and treatment advancements
- Faculty and administrative offices