Choosing the best cancer hospital may seem daunting, especially if you’re worried about cost and travel. But don’t let these concerns discourage you from getting the best possible care.
Referrals and recommendations from family, friends, and other trusted sources can help you find a top-rated hospital. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:
Accreditation
A group of professional associations, the Commission on Cancer (CoC), aims to increase life expectancy and quality of life by establishing guidelines, preventing cancer, educating the public, and overseeing the provision of high-quality, all-inclusive healthcare. CoC-accredited facilities must meet or exceed 34 cancer care standards and be evaluated every three years.
A hospital with CoC accreditation will update its cancer registry and add information to the National Cancer Data Base. This system collects, analyzes, and reports clinical outcome information on all types of cancer to identify patterns and trends. This type of data analysis is used to drive national improvements in the delivery of cancer care and to help hospitals understand what is working or not for their patients with certain diseases.
CoC-accredited facilities must also follow best practices for patient navigation, psycho-social support, and survivorship care. They will also have a multidisciplinary team of physicians, including surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, pathologists, and others, to discuss the treatment options with the patient and to coordinate their care as needed.
The FACT accreditation program, developed by the International Society for Cellular Therapy, sets standards for high-quality medical and laboratory practice in cellular therapy. Almost all transplant centers in the United States are accredited by FACT, and many major third-party payers require FACT accreditation for cost reimbursement.
Experience
Whether you’re dealing with a rare or resistant form of cancer, top-rated hospitals and the best cancer hospital in San Diego will use their years of experience to create a plan of treatment that’s unique to your condition. This can include specialized surgery, access to experimental treatments, and more.
For example, the clinic uses its world-renowned physicians and massive network of resources to provide patients with the highest quality of care. Additionally, the facility’s experts specialize in different areas of oncology and work together to treat a wide variety of subtypes of cancers.
Other top-rated hospitals known for their expertise and innovation named the best cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24. This NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center is also home to one of the nation’s most extensive clinical trial programs, allowing it to test cutting-edge therapies before they’re widely available elsewhere.
Another top-rated oncology hospital earned high ratings in seven adult specialties. Its 30-day cancer survival rating after admission and nurse staffing is above average and associated with better patient outcomes. This hospital also offers advanced technologies, such as image-guided radiation therapy and intensity-modulated or shaped-beam radiation. Its extensive list of specialty services includes programs for hospice and pain management.
Specialization
Your oncology team is the cancer specialists you’ll work with at a hospital for cancer or blood disorders. Each one has a specific role in diagnosing and treating your condition. According to Maurie Markman, MD, president of medicine and science at Cancer Therapy Centers of America(r), you want an oncologist with extensive experience treating your specific type of cancer and who has completed a fellowship in your field of diagnosis or therapy.
Ask the doctor how many patients with your type of cancer she’s treated. You may also want to find out how many of those patients have had the same outcome you’re hoping for.
Your oncology team will include medical and support staff. Your oncologist, who oversees your care, is the leading member of this team. Other specialists may be radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, or medical oncologists. Medical oncologists deal with chemotherapy and other drug treatments. Radiation oncologists are experts in treating tumors with radiation while reducing symptoms associated with cancer. Surgical oncologists are surgeons trained in performing certain types of cancer surgery. A hematology oncologist treats blood disorders like leukemia and lymphoma.
Your medical oncologist may also recommend imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasound, C.T. scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You can choose whether to get these diagnostic services, but some hospitals have dedicated cancer radiology centers. These are equipped for imaging to locate the tumor and guide biopsy, vascular access for chemotherapy or other treatment, and single photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography, often combined with C.T. scan, to pinpoint malignancies in skeletal tissues.
Location
Cancer patients from all across the country travel to the best cancer hospitals for advanced treatment and cutting-edge research that can’t be found in their home cities. These hospitals often provide better outcomes and more hope for cancer survivors.
A world-renowned for its skilled physicians and massive network of resources, so it’s no surprise that it ranks highly in cancer care. It has state-of-the-art facilities and offers patients various programs that support family members and patients.
One of the most prominent cancer research and treatment centers in the U.S. has an excellent reputation for clinical knowledge. It is also an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, among the top-tier cancer centers nationwide.
A Hospital in New York City has an excellent 30-day cancer survival rating following admission compared to other hospitals. It also has excellent advanced technologies and patient services, including programs for hospice, pain management, and palliative care.
A leader in personalized medicine. It uses a “bench to bedside” approach, ensuring patients receive the latest medical treatments. Their team of specialists creates a unique plan for each patient using an advanced tumor profiling technique that can detect cancer at its earliest stages.
