For information on clinical trials at this NCCN Member Institution click here.

Celebrating more than six decades of Making Cancer History®, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is located in Houston, Texas, on the sprawling campus of the Texas Medical Center. It is one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.

The Texas Legislature created M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1941 as a component of The University of Texas System. M. D. Anderson is one of the nation's original three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of 39 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers today.

M. D. Anderson has ranked among the nation's top two cancer hospitals in U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" survey since the survey’s inception in 1990. M. D. Anderson has ranked No. 1 five times in the past eight years, including 2007.

Patient Care

Since 1944, nearly 700,000 patients have turned to M. D. Anderson for cancer care in the form of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these and other treatments. This multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer was pioneered at M. D. Anderson. Because they focus only on cancer, experts here are renowned for their ability to treat all types of cancer, including rare or uncommon diseases.

In 2008, more than 83,500 people with cancer will receive care at M. D. Anderson, and about 27,000 of them will be new patients. About one-third of these patients come from outside Texas seeking the knowledge-based care that has made M. D. Anderson so widely respected. More than 11,000 patients participated in clinical research exploring novel therapies and diagnostic tests in 2006, making it the largest such program in the nation.

M. D. Anderson holds accreditation from the Joint Commission. In 2006, M. D. Anderson was awarded Magnet Nursing Services Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor first received in 2001.

Research

At M. D. Anderson, important scientific knowledge gained in the laboratory is rapidly translated into clinical care. In 2005, the institution invested more than $410 million in research, an increase of about 95 percent in the past five years. M. D. Anderson ranks first in the number of grants awarded and total amount of grants given by the NCI. M. D. Anderson holds 10 NCI Specialized Programs of Research Excellence grants: bladder, breast, head and neck, leukemia, lung, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, uterine. The research program is considered one of the most productive efforts in the world aimed solely at cancer.

In September 2005, M. D. Anderson unveiled plans for the Red and Charline McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer. The most aggressive expansion of research in M. D. Anderson’s history, the institute comprises six unique centers focused on genomics, proteomics, screening, diagnostic imaging and drug development. Located on the 116-acre University of Texas Research Park about 1.5 miles south of the main campus, the McCombs Institute will house about 25 percent of M. D. Anderson’s research activities.

Education

Each year, more than 4,300 students take part in educational programs, which include physicians, scientists, nurses and many health professionals. M. D. Anderson offers bachelor's degrees in seven allied health disciplines.

In addition, more than 1,000 clinical residents and fellows come to M. D. Anderson each year to receive specialized training in the investigation and treatment of cancer. More than 500 graduate students are working on advanced degrees at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, which M. D. Anderson operates jointly with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. More than 1,300 research fellows are being trained in M. D. Anderson's laboratories and clinics.Thousands more participate in continuing education and distance learning opportunities sponsored by M. D. Anderson, sharing knowledge around the globe. M. D. Anderson provides public education programs to teach healthy people about cancer symptoms and risk factors, giving them information that might one day aid them in making critical health care decisions.

Prevention

Recognizing that prevention is the best way to eliminate the threat of cancer, M. D. Anderson has initiated a multifaceted effort. Expanded research efforts in epidemiology and behavioral sciences complement achievements made in clinical cancer prevention. Laboratory activities support developmental and practical applications of cancer prevention. A new research program focuses attention on disparities in prevention and care among ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations. The Cancer Prevention Center provides comprehensive cancer screening services, including cancer risk assessment, screening exams based on age and gender, personalized risk reduction strategies, genetic testing, chemoprevention, tobacco cessation, and nutrition counseling.

Human Resources

M. D. Anderson employs more than 16,000 people, including nearly 1,400 faculty numbers. A volunteer corps of more than 1,600 people supplements its workforce; these volunteers provide more than 290,000 hours of service each year. Faculty, staff members and volunteers are dedicated to the core values of caring, integrity and discovery. Together they work toward fulfilling the M. D. Anderson mission of eliminating cancer as a major health threat.

