"Sometimes, a brilliant idea in the lab can be translated into great patient benefit in the clinic," says Dr. Raghavan. "Social support programs … are also critically important in helping patients negotiate the complex course of fighting cancer. Of course, it is also tremendously important to provide high-quality education — both to cancer specialists and other physicians but also [to] our patients and their supporters."
Collaboration and education are two of the attributes most commonly associated with successful oncology programs. Here are 11 hospitals with oncology programs that are strong in these areas and many others.
1. The Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland). The Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top cancer hospitals in the country and was ranked first in Ohio in 2008. The Cleveland Clinic sponsors extensive cancer research, which has led to the identification of new molecules with anti-tumor effects. In addition, the hospital has engendered collaborative ties with biotechnology companies, trained younger scientists and expanded their base of financial support.
Dr. Raghavan attributes much of the center's success to a combination of quality medical practice and creative cancer research. "One of the strengths of the clinic," he says, "is [that] we identify problems in our practice, [then] go to the lab and figure them out. We not only do good clinical work, but [we] also know how to integrate it with our scientific and laboratory programs."
Collaboration is another element that makes the Taussig Center successful, according to Dr. Raghavan. The center has partnered with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in order to develop investigational tools to use in the community. The Taussig Center has also entered into an interactive research relationship with Case Western University. The Cleveland Clinic is involved in the community and maintains programs that help "under-served" patients, such as the elderly.
Education is the final element that Dr. Raghavan says accounts for the center's success. He says, "We have large training programs in medical/hematologic oncology and in radiation oncology, and one of the largest in the United States in palliative care." www.clevelandclinic.org
2. Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia). Fox Chase Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit institution formed in 1974 by the union of American Oncologic Hospital and the Institute for Cancer Research. The center is comprised of several departments including advanced practice clinicians, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging and medical oncology, and treats various conditions from brain cancer to melanoma. Fox Chase uses advanced technologies including precise image-guided radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy as well as minimally invasive robotic surgery in its treatment of cancer.
Approximately 170 clinical trials of new prevention, diagnostic and treatment techniques are underway at any one time in its research department. In fact, two Fox Chase scientists, Baruch Blumberg and Irwin Rose, have won Nobel Prizes (Mr. Blumberg in Medicine and Mr. Rose in Chemistry) and remain active members within the center. Fox Chase has fellowships in breast cancer, hematology/oncology, pathology, and surgical oncology. Fox Chase also provides screening and education programs for communities in the Philadelphia area. www.fccc.edu
3. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston). Dana-Farber specializes exclusively in cancer research and care. Partnered with Brigham Women's Hospital and The Children's Hospital in Boston, the Dana-Farber provides patients with a complete system of integrated care and treats everything from breast to endocrine to head and neck cancer. The institute has a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts, and patients have access to clinical research trials that offer promising new treatments. Dana-Farber's physician-researchers are involved in significant research and recently helped to develop Gleevec for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The institute offers a wide range of support services for its adult and pediatric patients, ranging from concerns about death and dying to finding temporary housing.
In 1981, Dana-Farber established the weekly seminar series titled "Seminars in Oncology." A committee that includes faculty, fellows and students selects the topics and speakers for this series. The seminars draw an audience from the entire Boston biomedical research community.
www.dana-farber.org
4. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania has been designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. The center is comprised of 300 physicians and scientists who are dedicated to increasing knowledge about cancer prevention and cures. The center focuses on endocrine and surgical oncology, gynecological oncology and hematology-oncology.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's cancer rehabilitation program helps patients handle the results of cancer or cancer treatment, including deconditioning, lymphedema, loss of physical function, neurological deficits, and pain- and cancer-related fatigue. The program offers consultations with a cancer physiatrist and examination services as well as physical therapy services. The cancer physicians work as part of interdisciplinary teams that include experts from various specialties, experienced in diagnosing and treating patients with a particular type of cancer. www.pennhealth.com
5. The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore). The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins has been ranked the third best in the nation and the top cancer hospital in the Mid-Atlantic Region by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been designated by the NCI as a comprehensive cancer center. The center has active programs in clinical research, laboratory research, education, community outreach and prevention and control.
The center provides a wide range of specialty programs for children and adults, including bone marrow transplantation and new drug development. According to Amy Mone, director of public affairs, patients who visit the Kimmel Cancer Center are able to quickly access new and innovative therapies. Scientists and clinicians at Sidney Kimmel work together, allowing developments in the laboratory to transfer quickly into use in the clinical setting. Information on genetic counseling, early detection and prevention is available through the genetics service for those patients who may be at high risk for breast, ovarian, colon and other cancers. In addition, the Sidney Kimmel offers family and patient services recently opened a 39-suite pavilion for out-of-town patients to stay in while they receive treatment.
