Cancer Hospitals In The Us: A Comprehensive Count

how many cancer hospitals in the us

There are many cancer hospitals in the US, and several institutions rank and rate these hospitals based on various criteria. Sources such as Newsweek, US News, and Statista R publish rankings of the best cancer hospitals in the US. These rankings are based on criteria such as patient experience, hospital quality metrics, medical expert recommendations, patient satisfaction data, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). While the exact number of cancer hospitals in the US is unclear, these rankings provide insight into the top-performing institutions in cancer care and treatment.

Characteristics Values
Number of cancer hospitals in the US 886 cancer hospitals evaluated by US News
Number of top cancer hospitals in the US 50 top cancer hospitals according to US News
Number of cancer hospitals considered in America's Best Cancer Hospitals 2023 by Newsweek 200
Number of cancer hospitals considered in America's Best Cancer Hospitals 2024 by Newsweek 200
Number of cancer hospitals considered in America's Best Cancer Hospitals (year not specified) by Statista 200
Top cancer hospital in the US MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
Cancer hospital with the most number of specialties Mayo Clinic-Rochester in Rochester, Minnesota (13 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties)
Cancer hospitals with the second-most number of specialties Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts (14 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty)
Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, New York (12 adult specialties and 3 pediatric specialties)
Cancer hospitals with the third-most number of specialties Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California (11 adult specialties)
Cancer hospitals with the fourth-most number of specialties City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California (2 adult specialties)
Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts (1 adult specialty and 1 pediatric specialty)
Top cancer hospital in the 2024-25 US News Best Hospitals for Cancer rankings Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia (10th place)

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Ranking criteria

The ranking criteria for cancer hospitals in the US involve various factors and methodologies. Newsweek and Statista, for instance, use a scoring model based on four pillars: hospital recommendations from medical experts, hospital quality metrics, patient experience data, and the voluntary Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) implementation survey. The PROMs are standardised questionnaires that assess patients' perception of their functional well-being and quality of life related to their care experience.

In the 2023 rankings, the scoring was calculated based on four categories: peers' recommendations (40%), hospital quality metrics (41.5%), patient experience (15%), and PROMs (3.5%). The patient experience score was determined through surveys covering topics such as hospital cleanliness, communication of nurses and doctors, care transition, discharge information, and staff responsiveness. Hospital quality metrics included data on infection prevention, timely care, cancer outcomes, screening rates, and patient satisfaction from sources like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

US News also ranks cancer hospitals in the US, evaluating factors such as patient experience, staffing, and patient outcomes. They assessed nearly 886 hospitals and ranked the top 50 for treating various cancers. They also provide rankings for specific treatments, such as colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, and leukemia treatment. Additionally, they recognise hospitals designated as Cancer Care Centers by the National Cancer Institute.

The ranking criteria help patients and their families make informed decisions about their cancer care, considering not only the quality of medical treatment but also the overall patient experience and perceived well-being. These rankings also encourage hospitals to continuously improve their services and patient care.

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Best cancer hospitals

The United States is home to several top-ranked cancer hospitals and cancer centres. The ranking of these hospitals is based on a nationwide online survey of healthcare professionals, quality of care metrics, patient satisfaction data, and a Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) implementation survey.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York City has been recognised as the best cancer centre in the Northeast, the second-best hospital for cancer care in the nation, and the top hospital for urology care by US News & World Report. MSK offers treatments and services at locations across New York and New Jersey, as well as telemedicine options. The centre provides immunotherapy, surgery, and integrative medicine, with doctors and scientists working together to provide patients with cutting-edge treatments.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, is another highly regarded cancer hospital. It has been named one of the top two hospitals in cancer care every year since US News & World Report began its annual "America's Best Hospitals" rankings in 1990. MD Anderson has more nurses per patient than many other hospitals in the country, allowing for personalised attention and quality care. The centre is also known for its use of front-line diagnostic technology, enabling physicians to tailor treatments for optimal outcomes.

Other notable cancer hospitals in the US include:

  • Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts, ranked in 1 adult specialty and 1 pediatric specialty.
  • Mayo Clinic-Rochester in Rochester, Minnesota, ranked in 13 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, ranked in 14 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty.
  • Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, New York, ranked in 12 adult specialties and 3 pediatric specialties.
  • Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California, ranked in 11 adult specialties.
  • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California, ranked in 2 adult specialties.

Additionally, there are 73 NCI-Designated Cancer Centres located across 37 states and the District of Columbia, delivering cutting-edge cancer treatments and contributing significantly to cancer research. These centres are recognised for their scientific leadership and innovative approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

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Patient experience

The patient experience is a critical factor in ranking cancer hospitals in the United States. Various organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, Statista, and Newsweek, conduct surveys and evaluations to assess the quality of patient care and experience in cancer hospitals. These evaluations consider a range of factors that contribute to the overall patient experience.

