Compassionate cancer care close to home
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. At Mount Nittany Medical Center, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our dedicated team offers comprehensive, compassionate care — no matter the type or stage of cancer — so you can focus on healing while staying close to home.
Understanding your cancer treatment options
Every cancer journey is unique, and so is every treatment plan. Your care team will work with you to design a personalized plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.
Our cancer specialists in Centre County provide a full range of cancer services and treatments including:
- Surgery: Often the first step in treatment, cancer surgery aims to remove tumors when possible. Many procedures are minimally invasive and may be combined with other therapies.
- Chemotherapy: This common treatment uses powerful medications to target and destroy fast-growing cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: High doses of radiation are used to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. Our cancer specialists provide several advanced therapies including:
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): Precisely targets tumors while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): Often used with IMRT, IGRT enhances accuracy using real-time imaging, particularly for tumors that may move between sessions.
- Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT): Delivers high-dose radiation in fewer sessions for select cancers.
- Immunotherapy: Boosts your body’s natural defenses to fight cancer.
- Hormone therapy: Helps manage cancers that rely on hormones to grow, such as some breast and prostate cancers.
Prostate cancer treatment
Our prostate cancer specialists combine innovative treatments with personalized care. Depending on your needs, your doctor may recommend:
- SpaceOAR® Hydrogel treatment: Reduces radiation side effects by creating a protective barrier between the prostate and healthy tissue.
- Xofigo®: Targets and destroys bone cancer cells, providing symptom relief and improving outcomes.
Preparing for your first visit
Preparing for your first appointment can help ease stress. You may want to consider bringing the following:
- A supportive friend or family member who can help retain information
- Relevant medical records
- A list of your current medications
- Questions or concerns to discuss with your care team
You might also find it helpful to download the MyMountNittany app to manage appointments, message providers and access your medical records.
State-of-the-art facilities in central PA
The Lance & Ellen Shaner Cancer Pavilion is designed to support your well-being and comfort:
- Convenient, accessible location with ample parking
- Comfortable treatment areas with free Wi-Fi
- Dedicated spaces for relaxation and privacy
Meet your cancer care team
At Mount Nittany Medical Center, we take a multidisciplinary approach to your care. Your team may include:
- Medical, radiation and surgical oncologists
- Oncology nurses
- Oncology patient navigators
- Physician assistants
- Radiation therapists
- Dietitians
- Chaplains
- Research teams
- Palliative care providers
- Pathologists
- Social workers
Our collaborative approach ensures you receive well-rounded, holistic care throughout your treatment journey.
Meet our oncologists
Aderonke Ajala, MD
Jerome Derdel, MD
Angelica Kline, PA-C
Veeral B. Patel, MD
Amy Rothrock, PA-C
Abhishek Seth, MD
Vivek Verma, MD
Lynn Whittaker, CRNP, AOCNP
Managing cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects
We’re committed to helping you maintain the best possible quality of life. Our team focuses on managing symptoms and side effects, offering regular check-ins with your care team to ensure your treatment plan is effective and adjusted to your evolving needs.
Support services we offer
Cancer care goes beyond treatment. That’s why we offer cancer support services to guide you on your path to recovery. These may include connecting you to local support groups, educational resources, rehabilitation services, spiritual guidance and counseling, and access to clinical trials.