Facilities

The institution’s size has increased about 50 percent in the past six years. The physical plant includes an inpatient hospital with 521 beds, five research buildings, two outpatient clinic buildings, a faculty office building, a proton radiation clinic building and a patient-family hotel. From 2005 to the present, the Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building, the Mays Clinic, the Cancer Prevention Building, the Saberioon Molecular Markers Research Building and the Proton Therapy Center opened. The Pickens Academic Tower, currently under construction, will provide additional faculty and administrative space, while an upcoming expansion of Alkek Hospital will accommodate about 300 additional inpatient beds.

For more information about M. D. Anderson, visit our Web site at www.mdanderson.org or call 877.MDA.6789.

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Adult Oncology Services

Introduction

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, as well as through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.

• Patient Care: M. D. Anderson pioneered this multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer by providing cancer care in the form of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these and other treatments.
• Education: More than 4,300 students take part annually in educational programs for physicians, scientists, nurses, and other health professionals.

M. D. Anderson is one of the nation’s original three Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Act of 1971 and is one of 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers today. M. D. Anderson has ranked among the nation’s top two cancer hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” survey since the survey’s inception 18 years ago, ranking number one five times in the last eight years.

General Information

Treatment

Multidisciplinary Teams

Clinicians in all oncologic and supporting specialties work together to plan and implement multimodality therapies. Most patients meet with their treatment team members and receive their ambulatory care in one location. The multidisciplinary care center concept was a driving force in the architectural design of the M. D. Anderson complex.
Multidisciplinary care centers incorporate physical locations and organizational concepts, which were created to provide patient care services for a particular disease site. This organization greatly reduces the time needed for initial evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning, and increases convenience for patients

M. D. Anderson has 26 multidisciplinary care centers that provide integrated cancer care.

Alternative/Complementary Medicine

The goals of M. D. Anderson’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine service are:

• to discover CAM approaches used by patients
• to distinguish between harmful treatments, beneficial treatments, and treatments that can be safely integrated with conventional treatment
• to encourage communication between patients and providers 
• to educate both patients and health care providers with current and accurate information

to promote ongoing professional growth through networking in a setting where complementary medicine and conventional cancer treatments can be examined together

Place...of wellness

More than 75 complementary therapy programs work in concert with mainstream care to manage cancer-related symptoms, relieve stress, and enhance quality of life. Most programs are free of charge, except acupuncture and full body massage, which are provided for a nominal fee. Place...of wellness is open to anyone touched by cancer, their family members, and caregivers, whether or not they were treated at M. D. Anderson. No physician referral is required. For more information about Place…of wellness, call 713.794.4700.

Education

• Touch Therapy for Caregivers, Family, Friends, and Loved Ones
• "Chemobrain"—Is it Real?
• Weight Management Class
• Reiki, Healing Touch for Self & Others
• Guest Chef, Nutrition Classes, Herbal Lecture Series
• P.I.K.N.I.C weekly educational forum
• The Learning Center
• Living Fully with Cancer — an annual patient conference that draws nearly 1,000 patients and caregivers from around the world

Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts Classes

• Journaling: The Healing Power of Story
• Songwriting Workshop: Music Therapy

Meditation & Prayer

• Centering Prayer, Inner Joy, The Art of Living,The Road Less Traveled: Cancer Path and Spiritual Journey,Tibetan Meditation

Movement

• Awareness Through Movement, Pilates, Chi Kung (Qigong), Tai Chi, Yoga (Hatha and Kundalini), Body Energizer

Relaxation & Stress Management

• Aromatherapy & Self-Massage, Brief Relaxation Massages, Guided Imagery for Healing, Relaxation Exercise, Fatigue & Self-Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis for Relaxation, Stress Management Techniques

Acupuncture & Massage

Place…of wellness. For details or for an appointment, call 713.794.4700.

Late Effects and Survivorship

Cancer Prevention and Screening

Expanded research efforts in epidemiology and behavioral sciences complement achievements made in the clinical cancer prevention arena. Laboratory activities support developmental and practical applications of cancer prevention. A new research program is focusing attention on health disparities in prevention and care among ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations.

The Cancer Prevention Center provides comprehensive cancer screening services, including cancer risk assessment, screening exams based on cancer risk, age and gender, personalized risk-reduction strategies, genetic testing, chemoprevention, tobacco cessation, and nutrition counseling.

