The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (colloquially MD Anderson Cancer Center) is a comprehensive
cancer center in
Houston, Texas. It is the largest cancer center in the U.S. and one of the original three comprehensive cancer centers in the country.[1] It is both a degree-granting academic institution and a cancer treatment and research center located at the
Texas Medical Center in Houston, the largest medical center and
life sciences destination in the world.[2][3][4][5] It is affiliated with
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. MD Anderson Cancer Center has consistently ranked #1 among the best hospitals for cancer care and research in the U.S. and worldwide,[6][7][8][9][10] and it has held the #1 position 19 times in the last 22 years on
U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals rankings for cancer care.[8] As of 2023, MD Anderson Cancer Center is home to the highest number of cancer clinical trials in the world and has received more
NCI-funded projects than any other U.S. institute.[11][12] In 2024, Newsweek placed MD Anderson at #1 in their annual list of the World's Best Specialized Hospitals in
oncology.[13]
History
The cancer center is named after
Monroe Dunaway Anderson, who feared that in the event of one of the partners' deaths, his company would lose a large amount of money to
estate tax and be forced to dissolve. To avoid this, Anderson created the MD Anderson Foundation with an initial sum of $300,000. In 1939, after Anderson's death, the foundation received $19 million.
In 1941, the
Texas Legislature had appropriated $500,000 to build a cancer hospital and research center. The Anderson Foundation agreed to match funds with the state if the hospital were located in Houston in the Texas Medical Center (another project of the Anderson Foundation) and named after Anderson.[14]
Using surplus World War II Army barracks, the hospital operated for 10 years from a converted residence and 46 beds leased in a Houston hospital before moving to its current location in 1954.[14]
The institution became the subject of controversy in 2005 when it leased the use of its name to private investors who intended to promote a particular therapeutic approach,
proton therapy. An article in the Houston Chronicle suggested that the arrangement between the center and the investors might skew incentives, providing MD Anderson with non-medical reasons to "send as many patients as possible into the program."[15]
Organization
Status
Being part of The University of Texas System, MD Anderson Cancer Center is managed under a nonprofit structure; however, for-profit agreements[16][17] have caused some to question the motives of the center.[18][19][20][21]
MD Anderson enjoys university status by providing
fellowship,
internship and
residency opportunities to Ph.D.s and medical professionals. The institution offers master's degrees,[22] Ph.D.s[23] and dual M.D./Ph.D. degrees[24] to students enrolled in
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences,[25] which it operates with UT Health Science Center at Houston. Areas of study include biochemistry and cell biology, cancer biology, genetics and epigenetics, immunology, medical physics, microbiology and infectious diseases, neuroscience, quantitative sciences, and therapeutics and pharmacology. Additionally, the institution offers bachelor's and master's degrees to students enrolled in The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions. Areas of study include clinical laboratory science, cytogenetic technology, cytotechnology, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic medical sonography, healthcare disparities, diversity and advocacy, histotechnology, medical dosimetry, molecular genetic technology, diagnostic genetics, radiological sciences and radiation therapy.
In May 1996, the
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) established the Collaborating Center for Supportive Cancer Care at the Pain Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.[28] The terms of reference engage the MD Anderson Center in the development of palliative care programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.[29]
Presidents
MD Anderson has had five full-time presidents in its history:
The cancer center continues to grow, increasing in size by 50% in the past 10 years. Presently, the Houston complex now includes more than 680 inpatient beds,[31] several research buildings and outpatient clinic buildings, two faculty office buildings, and a patient-family hotel in addition to other off-site facilities for clinical and research use.
Recently completed construction projects include two new research buildings on MD Anderson's South Campus and the addition of nine floors that can accommodate more than 300 new inpatient beds in Alkek Hospital on the North Campus.[32]
MD Anderson's first facility on its Mid Campus opened in 2011 and includes a 25-story building to support current office space and future growth needs.
In 2012, the
Houston Main Building (originally the Prudential Building) was demolished, with plans to redevelop the site. The building had originally been purchased by MD Anderson in 1974 for $18.5 million.[34][35]
The MD Anderson campus is divided into the North Campus, Mid Campus and South Campus.[37] The North Campus includes: The Main Building, which comprises Alkek Hospital,[32] Bates-Freeman Building, Clark Clinic, Gimbel Building, Jones Research Building, LeMaistre Clinic, Love Clinic and Lutheran Hospital Pavilion. Other facilities on this campus are the Dan L. Duncan Building, Clinical Research Building, Faculty Center, Mays Clinic, Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building, Pickens Academic Tower, Radiology Outpatient Center and Rotary House International. The T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower, a 21-story, 730,000-square-foot (68,000 m2) building, which opened in 2008, is named after
T. Boone Pickens, who donated to the cancer center. It houses classrooms, conference facilities, and executive and faculty offices.[38]
The South Campus is home to the McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer,[39] which includes seven translational research centers focused on
genomics,
proteomics, screening,
diagnostic imaging and drug development.
