The 50 Best Cancer Hospitals in America
Updated: Jun. 30, 2022
From world-class physicians to state-of-the-art facilities and the latest treatment, these are the best cancer hospitals and centers in the country based on data collected by U.S. News and World Report.
1. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Specialization is the name of the game at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which houses a variety of cancer-specific centers within its state-of-the-art facility. For example, there’s the Colorectal Center, where doctors use minimally invasive treatment techniques for patients with colon, rectal, and anal cancers. And then there’s the Lyda Hill Cancer Prevention Center, the Undiagnosed Gynecology Clinic, and the Pain Management Center. These centers offer specialized care for the many types of cancer.
2. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Ranked as the number two cancer hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center, having been around since 1884. It’s an extensive operation consisting of more than 120 research laboratories and 38 different facilities, all of which are connected by a free shuttle. Memorial Sloan-Kettering is a top treater of the most common types of cancer in the United States.
3. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
The Mayo Clinic is world renowned for its highly skilled physicians and a massive network of resources and research. So it’s no surprise that it ranks highly for cancer care too. With state-of-the-art facilities and some of the newest technology in the field, the hospital also has the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, where some of the best pediatric oncologists specialize in treating cancer in children and teenagers.
4. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins has long been one of the best of the best when it comes to hospitals. And their Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center lives up to that reputation as well. As a teaching hospital with massive research facilities, the center offers the latest therapies, drug developments, and findings (like these genius cancer breakthroughs) to its patients, along with its Cancer Counseling Center to help guide friends and families.
5. Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, Boston
They don’t call it the “Dana-Farber difference” for nothing. Here at the Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, it’s all about specializing—each patient starts by seeing a doctor who is an expert in his or her particular type of cancer. That doctor then works with a care team to create a treatment plan that’s customized to the patient’s diagnosis, which can often involve access to some of the most groundbreaking clinical trials in the country.
6. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland
It isn’t just the 377,000-square-foot facility complete with nearly 100 treatment rooms that make the Taussig Cancer Institute so impressive. It’s also the center’s internationally acclaimed cancer research that’s made important developments in the quest for a cure in fields such as genomics and blood and marrow transplant.
7. UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, Pittsburgh
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is the only comprehensive cancer center in the Pennsylvania region and specializes in 14 different types of cancer. One of its highlights is the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers where patients receive some of the most personalized treatment available. For example, they will be able to advise patients on exactly what to eat (and not eat) while doing chemo.
8. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa
Besides providing excellent treatment, the focus at the Moffitt Cancer Center is supporting both patients and their loved ones. This approach involves plenty of support services (such as counseling, support groups, and even integrative medicine) for everyone involved in the treatment process along with an array of amenities for visitors to make the experience more comfortable and less stressful. One thing they might learn: Myths about what cancer is and what causes cancer.
8. Massachusetts General, Boston
For over 20 years, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center has set the precedent for cancer care in the United States—it’s even part of the country’s largest cancer research collaborations. This means that it has access to a nationwide network of some of the world’s top oncologists, the newest treatment plans, and outside expert consultations. Here are 15 things that some of those experts do to prevent cancer themselves.
10. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
If you’re looking for some of the highest quality cancer care in the world, look no further than the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern in Chicago. The center, which is one of the founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (28 of the world’s best cancer facilities), literally writes the book on providing top-notch care: Their team helps come up with the NCCN patient guidelines and standards.
11. City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
Research is the name of the game at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. There, a team of world-class scientists studies all aspects of preventing and treating cancer from testing experimental therapies to improving early detection. One thing research has found? That this one diet could stop cancer from spreading.
12. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
No matter what your diagnosis, the experts and facilities at the Samuel Oschin Cancer Center are well-equipped to provide the care you need. With everything from hematology and chemotherapy infusion clinics to a prostate center to a radiation oncology area, the hospital has the resources and knowledge to treat over 60 types of cancer.
12. UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco
Dedicated to improving early detection and quality of life for patients, the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center has also long been a leader in cancer research, including that of two Nobel Prize-winning scientists. The center is spread across five different campuses in the San Francisco area. Wondering how exactly to detect cancer in yourself? Take a look at these 30 symptoms you definitely shouldn’t ignore.
14. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo
As the first medical center in the world dedicated solely to treating cancer (it was founded in 1898), the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center specializes in a wide range of cancer types, from leukemia to colon cancer to breast cancer. They’re also part of an elite international network of the top cancer centers and have a robust research program.
15. Seattle Cancer Alliance/University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle
Ranked as one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation for adult cancer treatment, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is stacked with expert oncologists, advanced technologies, and a bone marrow transplant program that most recently was nationally recognized for beating expected survival rates. Another innovative offering is the SCCA Mammogram Van that travels around the state to bring the service directly to patients. Learn the 7 important questions to ask at your next mammogram.
16. University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
Battling cancer is far from easy, but at the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, the process is a lot more comfortable thanks to its dedication to compassionate care. The doctors and nurses there use a “bench to bedside” approach which bridges the gap between research and clinical practice so patients receive access to the latest treatment and technology. They’re likely to catch the 7 cancers that are notoriously hard to detect.
17. Siteman Cancer Center, Saint Louis
As a patient at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, you’ll get more than just access to some of the nation’s top surgeons who are skilled at minimally invasive surgeries and therapies. You’ll also have access to its impressive network of other cancer centers and experts that Siteman collaborates with, giving you the optimal chance at full remission.
18. Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia
If there’s one thing that the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania does best, it’s immunotherapy. In fact, researchers at the Philadelphia hospital were the ones to develop the popular CAR T-cell therapy, which was the first immunotherapy treatment to be approved by the FDA. It essentially uses your healthy cells to destroy the cancer cells. Here’s exactly how CAR T-cell therapy works (and whether it’s right for you).
19. NYU Langone Hospitals, New York
Whether you need a cancer screening or are seeking treatment such as radiation or oncologic surgery following diagnosis, the Perlmutter Cancer Center has a variety of services that are all top notch. They also offer immunotherapy to boost your body’s immune system and is often used in conjunction with other treatments to improve a patient’s health and wellbeing.
20. Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital, Columbus
What makes The James so great at what they do? A technique that is known as precision medicine. It’s a targeted approach that treats a cancer patient based on their genes, medical history, and even environmental factors. While The James is particularly skilled at using it for immunotherapy, precision medicine is also one of these anti-aging breakthroughs that are helping people live longer.
21. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
One of the specialties at Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is skin cancer, including prevention, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation. The center has both inpatient and outpatient services, which include bone marrow biopsies, transfusion, and chemotherapy, all under one roof. Want more info on skin cancer? Check out these silent signs of skin cancer you’re probably ignoring or this list of the biggest myths you likely believe about the disease.
22. USC Norris Cancer Hospital-Keck Medical Center of USC, Los Angeles
There’s no case too rare or too complex for the team at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. A focus on research and an interdisciplinary approach are the foundation of the center’s specialty in treating even the most difficult of diagnoses.
23. Jefferson Health-Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia
While patients can receive some of the best cancer care in the state at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, they’ll also have access to a network of some of the region’s top doctors, so they can get the treatment and support they need closer to home. Bonus: Their research program is nationally known for important breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of the disease.
24. Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center, Boston
The Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is perhaps best known for its “Standard of Care,” which goes above and beyond what you might find at other hospitals. The center is committed to providing care that’s tailored specifically to each individual patient and is currently conducting a first-of-its-kind study on personalized cancer vaccines. Did you know that millions more people can now benefit from this anti-cancer vaccine?
25. Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, Stanford
The Stanford Cancer Center is so highly ranked on the list of the nation’s best cancer hospitals not only because of its vast research department or skilled physicians but because it has 13 different specialized tumor boards. What are those? Essentially a tumor board is when multidisciplinary specialists get together to create a custom treatment plan for each patient so you are getting the most knowledgeable and personal care.
26. University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville
Recently honored on the “100 Great Oncology Programs” list by Becker’s Hospital Review, the UVA Cancer Center is known for innovative treatment and a commitment to research. Their stem cell transplant program is especially high ranking, earning the top accreditation in the country for treating patients with high-risk blood disorders. Speaking of which, here’s why everyone should know their blood type.
27. University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill
Besides providing excellent treatment, the focus at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is supporting both the patients and their families and loved ones. This approach involves plenty of support services (such as counseling, support groups, and even integrative medicine) for everyone involved in the treatment process along with an array of amenities for visitors to make the experience more comfortable and less stressful.
28. UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento
The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center sees over 10,000 patients each year, which is important for patients because higher volume has been proven to lead to better outcomes overall (read: a higher success rate). It also has the region’s only National Marrow Donor Program Transplant Center. Want to lower your risk of getting cancer? Try these 30 everyday tricks to prevent the deadly disease.
29. New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, New York
Home to two of the country’s top cancer centers (Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center), New York-Presbyterian provides an interdisciplinary approach to treating patients. And with over 500 clinical trials each year, you’ll be eligible for some of the most cutting-edge treatment and technology in the hands of highly skilled physicians.
30. University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland
One of only 12 National Cancer Institute-designated freestanding cancer centers, the UH Seidman Cancer Center is on the forefront of cancer research and technology. For example, it’s the first cancer hospital in the United States to offer a PET/MRI machine, which is a hybrid scanner that allows doctors to better diagnose and treat each patient’s specific disease.
31. University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago
The UC Comprehensive Cancer Center has long been a leader in cancer research, with over 200 scientists and physicians dedicated to discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose, and cure the deadly disease. The center is also one of the lead sites for the Clinical Trials Network, offering over 300 different trials in everything from immunotherapy to the latest drugs and enrolling over 1,000 patients each year.
32. MUSC Health-University Medical Center, Charleston
The team at Hollings Cancer Center is made up of over 60 sub-specialists who have expertise in different disciplines. That means that no matter what a patient’s diagnosis, the Hollings Cancer Center will have a highly skilled doctor to develop a personalized plan for him or her. Some of MUSC’s best-performing specialties (which have won awards) include the Jenny Sullivan Sanford Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program and the Blood & Marrow Transplant Program.
33. University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Lexington
The Markey Cancer Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating its patients. That means you’ll work with not just one doctor, but a whole team of highly trained specialists from all different disciplines, including nurses, oncologists, therapists, and even a dietitian (who will likely recommend some of these 30 top cancer-fighting foods).
34. University of Michigan Hospitals-Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center recognizes that medical treatment is just one small part of the cancer journey. That’s why they have such a robust Patient & Family Support Services Program that’s included in every patient’s plan. Designed to help both patients and their families navigate what can be a very difficult process from start to finish, the program helps create strategies for coping with potential stresses, whether it’s supporting someone in chemo or finding lodging during treatment.
35. Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
According to its website, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center “has begun changing forever the way cancer is diagnosed and treated.” How? By using some of the most advanced diagnostic tools and technologies to pinpoint both the source of a patient’s cancer and which combination of therapies and other procedures will most likely result in success.
36. Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston
Innovative and advanced are the best words to describe the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Not only does it have the largest clinical genetics program in the Baylor Clinic but it’s part of the Cancer Genome Atlas Project, which is a nine-year study focused on identifying cancer-causing genes. If you’re considering genetic testing, here’s everything you need to know.
37. Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx
When it comes to the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, patients appreciate the range of cutting-edge treatment and therapy options available to them there. The center is the only one in the Northeast that offers a full spread of regional therapies that aim to reduce radiation exposure. Watch out for these 15 things in your home that could cause cancer.