Cancer Prevention Center
To determine which services are best for you, call 800.438.6434. Services include:

• Comprehensive cancer screening
• Site-specific cancer screening
• Risk assessment and risk reduction
• Genetic testing and risk counseling
• Chemoprevention
• Nutrition counseling
• Tobacco cessation counseling
• Diagnostic evaluation services
• Breast Evaluation Clinic:comprehensive clinical and diagnostic evaluation of breast abnormalities, including a lump or other breast changes.
• Undiagnosed Dermatology Clinic: diagnostic evaluation of skin abnormalities, including a change in a mole or freckle or other skin changes.

Tobacco Cessation
For M. D. Anderson patients, free comprehensive medical treatment for tobacco cessation is offered to all patients who smoke or have recently quit. For more information, call 713.792.QUIT.  

For smokers who are not receiving cancer care at M. D. Anderson, there are numerous tobacco-cessation studies available that provide free treatment. Call the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program at 713.792.2265.

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
Held every other Wednesday at M. D. Anderson from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Call 713.792.8924 for an appointment. Additionally, a mobile prostate screening van provides free prostate cancer screening in underserved areas in Houston. 

Support Services

Supportive Care

Department of Clinical Nutrition
Provides comprehensive nutrition care for our patients and cancer-related nutrition education for the public. We work with M. D. Anderson’s medical team to pinpoint opportunities for nutritional intervention or support.

Services include education, assessment, and counseling in cancer prevention; therapeutic diets; nutrition build-up prior to and during therapy; management of treatment side effects; management of specialized feeding regimens like tube feedings and IV parenteral support; nutrition education for patients, families, caregivers, and the general public; and presentations on nutrition and cancer for other healthcare professionals at M. D. Anderson, professional organizations, universities, and in the community.

Cancer Prevention Center Nutrition Counseling

A dietary evaluation with personalized counseling for cancer risk reduction is available for the general public. Call 713.745.8040.

Cooperative Group Membership

Clinical and Research Efforts

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Pediatric Oncology Services

Introduction

The Children’s Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center offers comprehensive care to children with cancer within the environment of the No. 1-rated cancer hospital in the nation. Pediatric cancer patients receive treatment through the Children’s Cancer Hospital’s inpatient facility (where caregivers can room-in with their children), outpatient clinic, day hospital, and the pediatric intensive care unit. Full supportive services are provided, including child and adolescent life, psychological services, education and vocational guidance, music and art therapy, an in-hospital school with classrooms for grades 1 through 12, extracurricular programs including camps, an annual ski trip for visually and physically challenged patients, and a long-term follow-up clinic. Facilities in the Children’s Cancer Hospital also include a designated “Teen Room,” play space and an area for ages 15-25 years with pool, arcade games, movies and more. Recreation therapy and language assistance are also services offered. The Children’s Cancer Hospital operates with family-centered cancer care in mind, and is recognized worldwide for its expertise in treating children with cancer. Here, pediatric oncologists have expertise in the management of all childhood cancers and are world-renowned experts in the areas listed below:

General Information

Clinical and Research Information

Special Expertise

Cell Therapy (Bone Marrow Transplant)
M. D. Anderson is the largest BMT center in the United States, which includes the Children’s Cancer Hospital’s BMT Program. M. D. Anderson is FACT-accredited and designated by COG and the National Marrow Donor Program as a transplant center qualified to perform matched and unrelated donor transplants as well as autologous transplants. The unrelated transplantation program at the Children’s Cancer Hospital uses umbilical cord transplant and is one of the few places in Texas that performs cord blood pediatric transplants. The program includes expertise in graft manipulation including T-depletion and investigational therapies based on selection of CD133. Active transplant protocols are underway for several types of malignancies: acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), myelodysplasia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, and other solid tumors of childhood. In addition to undertaking transplants, the program has an active translational research program developing new therapies based on infusion of T cells and NK cells.

