Salem Oncology Centre strives to provide "caring beyond medicine", where the practice of medicine is not a job, but is a mission. With the major focus on the individual patient, we provide the best possible care which includes the most up-to-date knowledge, combined with compassion and caring. Therefore, each patient receives a personalized treatment plan and high-tech measures are taken to avoid possible side effects. Salem Oncology Centre has provided care to patients from around the world for over ten years. Our multicultural- sensitive staff serves the needs of our patients and their families.

Commitment to Excellence:
Excellence is achieved by making sure that every patient receives the very best possible treatment. Treatment plans are designed only after (1) an in-depth review of pathology to confirm the diagnosis, (2) the performance of appropriate scans and X-rays to determine the extent of disease. After this process is completed, multi-disciplinary group consultations are obtained to formulate the most effective treatment plan. Our number one priority is the patient, not research. Patients are enrolled in research programs only when our medical staff is strongly convinced that the research program is the best treatment option for the patient.

Commitment to Time:
Excellent care cannot be delivered without a commitment to spending significant time with patients. Time has become an issue in the current environment of medical practice in America and managed care. We at Salem Oncology Centre are committed to giving all the time needed to every patient and his family to enhance their understanding of the disease process, treatment and the prognosis.

Commitment to excellence and quality of care consumes a great amount of time. We are committed to giving this time because it provides the patient the very best chance for cure.

Availability and Continuity of Care:
Our patients have 24-hour access to our doctors and nurses, seven days a week. After hours, you may call our answering service and ask to speak to a doctor or nurse. Care is not interrupted over the weekends as our facility is open on Saturdays and Sundays to guarantee continuity of care. Patient care is delivered at all times by the same team of primary doctors and nurses who know the patient well, and who are familiar with his medical and non-medical issues.

Efficiency:
We have an efficient system of evaluation for new patients. Working with our network of pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons, we deliver patient diagnosis and care in a timely manner. At our Centre, all radiological studies are scheduled within 24-48 hours after initial consultation, and if necessary, surgical procedures are scheduled within 24-72 hours. Typically, a complete evaluation is accomplished within 48-72 hours and a group consultation is obtained immediately thereafter, to determine the exact course of therapy.

Over Three Decades of Experience:
Dr. Philip A. Salem has 33 years of experience in cancer research and treatment. He was trained at the two major cancer centers in America: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. All patients who come to Salem Oncology Centre are seen and evaluated by Dr. Salem. Dr. Salem was professor of cancer medicine at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center before being appointed Director of Cancer Research at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. Dr. Salem specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors such as breast, colon, prostate, lung, pancreas, liver, sarcomas, lymphomas and others.

We believe that what determines a patient's chance for cure are scientific knowledge and the quality of medical care. No interns, residents, or trainees deliver patient care at Salem Oncology Centre.

Multi-disciplinary Approach and Group Consultations:
We strongly believe in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer therapy and the value of group consultations. We consult with the best specialists in the Texas Medical Center, as well as national and international experts. We collaborate with surgical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and other specialists. Treatment is always designed after a group consultation.

International Services:
Salem Oncology Centre has been providing care with warmth and understanding to patients from around the world for over ten years. We emphasize multi-cultural international medical care by having a multi-lingual staff. In order to assist non-English speaking international patients, our Centre has staff members fluent in Italian, Spanish, Arabic, French, Greek, Armenian, and Turkish. We also offer help procuring travel and hotel accommodations (including assistance through customs), long-term housing, and many other special services. Our goal is to make our patient's stay in Houston as worry-free as possible, so the patient can focus on getting well.

Once it is time for the patient to return home, Salem Oncology Centre has professional associates worldwide, and an international network of referrals. We also have satellite programs, one of which is in Rome, Italy.