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Here are three of the top cancer-care hospitals on the U.S. West Coast, each with a strong national reputation and unique strengths. If you like, I can pull a longer list. 1. City of Hope – Duarte, California 6 Why it stands out City of Hope is now ranked among the top five cancer hospitals in the nation for cancer care in the U.S. News & World Report 2024-25 rankings. City of Hope+2Becker's Hospital Review+2 It’s known for strong translational research (moving discoveries in the lab quickly into treatments) and large clinical-trial programs. Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce+1 Located in Duarte, CA, it's accessible from the Los Angeles area. Good for Patients seeking cutting-edge treatments or clinical-trial options Those willing to travel for care Complex or rare cancers needing specialist expertise Considerations Travel and lodging logistics if you’re not local Confirm the availability of a second opinion or collaborative care with a local oncologist 2. UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center – Los Angeles, California 6 Why it stands out This center has been recognized for 24 consecutive years as one of the best cancer-care institutions. UCLA Health In California, it was ranked #1 for cancer care and #4 nationally in its specialty in recent U.S. News rankings. UCLA Health Strong infrastructure, with designation as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). UCLA Health Good for Patients wanting a large academic facility with full multidisciplinary teams Complex cancers requiring integrated care (surgery, medical oncology, radiation, research) Access to advanced treatments in the Los Angeles region Considerations Volume and size may mean more specialists — worth checking care coordination Traffic/logistics in Los Angeles may impact convenience 3. UCSF Medical Center – San Francisco, California 6 Why it stands out UCSF ranks among the top hospitals in the country in multiple specialties, including cancer. In 2024-25 it was ranked #7 nationally for cancer care in its region. UCSF Cancer Center+1 Leading academic hospital with strong research connections and complex case expertise. Located in the Bay Area, serving Northern California and beyond. Good for Patients looking for highly specialized care, including rare cancers or research treatment options Coordinating care in the Bay Area or Northern California Considerations As with large academic centers, scheduling and navigating may require care Travel may be needed depending on your home base Note on Selecting “the best” Rankings (U.S. News, Newsweek, etc.) provide guidance but they use multiple factors (patient outcomes, reputation, research, resources). For example, a recent listing of top cancer hospitals in California named UCLA, UCSF, City of Hope, Stanford, and UCSD among the top 8. Becker's Hospital Review+1 “Best” for a given patient depends on: cancer type, stage, available treatments, local support, ability to travel, insurance/coverage, and desired level of trial access. Getting a second opinion can be very valuable, especially for complex cases. If you like, I can expand the list to 5-10 West Coast cancer centers, include Pacific Northwest selections (e.g., Washington/Oregon) and provide a comparison chart of specialties they are known for. Would you like that?