A cancer diagnosis for yourself or a loved one can lead to distress, anxiety and a strong emotional reaction. Still, there is good reason to be reassured as modern medicine has made tremendous advances in diagnosing and treating cancers. Your first step should be to prepare a treatment plan, with an oncology specialist you can trust. Get different medical opinions and do your homework on the best cancer treatment centres.
The best Cancer hospitals start with investment in talented medical oncologists, but many other resources go into setting up a comprehensive cancer centre. Many technologically advanced cancer centres differentiate themselves with their cutting-edge treatment options, state-of-the-art facilities, operating rooms, patient-centred services, surgical equipment, advanced radiation oncology technologies, and advanced diagnostic imaging. Beyond the physical infrastructure, the best global cancer centres also invest in groundbreaking research, innovation and clinical trials.
Here is the Medical Travel Market Editorial selection of the best cancer centres worldwide in 2024.
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
Founded in 1884 as New York Cancer Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has consistently ranked among the top two cancer hospitals in the USA by U.S. News & World Report for over three decades. The institution aims to be “the world’s leading authority on cancer” and currently operates a 514-bed inpatient facility and a 72,000 square foot surgical center. The team comprises more than 1,457 attending physicians and over 4,000 nurses, all dedicated to providing exceptional care.
MSK’s medical oncologists are pioneers in developing safer and more effective chemotherapy drugs, while its radiation oncologists are at the forefront of proton therapy, a highly precise radiation treatment. Additionally, MSK conducts one of the world’s largest clinical research programs, with over 1,800 clinical research protocols for both pediatric and adult cancers in 2021, reflecting its commitment to advancing cancer treatment through research and innovation.
2. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, USA
The MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas has ranked in the top two best cancer hospitals in the USA for 31 years and is currently in the No.1 spot. They have delivered ground-breaking research from nanomedicine to neuroimmunology, and provide innovative clinical care, often years before it becomes standard practice. MD Anderson Cancer Center pride themselves on their nurse to patient ratio, which is the highest in the country and their patient support and education programmes. The MD Anderson Cancer Center has some of the largest and most advanced programmes in the USA and features several specialised care centres, including the treatment of rare cancers. Cutting edge technology includes Stem Cell Transplant Research, Laser interstitial thermal therapy, SBRT, SRS, APBI, and Proton Therapy.
3. Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust made history in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, education, and research. Today, it remains a top specialist cancer hospital with a strong research focus and operates out of Chelsea and Sutton regions in London. The Royal Marsden is ranked in the top five cancer centres globally and treats around 60,000 patients annually. Royal Marsden has dedicated treatment units for all cancer types and paediatric speciality services. They provide surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radioisotope therapy, and supportive therapies and training.
4. Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
The Christie is the largest single-site cancer centre in Europe, treating more than 44,000 patients a year. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, the Christie is regarded as ‘pioneer in developing innovative solutions to cancer care’. The NIHR rank them as one of the best hospitals providing access to clinical research studies, especially in surgery, gastroenterology, endocrinology, medical oncology, genetics, imaging, nuclear medicine, palliative care, and specialist nursing. It is also regarded as the most technologically advanced hospital outside of North America, boasting one of largest radiotherapy and chemotherapy centers in the world. The Christie is part of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and works with Cancer Research UK.
5. Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai, India
Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre started small with ten beds in 1997 and has grown to become one of the most respected Centres for Excellence in cancer care, sporting 323 beds, a large ICU, 12 advanced operating theatres, 300 specialist consultants and a staff of 1800. Their motto “more than health care, human care” is based on their belief in ‘Sarvetra Sukhinah: Santu, Sarve Santu Niramaya’ which translates to ‘Let all be blissful, let all stay healthy’. They have developed a unique and comprehensive cancer care programme that follows a trans-disciplinary and multi-modality approach whilst implementing the latest advancements. The hospital caters for adult and paediatric cancer patients. It operates a highly specialised Cancer program with sub-specialist resources in radiation oncology, specialised oncology surgery and Bone Marrow Transplant services, Medical Oncology and Haematology.
6. Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore
Mount Elizabeth prides itself as a Centre for Excellence in cancer care, with an integrated network of specialists in medical, surgical, radiation, haematological, and paediatric oncology that work in close collaboration with the skilled nursing teams, and counsellors. They provide a holistic care environment to ensure positive outcomes for their patients, starting with screening and prevention and employing the latest cutting-edge technology and treatment protocols. Providing a broad range of diagnostic tests, surgery and advanced chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the Mount Elizabeth provides comprehensive and often concurrent care.
7. Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, Malaysia
A single-discipline cancer hospital, Mount Miriam is not-for-profit and follows the Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood’s global mission. They strive to provide high quality, compassionate care with respect and dignity. Technologically advanced with highly skilled oncologists and specialists, they provide Diagnostic Imaging, Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery, Tomotherapy, MRT, Brachytherapy, 3D Conformal, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Support Services and Clinical Pastoral care. The advanced Cyberknife technology is a precise, painless, and non-invasive radiation treatment that gives many patients new hope, as it can treat lesions that may have been considered inoperable.
8. Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
The Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in Madrid has over 500 highly specialised professionals searching for the origins and cures for different cancers and focuses on applied research to transfer scientific knowledge as quickly as possible into clinical practice. They pride themselves on attracting young and talented researchers, the number of research papers published and giving rise to new biotechnology ventures. With programs in human cancer genetics, molecular oncology, and experimental therapeutics, they can provide patients with some of the most advanced cancer treatments available. Technological advances include research in paediatric tumour treatments, advanced histopathology processing, experimental therapeutics, structural biology and biocomputing, cytogenetics and DNA sequencing.
9. Samsung Medical Center, South Korea
With several Institutes and Centres, a Research Institute for Future Medicine, a focus on precision medicine, research and collaboration, several training facilities, and modern facilities, the Samsung Medical Center is fast becoming one of the world’s best cancer treatment centres. They have around 2000 beds and employ over 1400 doctors, 200 researchers, 3700 pharmacists and medical engineers. State of the art facilities and the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies are available for innovative research and patient treatments. Focusing on ‘happy innovation’, the Samsung Medical Center has won first place in the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) 14 times, first place in the Korean Customer Satisfaction Index (KCSI) 16 times, first place in the Korean Standard – Service Quality Index (KS-SQI) 12 times consecutively, and has been selected as the top medical centre in the hospital sector in Brand Star 12 times consecutively.
10. Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
One of the largest university hospitals in Europe, the Charité delivers research, teaching and clinical care of the highest professional standard and is internationally renowned. The medical faculty and hospital extends over four campuses, nearly 100 departments, 17 Centres, and employs 18700 people, 4500 of whom are doctors and researchers. They proudly lay claim to producing over half of the German Nobel Prize winners in Physiology or Medicine, including Robert Koch, Emil von Behring, and Paul Ehrlich, as well as a 300-year history. They treat common and rare diseases, and the combination of research, innovative care and teaching ensures positive outcomes. Centres include the Berlin Center for Rare Diseases, Immunodeficiency Center, Skin Cancer Center, European Competence Center for Ovarian Cancer, Interdisciplinary Intestinal Tumour Center, and the Interdisciplinary Prostate Cancer Center.
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