Ask the Doctor: What does it mean when a Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

What does it mean when a Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center?

When you or someone close to you is navigating a cancer diagnosis, choosing where to receive care can feel overwhelming. You may see or hear the term National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, but what does that mean and why does it matter? Malini M. Patel, MD, member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, Director of Medical Oncology, the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center,shares the facts.

"The designation comes from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health," says Dr. Patel. "NCI recognition may be one of the highest honors a cancer center can achieve in the United States. It signals that the center meets rigorous standards in cancer research, treatment, prevention and education."

FACT: A Commitment to Leading-Edge Research

To earn the "comprehensive" designation, a cancer center must demonstrate excellence across several areas of scientific research. These include laboratory research that explores how cancer develops, clinical research that studies new treatments in patients and population-based research that focuses on cancer prevention and outcomes in communities.

"Physicians and scientists at these centers work together to translate discoveries from the laboratory into new therapies for patients," adds Dr. Patel. "This collaboration helps ensure that the most promising ideas move efficiently from research to real-world care."

FACT: Access to Innovative Treatments and Clinical Trials

One major advantage of receiving treatment at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is access to a wide range of clinical trials. These research studies evaluate new drugs, therapies, and approaches to care that may not yet be available elsewhere.

Clinical trials can offer patients the opportunity to receive promising treatments while contributing to advances that may help future patients. Not every patient will need or quality for a clinical trial but having access to these options expand the possibilities for personalized care.

FACT: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care

While NCI designation reflects the highest standards in cancer care and treatment, it is a multidisciplinary, team-based approach that truly shapes the patient experience. The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton brings together a coordinated team of experts that includes medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, nurse navigators, genetic counselors, nutritionists, social workers and supportive care experts working together to develop a personalized care plan for each patient. "We treat many types of cancer and bring together a team of experts who collaborate closely with each patient to develop a personalized, comprehensive plan of care and help patients and their families navigate every step of their cancer journey," adds Dr. Patel.

"Another goal is to provide coordinated care that addresses not only the cancer itself but also the patient's overall health, wellbeing and quality of life," shares Dr. Patel. The RWJUH Hamilton Holistic Healing Program at the cancer center provides programs and services to patients and their families to support the mind, body and spirit, including art and music therapy, massage, Reiki, meditation, spiritual care, salon services, pet therapy, healing gardens and more. Learn more online at rwjbh.org/hamiltonholistic

FACT: What it Means for Patients

With over 1,500 cancer centers in the United States, only a select few - less than 60 - are comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is a designation reserved for cancer centers who offer an added level of expertise, research involvement, and innovation. "For cancer patients, this designation can provide reassurance that the center is meeting the nation's highest standards for cancer care, scientific research and leadership, prevention and education, and are successful in completing a rigorous review process every 5 years," said Dr. Patel.

FACT: New Jersey's ONLY NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

New Jersey's ONLY NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute together with RWJBarnabas Health provide patients access to the most advanced cancer treatment options including complex surgical procedures, immunotherapy, precision medicine, bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and clinical trials - many of which are not available at other facilities across the state. The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton is located at 2575 Klockner Road, Hamilton Township, NJ, 08690.

Learn more at rwjbh.org

To schedule an appointment with one of our cancer specialists, please call (844) CANCERNJ or (844) 226-2376.