Cancer Center

At Geisinger, you can expect the best and latest innovations in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment. Our more than 30-year alliance with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and its community research programs allows us to offer the most advanced care and treatment options to patients close to home. 

Cancer clinical trials

Geisinger is a NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) community site that conducts cancer clinical trials and research to improve patient outcomes and reduce disparities in care. Through the NCORP, patients have access to phase II–III trials.

• Phase II trials test the effectiveness of treatments.
• Phase III trials test new treatments against the current standard of care.

Clinical trials let us evaluate the effectiveness of new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. The National Cancer Institute approves, oversees and provides funding for a large percentage of clinical trials conducted each year in the United States. Geisinger's participation in this network gives you access to valuable clinical trials — without the hassle and expense of traveling to a major metropolitan area.

Leading-edge research, delivered locally. 

Geisinger patients with cancer have the unique opportunity to participate in one or more of some 100 clinical research trials that involve new treatment protocols for many cancers. Plus, they have the chance to participate in a select trial of new cancer drugs. Screening and prevention trials for people at risk for certain types of cancer are also available. Geisinger research scientists are investigating a number of projects designed to explore cancer trends in this region and how they may affect the next generation of residents.

What makes Geisinger the best choice for cancer research?

Research, innovation and education are part of our mission. And our integrated clinic-based research department is committed to staying ahead of the game in the field of cancer care. 

• National clinical trials, made local. Only 20% of cancer patients nationwide who participate in cancer research are treated at NCI centers. That means 80% are treated at local sites like Geisinger. We’re able to bring national research opportunities to the local community in Pennsylvania. So our cancer patients can participate without the burden and expense of traveling to a big city.
• Equipped with advanced technology. Investing in state-of-the-art technology such as CyberKnife® and TrueBeam® means superior care for our patients.
• Clinic-based research for integrated care. Because research is integrated into our clinical operations, all Geisinger cancer physicians are trained as clinical investigators and can run clinical trials as part of their treatment approach. 
• Collaborative research opportunities. Geisinger facilitates opportunities to collaborate with other specialists and across research studies at our organization, and we have a direct relationship with researchers and the National Cancer Institute.
• Fellowship-trained cancer specialists. We’re home to one of the region’s largest teams of fellowship-trained cancer specialists, boasting a robust and collegial team of highly specialized physicians. 
• Dedicated ongoing cancer research. We maintain a team of researchers dedicated to cancer research, such as our DETECT study and MyCode teams. We’re also developing innovative new drugs and procedures that directly target specific cancers.