Patient and Cancer Information

Yale Cancer Center is Connecticut's only cancer center designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute- and one of only 56 in the nation. The significance of this designation has profound implications for those who choose Smilow Cancer Hospital as the place where they will be cared for and receive treatment for their cancer. National Cancer Institute cancer centers are national leaders in cancer research, prevention, detection, and treatment. This provides patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital with novel treatment options and expert care.

The delivery of cancer care is becoming ever more complex, involving multiple disciplines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. In response, Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center have developed 13 multidisciplinary clinical centers to care for patients diagnosed with cancer. The clinical centers allow physicians and specialists at Smilow Cancer Hospital to focus their expertise on specific types of cancers enabling them to provide superior care to our patients through a patient-friendly system of care led by a nurse coordinator. Our nationally recognized physicians provide unparalleled cancer expertise and are leaders in both the treatment of cancers and the development of innovative treatment strategies.

The key characteristics of the 13 Clinical Centers at Smilow Cancer Hospital are:

• Patient centered care
• Rapid access to appointments and relevant tests
• Personalized care led by a physician in collaboration with a team of specialists
• Personal communication and assistance from a dedicated intake specialist and nurse coordinator
• Compassion and support for the psychological aspects of cancer
• Rapid communication with and involvement of outside primary care and referring physicians