Cancer Services and the Comprehensive Cancer Center

Authors: Mary Gospodarowicz, Joann Trypuc, Anil D. Cruz, Jamal Khader, Sherif Omar, Felicia Knaul

Citation:

Abstract:

This chapter describes the structure of comprehensive cancer centers, which consists of three levels: (1) clinical management (patient care plans and clinical practice guidelines); (2) clinical services (ambulatory care, medical imaging, pathology, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, palliative care, and survivorship services); and (3) core services (administration and management, human resources, pharmacy, information technology, infection control, quality assurance, finance, and additional key supports). Quality of care is enhanced by following guidelines that focus on effectiveness, safety, responsiveness, accessibility, equity, and efficiency. Comprehensive centers play a significant role educating a country’s health care professionals. India’s National Cancer Control Program has the objective to develop a regional cancer center in every state to prevent tobacco-related cancers and to offer early detection services. Twinning relationships facilitate development of cancer centers, and examples are given of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s International Outreach Program with 20 partners and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, Washington) with Uganda Cancer Institute.