Lung Cancer Centers
After a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s crucial to get treatment from experts at specialized hospitals. Lung cancer centers across the country can help patients by offering the best therapies for their specific diagnosis. Explore top lung cancer centers and get help affording treatment.
What Is the Best Hospital for Lung Cancer?
If you or a loved one is suffering from lung cancer, getting care from an experienced hospital can make all the difference.
There are many top lung cancer centers that can treat patients across the country, offering hope following a diagnosis.
Lung cancer treatment centers:
- Tailor treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs
- Have multiple lung cancer doctors on staff
- Run clinical trials that may allow patients to access new therapies
- Provide additional support like mental health counseling and nutrition planning
Our team has compiled information about many of the best lung cancer centers in the nation below.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to learn more about treatments offered by top hospitals and how you may be able to access financial compensation for medical expenses.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Types of Specialists at Lung Cancer Centers
Lung cancer doctors who specialize in different treatments work together with other medical professionals at hospitals to create the best care plans for patients.
The best lung cancer hospitals will have these specialists on staff:
- Medical oncologists: These doctors use chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat lung cancer.
- Pathologists: A pathologist examines biopsy samples to help confirm a lung cancer diagnosis.
- Pulmonologists: These specialists diagnose patients and determine lung cancer stage.
- Radiation oncologists: By working with these doctors, patients can access radiation treatments.
- Thoracic surgeons: These specialists treat lung cancer using different surgeries.
- Other support personnel: Nurses, social workers, mental health counselors, and more all work to support patients and their families.
Thanks to the multidisciplinary teams at lung cancer centers, patients can access the best possible treatments for their case.
Top 12 Lung Cancer Treatment Centers
There are dozens of lung cancer hospitals across the country that provide expert care to patients. Here are the top 12 lung cancer centers in the U.S. that offer specialized treatment.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is known for groundbreaking research in lung cancer care.
Some of the treatments Cedars-Sinai offers are:
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapy
- Minimally invasive surgery with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
- Clinical trials exploring new drug combinations and targeted therapies
“Cedars‑Sinai’s Lung Cancer team brings together experts in lung cancer and related conditions to get you a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique concerns.”
– Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Leading the thoracic surgery division, lung cancer specialist Dr. Harmik J. Soukiasian provides advanced diagnostic and treatment options.
City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
Located in Duarte, California, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center provides a patient-first approach to lung cancer care.
Its multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Dan J. Raz and Dr. Lauren Antrim, works together to create highly personalized treatment plans that preserve lung function and quality of life.
Available treatments include:
- Immunotherapy
- New therapies available only in clinical trials
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- VATS
Notably, City of Hope performs more thoracic surgeries than other facilities in the state. Its doctors can also use minimally invasive, video-based imaging to help diagnose lung cancer.
Call (877) 446-5767 now for help exploring and affording lung cancer treatments offered by leading hospitals.
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is nationally recognized for innovative care. Specialists include Dr. Nathan Pennell, Director of the Lung Cancer Medical Oncology Program, and Dr. Daniel Raymond, a thoracic surgeon.
Treatments offered include:
- Chemotherapy
- Lung cancer surgeries such as lobectomies
- Radiation therapy
“No matter what their diagnosis is, no matter how tough the situation is, even if we can’t always necessarily cure their cancer, we can always help them.”
– Dr. Nathan Pennell, Cleveland Clinic lung cancer doctor
Doctors on staff can also treat mesothelioma, a cancer that often affects the lining of the lungs (pleura).
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
The team at Boston’s Dana-Farber works to provide exceptional care focused on survival and quality of life. The center specializes in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), mesothelioma, and other thoracic cancers.
Treatments offered include:
- Advanced radiation techniques like stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
- Minimally invasive surgeries for lung and chest cancers
- Personalized therapy based on tumor genetics
Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes thoracic surgeon Dr. David A. Barbie, medical oncologist Dr. Pasi A. Jänne, and mesothelioma specialist Dr. Raphael Bueno.
“When patients are first diagnosed with lung cancer, it is an overwhelming diagnosis. We want patients and their family members to be involved in their care and want them to express their wishes in terms of the types of treatment decisions we make. We also provide education on the different treatment options.”
