From the Guidelines
For pancreatic cancer treatment, high-volume centers with a multidisciplinary approach, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins Hospital, are recommended. These institutions specialize in pancreatic cancer care with high patient volumes, experienced multidisciplinary teams, and access to cutting-edge clinical trials 1, 2, 3. The best hospital for an individual patient depends on several factors including the specific type and stage of pancreatic cancer, geographic location, insurance coverage, and personal preferences. When selecting a hospital, look for one with:
- A dedicated pancreatic cancer program
- Surgeons who perform a high volume of pancreatic procedures (particularly the complex Whipple procedure)
- A multidisciplinary approach involving medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, and supportive care specialists National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers often provide the most advanced treatment options 4, 5, 6. Patients should consider seeking second opinions from specialists at these major centers even if treatment will ultimately be delivered closer to home. According to the NCCN Guidelines, decisions about diagnostic management and resectability of pancreatic cancer should involve multidisciplinary consultation at high-volume centers with use of appropriate imaging studies 1. Increasing participation in clinical trials is also critical to making progress in this disease 2.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Hospital Ranking for Pancreatic Cancer
- There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided study 7 focuses on the efficacy and toxicity of a specific chemotherapy regimen (FOLFIRINOX) as a second-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer, rather than comparing hospitals.
- The study 7 evaluates the activity and tolerability of FOLFIRINOX in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have progressed on gemcitabine-based therapy, but does not provide information on hospital rankings or comparisons.
- To determine the best hospital for pancreatic cancer, other factors such as hospital reputation, surgeon experience, and treatment outcomes would need to be considered, but this information is not available in the provided study 7.