For most of us, the word “therapeutic” brings to mind more than medicine – conjuring up images of relaxation, comfort and serenity. This is part of the vision that Dr. Irene Kazhdan, brought to fruition when she developed the CanThera Cancer Therapy Center from the ground up, literally, in Stone Oak.

The uniqueness of CanThera starts to become evident even before you walk through the doors. The building which houses the center is one of the Huffman condo units located directly across Sonterra Boulevard from the new Methodist Hospital in Stone Oak. The white stone exterior and red tile roofs give the buildings the feel of a small Mediterranean village.

On both sides of the walkway leading to CanThera’s entrance are two small, manmade, stone ponds where water flows gently back and forth. Two benches invite visitors to sit and watch the multi-colored fish swim between floating lily pads. Upon entering the lobby, water continues to provide a peaceful and serene backdrop. It cascades down a stone wall between two wooden book cases filled with books that showcase many of the world’s most beautiful natural settings. Patients and visitors can relax on overstuffed couches and inviting leather chairs while waiting to be seen.

The center’s large chemo room features a 7-foot long fish tank filled with exotic tropical fish, providing a diversion from the treatment the patient undergoes. Comfortable leather recliners are situated around the room and offer stimulating massage. It is here that the battle against cancer takes place. “We believe the treatment environment should be conducive to the healing process,” says Kazhdan. “So our center is designed to create a warm and secure atmosphere for the patients and staff to work together as a team.”

CanThera’s Web site www.CanThera.com explains how the millions of cells in our bodies normally function within certain “body laws”. Every once in a while, but very rarely, a cell will divert from the norm and develop “antisocial behavior.” If these cells can escape the body’s defenses, they can multiply and become a tumor. Although these cells are still “our cells”, they do differ from normal cells. These differences are the basis for systemic cancer therapy.

Because each of our bodies is different, cancer and its treatment varies from one person to another. “We want to take the best of technology, research and clinical knowledge and combine it with individualized, personal care. The treatment approach for each cancer patient has to be tailored to the individual,” explains Kazhdan. “We use the team approach and the patient becomes an important member of the team. The patient’s successful outcome is usually enhanced when he or she is a participating member of the team.”

Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Kazhdan came to the United States in 1991 after earning her medical degree and PhD. She was a post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and an Internal Medicine resident at Pennsylvania Hospital before completing her medical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2002. After spending six years at UTHSC as a clinical instructor and assistant professor, Kazhdan recently decided to use her experience and expertise in private practice.

“CanThera is the result of a dream becoming a reality,” says Kazhdan. “By offering so much more than a sterile clinical environment, our patients know the moment they walk in that they have made a good choice. Every member of the CanThera team is dedicated to giving every patient a positive and comforting experience.”

“The good news,” says Kazhdan, “is that the arsenal of cancer therapies is growing and expanding every day. Our task is to pull together the right combination of treatment therapies to fight each patient’s cancer. The advances being made in the treatment of cancer are resulting in more victories in this battle every year.”