– Dr. Pasi A. Jänne, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute lung cancer doctor
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
Tampa Florida’s Moffitt Cancer Center is a leading institution for comprehensive lung cancer care, treating all types and stages of the disease. Its thoracic oncology program is led by Dr. Jhanelle Gray.
Treatments offered include:
- Immunotherapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Photodynamic therapy
- Robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgery
Moffitt is recognized for its progressive therapies and groundbreaking cancer research, translating discoveries from the lab into better patient outcomes. The center also offers one of the top lung cancer screening and surveillance programs in the country.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic has locations in New York, Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. Teams of thoracic surgeons and oncologists work together to create the best treatment plans for lung cancer patients.
Available treatments include:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Minimally invasive surgeries like robotic lobectomy and wedge resection
- Targeted radiation therapies, including proton therapy
Mayo Clinic facilities are consistently ranked among the nation’s best lung cancer centers.
Need help accessing and affording treatments from top lung cancer hospitals? Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now to explore your options.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Located in Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center offers world-class lung cancer care driven by a large team of thoracic and lung cancer specialists.
Treatments offered include:
- Genomic-guided targeted therapies
- Proton therapy and Gamma Knife® radiation therapy
- Robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgeries
Some of the facility’s leading lung cancer doctors include surgeon Dr. David Rice, medical oncologist Dr. Anne Tsao, and radiation specialist Dr. Aileen Chen.
“I operate on patients who have cancers of the lungs, the esophagus, and the organs of the chest. I remember when I started, patients who had an operation for lung cancer would be in the hospital for 6-7 days. Now, with minimally invasive surgery, those patients have a hospital stay of 1-2 days.”
– Dr. David Rice, MD Anderson Cancer Center lung cancer doctor
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York City’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides expert, multidisciplinary lung cancer care tailored to each patient’s needs.
Notably, this hospital has received Comprehensive Cancer Center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This means it provides extremely high-quality care to all patients.
Treatments offered at Memorial Sloan include:
- Advanced radiation therapy and interventional radiology
- Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted lung surgeries
- Targeted and immunotherapy informed by genetic profiling
The center is renowned for its minimally invasive surgical expertise, performing over 1,200 lung cancer surgeries annually, with more than 90% using less-invasive techniques.
Top doctors on staff include thoracic oncologists Dr. David R. Jones and Dr. Prasad S. Adusumilli, medical oncologist Dr. Mark Awad, and radiation oncologist Dr. John J. Cuaron.
Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is a top facility for those living in and near New York City. Doctors at this lung cancer center can help diagnose and treat patients at any stage.
Mount Sinai Health System offers treatments like:
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Palliative (pain-relieving) care
- Radiation therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Surgeries like VATS lobectomy
- Targeted therapy
Leading lung cancer specialists on staff include Dr. Andrea Wolf, Dr. Brian Housman, and Dr. Kenneth Rosenzweig. Mount Sinai doctors can also treat mesothelioma under the direction of Dr. Raja Flores.
Stanford Health Care
Stanford Health Care in California provides excellent lung cancer treatment through its specialized screening program and multidisciplinary team of experts.
This lung cancer center offers cutting-edge diagnostic tools, including genetic testing, bronchoscopy with ultrasound, and imaging tests like PET scans, to give a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.
Therapies offered at Stanford include:
- Advanced imaging and biopsy methods for accurate diagnoses
- Comprehensive support services for patients and families
- Minimally invasive lung surgery
Led by thoracic surgeons like Dr. Douglas Liou and Dr. Natalie Shaubie Lui, the center is known for its early cancer detection and personalized treatment.
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Based in Denver, University of Colorado Cancer Center is the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering advanced care for patients.
The treatments offered by this lung cancer center include:
- Immunotherapy and targeted therapies tailored to each patient’s cancer
- Minimally invasive surgeries, including robotic-assisted and VATS techniques
- Precision radiation therapy, including stereotactic body radiation
The facility also offers access to over 160 clinical trials for lung cancer, meaning many patients can get cutting-edge treatments from this facility.