Solid Tumors – including DSRCT, Sarcomas and Bone Tumor Cancers (Osteosarcoma, Ewing’s Sarcoma)
The M. D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital is an active treatment center for the many varieties of childhood solid tumors such as Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, melanoma, tumors of the head and neck, and sarcomas – especially rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Patient evaluation results in an individualized approach that may or may not result in protocol therapy, depending on the specific circumstances of the patient and family. M. D. Anderson uses diagnostic imaging resources including PET-CT fusion imaging consultation to sort out important issues for not only best survival outcome, but also quality of life issues. Since most solid tumors require at least two and sometimes all three major modalities (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation), the coordination of care between experienced specialists for treatment of rare and/or difficult situations (e.g. metastatic or recurrent disease) is expected and routine. This group has pioneered and now routinely uses a number of innovative approaches in treatment of these cancers, including outpatient chemotherapy (e.g. high-dose methotrexate, ifosfamide, cisplatin, doxorubicin liposomes, dexrazoxane then doxorubicin, gemcitabine + docetaxel), radiation with concurrent outpatient chemotherapy, use of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals (samarium) for osteosarcoma, aerosol chemotherapy (L9NC, gemcitabine), and novel use of immune modulators (e.g. L-MTP-PE, MTher, aerosol cytokines including IL-2 and GM-CSF) in the treatment of bone tumors. For regional disease such as peritoneal spread of desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), pleural lesions and disease in the mediastinum, coordinated care between surgical specialties, innovative chemotherapy, radiation oncology, and other services such as interventional radiology plastic surgery is common. Examples include improved enteral nutrition, surgery followed by continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion of chemotherapy (CHPP) for DSRCT, intrapleural chemotherapy and/or chemotherapy for radio sensitization. Many treatment paradigms involve reduced likelihood of hospitalization. 

Brain and Neural Tumors
The Pediatric Neural Tumor Section provides consultation, evaluation, and treatment for children with central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma, and neurofibromatosis. For all common types of newly diagnosed brain tumors or neuroblastoma, therapeutic protocols form the basis for treatment with either institutional protocols or collaborative studies through the Children’s Oncology Group. Phase I and II studies provide therapeutic options for children with recurrent tumors. M. D. Anderson pioneered an oral chemotherapy regimen for children with certain types of brain and spinal cord tumors, thus eliminating the need for radiation therapy and decreasing hospital stays. Oral chemotherapy treatments for these cancers have been found to be as effective as radiation.

Leukemias
The Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Section has unique expertise in the care of patients with relapsed or refractory disease. This section works closely with our adult leukemia and lymphoma colleagues, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the POETIC consortium to obtain new or innovative drugs or treatment approaches for patients whose original therapy has failed. The pediatric section was largely responsible for the only new drug, Clofarabine, to obtain FDA approval for childhood leukemia since 1990.

Neuropsychology
The neuropsychology team assesses patients for difficulties in language, memory, intellectual, visual perceptual, and attention skills.   All children with brain tumors are evaluated as well as children undergoing bone marrow transplantation and others undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments to the brain.  The neuropsychology team works closely with the education team to evaluate a child’s strengths and weaknesses to ensure that they can attain their maximum academic potential, in spite of their cancer treatment.  Our Cognitive Training research program provides a 20-week course for patients who are at-risk for cognitive difficulties associated with their treatment. 

Statistics

Percent of children treated in each age range

Pediatric Oncology Program, 2006

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Genetic Counseling and Testing Service

Introduction

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center offers cancer genetic counseling and testing services through the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program. M. D. Anderson patients are seen in genetic counseling clinics within the Breast, Gynecology, Gastrointestinal, Endocrinology, and Cancer Prevention Centers. These programs all provide comprehensive risk assessment and genetic counseling services to individuals and their family members. Persons affected with cancer as well as those unaffected by cancer are counseled. The services include risk assessment and counseling; discussion of options for risk management, cancer screening, and surveillance; and when appropriate, genetic testing, reproductive risk counseling, coordination of patient care, and opportunities to participate in research protocols. The clinical services are provided by a multidisciplinary team, which includes board-certified and board-eligible genetic counselors as well as physicians with expertise in gynecology, gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, and endocrinology. Individuals found to be at high risk for cancer are offered follow-up in high risk cancer screening clinics at M. D. Anderson.

M. D. Anderson provides a full range of genetic counseling, testing, screening, and research. The components of our comprehensive genetic counseling and genetic testing program include:

Intake Process

Testing

Post-Test Counseling and Follow-Up

Research

M. D. Anderson also offers ongoing clinical trials to answer important questions related to genetic testing, prevention, and early detection of cancer. Please visit www.mdanderson.org for more detailed information on all of these studies.

Other Components of Genetic Services

Last updated: 2/20/2008