MD Anderson Cancer Center

MD Anderson is focused on research on causes, treatments, and prevention of cancer, with the stated mission of "Making Cancer History." In FY 2017, about 10,800 patients participated in therapeutic clinical research exploring novel treatments,[5] making it one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States.[6]

Being part of The University of Texas System, MD Anderson Cancer Center is managed under a nonprofit structure; however, for-profit agreements[7][8] have caused some to question the motives of the center.[9][10][11][12]

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,[13] Ph.D.s[14] and dual M.D./Ph.D. degrees[15] to students enrolled in The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences formerly The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston (UT-GSBS),[16] which it operates with UT Health Science Center at Houston. Areas of study include: immunology, cancer biology, genes and development, molecular carcinogenesis, medical physics, biomathematics and biostatistics, experimental therapeutics, and virology and gene therapy. 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 addition to its No. 1 ranking in cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, the cancer center ranks first in the number of National Cancer Institute grants and invested more than $862.8 million in research in FY 2018.[6] The cancer center also has received Magnet Nursing recognition[17] from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

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 M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.[18] The terms of reference engage the Anderson Center in the development of palliative care programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.[19]

MD Anderson has had five full-time presidents in its history:

• R. Lee Clark, M.D. (1946–1978)
• Charles LeMaistre, M.D. (1978–1996)
• John Mendelsohn, M.D. (1996–2011)
• Ronald DePinho, M.D. (2011–2017)
• Peter WT Pisters, M.D. (2017–present)[20]

Mendelsohn stepped down from his position on Sept. 1, 2011, when Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., became president.[21] Mendelsohn remained on the faculty as co-director of the new Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy. Mendelsohn died on January 7, 2019, from glioblastoma.[22][23]

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,[24] 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.[25]

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.

Also in 2011, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation gave $150 million to MD Anderson.[26] The new Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Building for Personalized Cancer Care is an international center of clinical excellence focusing on using the latest advances in genetic information to develop safe, more effective treatments for patients on a case-by-case basis.

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.[27][28]

MD Anderson Cancer Center is located at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.[29] The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research.

Water wall at MD Anderson Cancer Center

The MD Anderson campus is divided into the North Campus, Mid Campus and South Campus.[30] The North Campus includes: The Main Building, which comprises Alkek Hospital,[25] 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.[31]

The South Campus is home to the McCombs Institute for the Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer,[32] 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 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.[33] MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital is located on the 9th floor of the main building at the Texas Medical Center campus.

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.[34]
• 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.[35]
• 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.[36]
• 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.[37]
• 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.[38]
• 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.[39]
• 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.[40]

MD Anderson also has operations outside of Texas.

• The MD Anderson Radiation Treatment Center at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital is located in the Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[41]
• Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, a city in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, opened in September 2011.[42]
• MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, located in Camden, New Jersey, opened in October 2013.
• Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida, opened in October 2015.[43]
• The Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center opened in San Diego, California in 2018.[44]
• The MD Anderson Radiation Treatment Center in Istanbul at American Hospital is located in the Vehbi Koc Foundation (VKF) American Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.[45]
• Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado,[46] opened 2018. [47]