“Best Hospitals” cancer-care rank: 18
“Best Hospitals” cancer-care score: 63.4/100
Founded: 1971
Beds: 813
Clinicians/researchers: 300
Doctors
Research focus:
Cancer genetics and stem cells.
Clinic at-a-glance:
U.S. News & World Report gives its highest grade to Duke Cancer Institute for use of advanced technologies, nurse-to-patient ratio, and key services to patients; and its second-highest grade for longer-than-expected survival. Duke is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that provides care specialized according to cancer type. This is a major research institute, meaning it conducts a large variety of investigations on an ongoing basis. Cancers affecting the lung region are studied by scientists assigned to the Thoracic Oncology Research Program – a multidisciplinary effort that relies on basic, translational and clinical research to unlock the secrets behind cancer development and growth — oncogenesis and tumor progression. Duke researchers believe there may be a role played by stem cells in oncogenesis as well as in enabling the body to resist cancer formation. Both angles are being closely examined. Other members of the research faculty spend their time in the lab considering how unique genetic mutations detected in each cancer patient might be used to tailor treatment to the individual and so achieve better results from therapy.