One of the key aspects of the patient experience is the availability of cutting-edge cancer treatments. NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, for example, are recognized for delivering advanced treatments that have increased the number of cancer survivors and improved patients' quality of life. These centers are located in 37 states and the District of Columbia, providing community-specific programs and services.

Patient surveys play a crucial role in understanding the patient experience. Surveys cover various topics, including the cleanliness of the hospital, communication with nurses and doctors, care transition, medication information, quietness, and staff responsiveness. These surveys provide valuable insights into how patients perceive their care and well-being during their hospitalization.

In addition to patient surveys, medical professionals' recommendations and ratings are also considered. They are asked to rate hospitals on factors such as nurse staffing, technical equipment, patient education, counselling, and supportive and palliative care. The overall reputation score, based on these ratings, carries significant weight in the evaluation process.

Another important aspect of the patient experience is the quality of hospital care. This includes indicators such as infection prevention, timely and effective treatment, cancer outcomes, breast cancer screening, and patient satisfaction. Hospitals that meet specific thresholds, such as COVID-19 vaccination rates for staff, are also considered. Independent accreditations and certifications in palliative care are further testaments to the quality of care provided by these hospitals.

The patient experience is not just limited to medical care but also extends to the support and social work programs offered by the hospitals. The availability of psycho-oncological services and supportive care services can significantly impact a patient's overall experience and well-being during cancer treatment. These rankings and evaluations help patients and their families make informed decisions about their cancer care and provide valuable insights into the quality of cancer treatment across the United States.

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Cancer treatment types

Cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. The type of treatment received depends on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, and the patient's overall health. Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer that hasn't spread and is the most effective for sending cancer into remission. However, it may not be a safe option for tumours embedded in vital organs or tangled in major blood vessels. Radiation therapy, another common treatment, uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous tumours and can be given externally, internally, or intraoperatively. Chemotherapy, or "chemo," uses drugs to kill cancer cells, which travel through the bloodstream to destroy fast-growing cells. It is often given in combination with other treatments and is very effective for cancer that has spread or is likely to recur.

Hormone therapy is used to slow or stop the growth of breast and prostate cancers that rely on hormones to grow. Immunotherapy helps the immune system fight cancer, while targeted therapy treats the changes in cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread. Hyperthermia is a treatment that heats body tissue to damage and kill cancer cells, and photodynamic therapy uses light-activated drugs to kill cancer and abnormal cells. Stem cell transplants restore blood-forming stem cells in people who have had theirs destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Precision medicine is a treatment approach that offers specific care plans based on a person's genes, proteins, and other substances in their body. Drug treatments, also known as systemic treatments, can affect the entire body, while local treatments focus on a specific tumour or area. Complementary and integrative treatments are used alongside standard treatments to manage cancer-related symptoms. The goal of cancer treatment is to stop or slow the progression of the disease, and in some cases, to eliminate it.

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Cancer research centres

One notable example is the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, headquartered in Duarte, California. City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centre, recognised for its leadership in cancer care and innovative treatments. With locations across the US, City of Hope offers a unique approach to cancer treatment, integrating scientific rigour with traditional Eastern medicines and supportive care therapies. Its collaborative infrastructure brings scientists, treatment staff, and manufacturing facilities together, accelerating the translation of research advancements into life-saving patient care.

The NCI Cancer Centres Program, established under the National Cancer Act of 1971, is a cornerstone of the nation's cancer research efforts. There are currently 73 NCI-designated cancer centres spread across 37 states and the District of Columbia. These centres are distinguished for their transdisciplinary research excellence and their commitment to developing improved methods for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Of these 73 institutions, 9 are Clinical Cancer Centres, 57 are Comprehensive Cancer Centres, and 7 are Basic Laboratory Cancer Centres.

NCI-designated cancer centres are at the forefront of scientific leadership in laboratory and clinical research. They actively pursue hundreds of research studies, ranging from basic laboratory investigations to clinical trials of new treatments. Many of these studies are collaborative endeavours, involving multiple cancer centres and partners from industry and the community. The rapid pace of discovery and improved treatments pioneered by these centres has led to a significant increase in cancer survivor rates and enhanced patient quality of life.

Some other prominent NCI-designated cancer centres in the US include:

  • Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, with facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as Florida and Minnesota.
  • Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Frequently asked questions

There are 57 hospitals that have received the official "Comprehensive Cancer Center" designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). However, US News evaluated nearly 886 hospitals for cancer treatment and ranked the top 50.

Here is a list of some of the top cancer hospitals in the US:

- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

- Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA

- Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Rochester, MN

- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

- Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY

- Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, CA

- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA

- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY

Rankings are based on various criteria, including patient experience, patient surveys, hospital quality metrics, staffing, patient outcomes, and peer recommendations from medical experts.

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