Experts like Dr. Ross Camidge and Dr. Elizabeth David treat NSCLC, SCLC, and mesothelioma at this lung cancer center.
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
The multidisciplinary lung cancer team at Nashville’s Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center includes experts like Dr. Christine M. Lovly, Dr. Eric S. Lambright, and Dr. Travis J. Osterman.
Therapies offered at Vanderbilt-Ingram include:
- Advanced diagnostic tools, including endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
- Immunotherapy and targeted precision therapies tailored to your cancer’s profile
- Robotic and video-assisted thoracic surgery for less invasive lung-sparing procedures
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is Tennessee’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Also known for its innovative lung cancer research, this lung cancer center helps patients access clinical trials and new treatments before they’re widely available.
Tips for Choosing a Lung Cancer Center
When facing a lung cancer diagnosis, you’ll want the best care for yourself or your loved one. The right treatment center will fit your specific needs and support your treatment goals.
When choosing your lung cancer center, be sure to:
- Check for accreditations: Look for lung cancer centers that have received Comprehensive Cancer Center status from the NCI, as these provide the highest level of care.
- Consider location: Select a center within a manageable distance or one that offers help with travel and accommodations for frequent visits.
- Evaluate the team’s expertise: Ensure the hospital includes specialists like pulmonologists, medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and more who have a strong track record of treating lung cancer.
- Explore its support services: Look for lung cancer centers that provide counseling, help for caregivers, and programs to manage side effects and improve your quality of life.
- Read patient reviews: Read feedback from other patients, which can give you insight into care quality and the overall experience at the lung cancer hospital you’re considering.
- Review available lung cancer treatments: Choose centers offering advanced treatment options like immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials for cutting-edge therapies.
- Understand costs: Check whether the center accepts your insurance and explore financial compensation programs or payment options to help manage expenses.
Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to find top treatments available at many major lung cancer hospitals and learn how to access financial aid for health care bills.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Get Help Finding Top Lung Cancer Centers
Getting care from a top lung cancer center can make your journey much easier. The best lung cancer hospitals offer significant advantages that can improve your treatment experience and recovery.
Through a specialized lung cancer treatment hospital, you can:
- Get an accurate lung cancer diagnosis
- Access the best treatments for your case
- Participate in clinical trials to receive new and possibly better therapies
- Find support for you and your family members
“There’s a saying in oncology that ‘people don’t get cancer, families get cancer.’ Everyone is affected by this. And it’s also critically important, as you go through the journey of dealing with cancer, that you have support from the people that you love and care about.”
– Dr. Nathan Pennell, Cleveland Clinic lung cancer doctor
Call (877) 446-5767 or Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now for help exploring treatments offered by lung cancer centers and to find out if you may be eligible for financial compensation to help cover your medical expenses.
Lung Cancer Center FAQs
What are the top centers for lung cancer?
Some of the top lung cancer centers include:
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
All of these lung cancer centers have specialists with many years of experience on staff and can provide a wide range of treatments based on your specific diagnosis.
What is the life expectancy of a person with lung cancer?
The average lung cancer life expectancy is 7-16 months, since most patients are diagnosed in the later stages and have limited treatment options.
However, accessing treatments offered by top lung cancer centers may allow you or someone you love to become a long-term survivor.
Contact us now to get more information about lung cancer treatments that could help you live longer and to see if you may qualify for compensation for health care bills.
What stage of lung cancer kills you?
Stage 4 lung cancer is the most lethal stage because tumors have metastasized (spread) through the body.
That said, doctors at the best lung cancer hospitals can still treat stage 4 patients. Some stage 4 lung cancer patients have gone on to become long-term survivors by getting treatment.
Do lung cancer centers help with travel expenses?
Some lung cancer centers offer programs to help patients with travel and lodging costs, especially for frequent treatments like radiation therapy or lung cancer surgery.
If they don’t, organizations like the American Cancer Society or local nonprofits may provide support.
Our team can also help you pursue financial compensation to cover travel expenses related to your lung cancer diagnosis. Call (877) 446-5767 now to see if you may qualify.