37. University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora
One of the main selling points of the cancer center at the University of Colorado is its phenomenal rehabilitation program. Led by a team of medical experts, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, the program provides patients with a customized exercise plan to help them regain strength and balance, and even improve speech.
39. Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston
The mission of the Cancer Center at Houston Methodist Hospital says it all: “to bring the latest cancer treatments and therapies to patients as quickly as possible.” You can choose from one of the center’s nine specialty programs (including a breast cancer clinic and tumor treatment center), where you’ll receive a highly customized treatment plan from an interdisciplinary team.
40. Duke University Hospital, Durham
Patient care is of the utmost importance at Duke Cancer Center, which is part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of top hospitals that are focused on providing the highest quality care. The center’s physicians and oncologists, who specialize in a range of cancer types, focus on treating the entire person, not just the disease.
41. Emory University Hospital, Atlanta
With over 700 patients enrolled in clinical trials in 2017, the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, which specializes in surgical and gynecologic oncology along with hematology, is at the forefront of cancer research. It’s also one of only 30 sites in the United States to be chosen to participate in the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network.
42. UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville
UF Health Shands offers more than just state-of-the-art facilities, a bone marrow transplant outpatient clinic, and incredibly skilled physicians, oncologists, and nurses. It also houses the very unique Criser Cancer Resource Center, a space where both patients and their families can go for services from education to therapy to wellness classes and art workshops.
43. Mayo Clinic-Phoenix, Phoenix
A satellite location of the world-famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the Phoenix campus houses one of Mayo’s National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers. Patients and their families have access to an array of cancer education services taught by oncologists, nurses, and other specialists to help guide them through the difficult process from start to finish. If you’re a friend or family member of someone with cancer, here are 10 ways to support them.
43. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City
When it comes to prostate cancer, UI’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is on the cutting edge of research and treatment. Not only was it the first hospital in Iowa to participate in a large-scale prostate cancer clinical trial and the first to use robotic surgery to remove cancerous prostates, but it was the first in the United States to test a vaccine specifically for preventing prostate cancer. Until the vaccine is available to the public, here are 8 other ways to prevent prostate cancer.
45. Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, New Haven
Two words: personalized medicine. That’s what patients can expect at the Smilow Cancer Hospital, where oncologists work together to tailor treatment to individual needs and diagnoses. This is done using an advanced tumor profiling technique that lets doctors analyze each patient’s cancer at a deeper level.
46. OHSU Hospital, Portland
The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s motto says it all: “We won’t rest until cancer is defeated.” And one of its most impressive accomplishments towards reaching that goal: When it raised $1 billion for cancer research specifically in the field of early detection, where it proposed the first large-scale plans of its kind to develop better methods for finding cancer sooner.
47. University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City
From the on-site resource center (think of it as a library filled with everything you need to know about any type of cancer) to a personalized cancer guide for each patient, the KU Cancer Center is dedicated to empowering patients and their families. The hospital also contains the Women’s Cancer Center specifically for diagnosing and treating breast and gynecologic cancers.
48. OU Medical Center, Oklahoma City
At the Stephenson Cancer Center, patients come first, always. Every nurse, physician, and staff member is committed to providing compassionate care and a comfortable, supportive environment for both patients and their loved ones. If you have to be in the hospital for an extended period of time, try these 12 insider tips to improve your stay.
48. University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Madison
Consisting of both the Carbone Cancer Center and the designated Breast Center, UW is home to the first cancer research center in the United States to be founded by a university back in 1938. Since then, it’s also become the only comprehensive cancer center as designated by the National Cancer Institute.
50. University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis
In Minnesota, cancer patients can receive top-of-the-line care with a visit to the Masonic Cancer Center, which has been designated “outstanding” by the National Cancer Institute. There, a team of physicians works with each person to develop a completely personalized treatment plan based on his or her health history and individual diagnosis.
