Why Choose UChicago Medicine for Cancer Care

When you come to the University of Chicago Medicine for cancer treatment, you get something you simply can’t get anywhere else in Chicago, or even the country: access.

Access to hundreds of clinical trials and treatments that most hospitals are still years away from having.

Access to more than 200 cancer specialists, many who are national or global experts, stay on top of the latest research, and don’t shy away from complex or difficult cases.

And access to one of the nation’s top cancer care centers, where the highest standards are upheld for patient care, safety and research, as proven by our numerous accreditations and recognitions.

Highest National Designation

An official cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the highest federal rating a cancer center can achieve. It’s the gold standard for cancer programs and is bestowed upon the nation’s top cancer centers in recognition of their innovative research, leading-edge treatments, and education and outreach. The University of Chicago Medicine has been home to such a designated center since 1973. We are one of only two institutions in the state of Illinois — and 58 in the country — to be recognized as an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center.

National Leadership in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials can be a game-changer for cancer patients. They open doors standard treatment can’t. UChicago Medicine is a national leader in this space, because we not only enroll patients in these clinical trials; we help design them. We’re also part of an exclusive group that contributes to the National Clinical Trials Network as a Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) and host of the NRD Oncology Statistics Data and Management Center. These prestigious roles speak to our scientific leadership to develop trials that have a significant impact on treatment and the infrastructure to effectively recruit participants to clinical trials.

Setting the Standards of Care

Our cancer experts contribute their knowledge to guidelines that shape cancer care around the world. As part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), UChicago Medicine plays a role in ensuring that doctors and patients make decisions based on the latest evidence and expert consensus. This leads to better treatment choices, more consistent care across hospitals and clinics, and improved outcomes for people facing cancer.

Patient-Centered, High-Quality Cancer Care

Every day, thousands of patients and families place their trust in us during some of the most important moments of their lives. Earning and keeping that trust through exceptional care is our highest priority. Our cancer programs strive for excellence in delivering high-quality cancer care that improves survival and quality of life for our patients. As a result, we hold accreditation and certification from two leading organizations: the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®).

Other important accreditations and recognitions include:

• Breast cancer
  • National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) through the American College of Surgeons.
• Lung cancer
  • Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology
  • GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence
• Blood cancers
  • Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).
  • Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB)
  • Blue Distinction Center for Cellular Immunotherapy by Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MDS Foundation as a MDS Center of Excellence
• Radiation oncology
  • Accreditation Program for Excellence® (APEx) through the American Society of Radiation Oncology
• Cancer surgery
  • Surgical Quality Partner of the American College of Surgeons
• Nuclear medicine
  • Comprehensive Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Center of Excellence designation from the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)
• Lymphedema
  • Comprehensive Center of Excellence by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network
• Cardio-oncology
  • International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) Center of Excellence Gold Status