Martin Abeloff, MD, considers the successes of the past three decades to be the foundation of the excellent treatment and research taking place at Sidney Kimmel today. "In 1973, we helped define the field of oncology," he says. "Today, we are helping to redefine it." www.hopkinsmedicine.org
6. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York City). Each year, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center treats more than 400 different subtypes of cancer. Its disease management program features 16 multidisciplinary cancer teams. Investigators at Sloan-Kettering collaborate with Memorial Hospital physician-scientists in a process known as "translational research" and have initiated and participated in clinical trials to identify more effective cancer therapies. Currently, they are leading more than 400 clinical trials for pediatric and adult cancers.
In 2004, Sloan-Kettering established a doctoral program in cancer biology through its new Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In this program, basic laboratory scientists can earn a PhD and are trained to work in research areas directly relevant to cancer and other human diseases. Sloan-Kettering also offers postgraduate clinical fellowships to train physicians who seek special expertise in a particular type of cancer and postgraduate research fellowships that provide physicians and scientists with advanced laboratory research training. www.mskcc.org
7. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles). The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was rated the "Best in the West" for its 19th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital also includes Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital.
Ronald Reagan UCLA's cutting-edge basic cancer research program allows oncologists access to new clinical trials and increases their "depth of understanding of the diseases being treated," according to John Glaspy, MD, director of the women's cancer program at Ronald Reagan UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, several ongoing collaborations with major cancer centers worldwide extend UCLA's access to research.
"Because it is such an intellectually rich work environment," Dr. Glaspy says, "we have been able to attract and retain the best cancer physicians who are interested in improving the lives of cancer patients and their families as rapidly as possible." www.uclahealth.org
8. University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (San Francisco). The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at Mount Zion is the only center in Northern California to receive the designation of comprehensive from the NCI. It treats all forms of cancer from lung to prostate to AIDS-related cancers. It also offers specialized programs such as the Cancer Risk Program, a genetic counseling service for patients with a family history of cancer.
With new facilities, expanded programs and innovative research, the center ranks first in California and sixth nationwide in NCI research grants and is home to pioneers in research into genetic, cellular and immune system causes and responses to cancer. The UCSF Children's Hospital also provides specialized care for young patients with cancer and blood diseases. www.ucsfhealth.org
9. University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston). The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is part of The University of Texas System and one of the largest cancer centers in the world with more than 25 buildings in the Houston and Central Texas areas. In 2008, a survey from U.S. News and World Report ranked M.D. Anderson as the top hospital in the nation for cancer care. In 2008, M.D. Anderson treated more than 79,000 people with cancer, with approximately 27,000 new patients. In fiscal year 2007, more than 11,500 patients participated in the nation's largest therapeutic clinical research program, which explored novel treatments.
Michael J. Fisch, MD, medical director of M.D. Anderson's Community Clinical Oncology Program Research Base, attributes M.D. Anderson's success to values such as authenticity, compassion, discovery and passion. "People who work here are not just punching the clock," he says. "They really want to achieve the most for each person involved. We want to eliminate cancer whenever that is possible. We are looking for the best imaginable outcome." www.mdanderson.org
10. Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.). The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has been designated by the NCI as a comprehensive cancer center and includes hundreds of faculty and staff who are involved in cancer care, research, outreach and education throughout Vanderbilt University and the Medical Center campus. The center offers a variety of clinics, programs and cancer units and treats both adult and childhood cancers.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer center also offers a variety of support services, ranging from financial counseling to pharmacy services to providing a wig and hat bank for patients. It also has several cancer survivorship programs. The medical center receives more than $150 million in annual research funding and has about 4,000 new cancer patients each year, with more than 65,000 outpatient visits annually. www.mc.vanderbilt.edu
11. University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle). UW Medical Center is an internationally recognized referral and treatment center that offers everything from initial consultation and second opinions to comprehensive treatment, patient support services and follow-up care. In an effort to provide better care and to find a cure for cancer more quickly, the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center created the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
The UW Medical Center and the SCCA treat many types of cancers, including breast cancer, endocrine neoplasia, gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and sarcomas. Other departments address gynecological oncology, neuro-oncology, oncology pain, pediatric oncology and prostate and genitourinary oncology. The UW Medical Center provides services at multiple locations throughout the Puget Sound region. www.uwmedicine.org/Facilities/UWMedicalCenter/