Aziz Khan
Executive Director of Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine
Professor and Chief, Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine
Simmons Cancer Institute
The Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine offers personalized cancer care, infusion services and other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for patients and families. Our team includes surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, genetic counselors, therapists and nurses.
Welcome
Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU practices “the team approach” to cancer treatment. Our team – the surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, genetic counselors, therapists, nurses and medical staff – meet together to decide the best treatment plan when you or your family member receives a cancer diagnosis. When the patient leaves SCI after receiving a cancer diagnosis, it’s not with a list of appointments for other opinions about treatment. It’s with a treatment plan and the knowledge that their cancer care team is working for the best possible outcome.
Collectively, our researchers have successfully achieved external grant funding in excess of $14 million. A large number of our physician faculty members also work with patients in clinical trials making new treatments and therapies available as cancer treatments advance.
In addition to patient care and research, many complementary programs and therapies are provided for our patients, their families and caregivers. These include support groups and dietary and nutrition counseling. Other services offered are yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pilates and exercise programs specifically for cancer patients.
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PATIENT CARE
Holistic care
When it comes to your cancer journey, you are not alone. At Simmons Cancer Institute, we believe in providing holistic care beyond chemotherapy and infusion treatments. We provide you and your family with complementary therapies and supportive services.
Programs
At Simmons Cancer Institute, we practice the team approach to cancer care. This means that our patients’ cancer treatment plans are formed collectively by our team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, counselors, and chemotherapy-certified medical staff.
Clinical services
EDUCATION
Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
The Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship is a 3-year program at the SIU School of Medicine. As a fellow, you'll split your time between inpatient and outpatient rotations, through which you will acquire a panel of patients you will follow over your three years of training. In your subsequent years of training, you'll conduct research and participate in sub-specialty training including gynecologic oncology, radiation oncology, hematopathology, stem cell transplantation and CAR-T cell therapy, and outpatient service.
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RESEARCH
Preventing and curing cancer
Discovery research at the Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU provides the novel findings in cancer biology which will translate to better detection, treatment, and prevention options in the future. Research efforts are revealing fresh aspects in cellular and molecular mechanisms promoting tumor growth and metastases, new biomarkers for earlier detection and monitoring of therapeutic interventions, innovative agents and approaches for the treatment and prevention of cancer growth and proliferation.
Our Team
Latest news
Free prostate cancer screenings Sept. 13
DECATUR, IL Memorial Health, in partnership with SIU Medicine and Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, will offer free prostate cancer screenings on Friday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at SIU
Free movie night for breast & prostate cancer awareness Sept. 5
The public is invited to a Cancer Awareness Night at the Avon Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Decatur, with a free showing of 'The Princess Bride.'
Summer research interns share findings at Simmons Cancer showcase
Four budding scientists presented their research to an audience of faculty, family and community supporters at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU Medicine on August 1.
Free skin cancer screenings available in Decatur on Aug. 26
SIU Dermatology and Memorial Cancer Care in Decatur are partnering to offer a free community skin cancer screening on August 26.
Latest blog articles
FDA requires patient notification of breast density
Nearly half of women age 40 and older have dense breasts, which can make mammograms harder to read and increase the likelihood of missing cancer during screenings. To address this, the FDA now requires mammogram facilities to notify patients about their breast density.
How telehealth can help cancer survivors
Learn how virtual health care is making a positive impact on the lives of cancer survivors.
The royal treatment: Understanding preventative chemotherapy
For many of us, the term preventative chemotherapy is confusing. Chemotherapy is a treatment for a disease, not medication to prevent cancer, right? And if surgery removed all traces of the cancer, why would a patient need to go through chemo?
Screenings recommended to detect cervical cancer
The CDC estimates that each year 11,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States, and almost 4,000 will die of this cancer. However, like many other cancers, cervical cancer is treatable, and early detection can help save your life.