The Mid Campus building, a 25-story building to support current office space and future growth needs, opened in 2011.
MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital
MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital is the pediatric unit of the MD Anderson Cancer Center system. The hospital treats infants, children, teens, and young adults even up to age 29 through their
AYA cancer program.[40] MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital is located on the 9th floor of the main building at the Texas Medical Center campus.
Other locations
MD Anderson operates several other locations within the
Houston area. They include:
MD Anderson
League City, on the University of Texas Medical Branch League City campus. Specialties include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, dermatology and skin cancer, endocrine cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynecologic cancer, head and neck cancer, neurologic cancer, and thoracic cancer.[41]
MD Anderson
Sugar Land, on the campus of St. Luke's Sugar Land Hospital. Specialties include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, dermatology and skin cancer, endocrine cancer, thoracic cancer, neurologic cancer, genitourinary cancer, and gynecologic cancer.[42]
MD Anderson West Houston. Specialties include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, dermatology and skin cancer, endocrine cancer, head and neck cancer, thoracic cancer, neurologic cancer, genitourinary cancer, gynecologic cancer, and urology.[43]
MD Anderson
The Woodlands, on the campus of St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital. Specialties include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, dermatology and skin cancer, endocrine cancer, head and neck cancer, thoracic cancer, neurologic cancer, genitourinary cancer, and gynecologic cancer.[44]
MD Anderson Surgical Clinic
Memorial City, on the campus of Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. This location offers surgical consultation for many types of cancer. It has special expertise in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, thoracic cancer, head and neck cancer, urologic cancer, neurologic cancer, and plastic surgery and reconstruction.[45]
MD Anderson Gynecologic Oncology Clinic in the
Texas Medical Center, on the campus of The Woman's Hospital of Texas. This facility specializes in gynecological cancers and treats cervical cancer, fallopian tube cancer, uterine (endometrial) cancer, vaginal cancer, ovarian cancer, vulvar cancer, gynecologic sarcomas, gestational trophoblastic disease, pre-invasive diseases of the lower genital tract, and primary peritoneal cancer.[46]
In September 2018, in collaboration with The University of Texas Medical Branch, the MD Anderson Bay Area location moved to a newly built facility in League City, Texas.[47]
Several hospitals and institutions outside of Texas are part of the MD Anderson Cancer Network. These independently operated facilities follow MD Anderson treatment plans and standards of care. The network includes:
The MD Anderson Radiation Treatment Center at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital is located in the Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.[48]
The MD Anderson Radiation Treatment Center in Istanbul at American Hospital is located in the Vehbi Koc Foundation (VKF) American Hospital in
Istanbul,
Turkey.[53]
On August 14, 2023, the University of Texas System announced its plan to build a new MD Anderson Cancer Center in Austin, Texas, on the current site of the
Frank Erwin Center adjacent to the
University of Texas at Austin campus. The new center will collaborate with a new UT Austin teaching hospital that will also be built nearby. The demolition of the Erwin Center is scheduled to be completed in 2024, and the groundbreakings for the new hospitals are projected to commence in 2026.[56]
Sister institutions
MD Anderson has formed sister institution relationships with more than 25 organizations in Asia, Europe, Central America and South America through its Global Academic Programs department. Collaborations focus on research, prevention, education and patient care.[57]
MD Anderson Services Corporation
MD Anderson Services Corporation[58] (formerly MD Anderson Cancer Center
Outreach Corporation[59]) was established in 1989 as a not-for-profit corporation to enhance revenues of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center by establishing joint ventures in selected markets, providing additional referrals to the institution, contracting for delivery of inpatient and out-patient management, using existing UT MD Anderson Cancer Center reference laboratory services, and fostering additional philanthropy in distant areas.[citation needed]
^De Lima L1, Bruera E.The Pan American Health Organization: its structure and role in the development of a palliative care program for Latin America and the Caribbean.J Symptom Manage 2000 Dec;20(6):440-8.
^Cancerwise Blogger. "
M. D. Anderson in Istanbul, Turkey." University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. February 2, 2010. Retrieved on April 4, 2010.