The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (Hillman), previously titled the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in the Hillman Cancer Center in the Shadyside neighborhood of

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, adjacent to

UPMC Shadyside UPMC Shadyside is a nationally ranked, 520-bed non-profit, tertiary, teaching hospital located in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UPMC Shadyside is a part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and grouped ...

. The only NCI-designated cancer center in

Western Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania is a region in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, covering the western third of the state. Pittsburgh is the region's principal city, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic ...

, Hillman is composed of collaborative academic and research efforts between the

University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is composed of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to the univers ...

, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and Carnegie Mellon University. Hillman provides clinical cancer care to some 74,000 patients treated at its facilities at both the Hillman Cancer Center location in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh and at UPMC-affiliated sites throughout Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and overseas locations. Founded in 1984, Hillman became the youngest cancer center in history to achieve NCI-designation. As of 2007, Hillman had received nearly $200 million in funding from the

National Cancer Institute The National Cancer Institute (NCI) coordinates the United States National Cancer Program and is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is one of eleven agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ...

, which ranks it as one of the top ten cancer research institutes.

Cancer institute

The Pittsburgh Cancer Institute was founded in 1985 under the direction of Ronald B. Herberman, MD. In 1990, the center earned NCI designation. The Hillman Cancer Center was opened in 2002 and housed the clinical services for UPMC Cancer Centers and research facilities for the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Hillman is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in

. Most Hillman faculty maintain academic appointments at the

and physician-scientists have their clinical appointments through UPMC hospitals. Some Hillman members are affiliated with the neighboring Carnegie Mellon University. Four target research areas of molecular and medical

oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''� ...

at the institute include: cancer development and progression; identification of new

biomarkers In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, pa ...

for improved cancer detection and diagnosis; the development of novel therapeutics for cancer treatment; and cancer prevention measures. In 2017, Robert L. Ferris was named director of the UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers. In December 2020, earned a five-year renewal as a comprehensive cancer center from NCI and was awarded a $30 million grant. Hillman works with UPMC Cancer Centers Network to translate the latest research advances to clinical application for patients. Hillman also offers education, training programs and fellowships, in conjunction with related schools within the University of Pittsburgh. In June 2021, the hospital completed a three-year expansion project.

Cancer center network

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers the latest advances in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment to patients at UPMC-affiliated locations throughout the Pittsburgh region and abroad. The centers combine to create a network of more than 2,300 physicians, scientists, administrative staff, and other health care professionals that provide the latest care, technology, and treatments, as well as clinical trials, to over 36,000 patients each year. UPMC CancerCenter encompass 13 areas of expertise, each focusing on a specific type or treatment of cancer. These include programs devoted to melanoma,

brain cancers A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. These can be further classified as primary tumors, which start within the brain, and secondar ...

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a r ...

, colon and

gastrointestinal The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans and ...

cancers,

head and neck cancer Head and neck cancer develops from tissues in the lip and oral cavity (mouth), larynx (throat), salivary glands, nose, sinuses or the skin of the face. The most common types of head and neck cancers occur in the lip, mouth, and larynx. Symptoms ...

leukemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ...

s and

lymphoma Lymphoma is a group of blood and lymph tumors that develop from lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). In current usage the name usually refers to just the cancerous versions rather than all such tumours. Signs and symptoms may include enla ...

s, liver cancer,

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, malign ...

, gynecologic cancers,

prostate The prostate is both an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and phys ...

and

urologic Urology (from Ancient Greek, Greek wikt:οὖρον, οὖρον ''ouron'' "urine" and ''wiktionary:-logia, -logia'' "study of"), also known as genitourinary surgery, is the branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of t ...

cancers, and stem cell transplantation.

Pediatric Pediatrics ( also spelled ''paediatrics'' or ''pædiatrics'') is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, paediatrics covers many of their youth until the ...

cancers are treated by specialists at the

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP), popularly known simply as Children's, is part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the only hospital in Greater Pittsburgh dedicated solely to the care of infants, children, teens and ...

Locations

The network works as a hub-and-satellite system of cancer care services at locations that are tied to the central hub and the flagship facility of the UPMC cancer center network, the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The UPMC network covers a geographic area of more than around greater Pittsburgh, comprising 180 affiliated

oncologist Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

s at over 30 locations throughout

and Ohio and includes a growing list of international locations starting in Dublin and Waterford,

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

and a radiotherapy center in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

. In November, 2008, UPMC announced a partnership with

GE Healthcare GE HealthCare is a subsidiary of American multinational conglomerate General Electric incorporated in New York and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. As of 2017, it is a manufacturer and distributor of diagnostic imaging agents and radiopharma ...

to open 25 additional cancer treatment centers across

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

and the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...

over the next ten years.

Pittsburgh locations

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (Primary Location), Pittsburgh, PA *Mary Hillman Jennings Radiation Oncology Center at Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at Magee- Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at

UPMC Mercy UPMC Mercy is a main hospital facility of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and is located in the Uptown section of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Duquesne University, and a few blocks from the PPG Paints Aren ...

, Pittsburgh, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC St. Margaret, Pittsburgh, PA

Locations north of Pittsburgh

*Butler Health System Radiation Oncology, Butler, PA *The Regional Cancer Center, Erie,

Erie, PA Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 a ...

*UPMC/Jameson Cancer Center, New Castle, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Greenville, Greenville, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Natrona Heights, Natrona Heights, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center New Castle, New Castle, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon, Farrell, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Northwest, Seneca, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant, Pittsburgh, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant North, Cranberry Township, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Chautauqua, Jamestown, New York

Locations south of Pittsburgh

*Jefferson Regional Radiation Oncology, Clairton, PA *Robert E. Eberly Pavilion, Uniontown, PA *Washington Health System Radiation Oncology,

Washington, PA Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania. A part of the Greater Pittsburgh area in the southwestern part of the state, the city is home to Washington & Jefferson College and Pony League baseball. The popula ...

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Uniontown, Uniontown, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Washington, Washington, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Jefferson, West Mifflin, PA *St. Clair Hospital Radiation Oncology, Mt. Lebanon, PA

Locations east of Pittsburgh

*Arnold Palmer Cancer Center,

Greensburg, PA Greensburg is a city in and the county seat of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city lies within the Laurel Highlands and the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau. The city is ...

*Arnold Palmer Medical Oncology, Mount Pleasant, PA *Arnold Palmer Medical Oncology, Greensburg, PA *John P. Murtha Regional Cancer Center,

Johnstown, PA Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,411 as of the 2020 census. Located east of Pittsburgh, Johnstown is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, whi ...

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC East,

Monroeville, PA Monroeville is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It is located about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh. Monroeville is a suburb with mixed residential and commercial developments. As of the 2020 census, Monroeville was ho ...

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Indiana,

Indiana, PA Indiana is a borough (Pennsylvania), borough in and the county seat of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Indiana County in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The population was 13,564 at the 2020 census, and since 201 ...

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Windber,

Windber, PA Windber is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States, about south of Johnstown. It was at one time a place of industrial activities which included coal mining, lumbering, and the manufacture of fire brick. In 1897, the community ...

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Monroeville, Monroeville, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC McKeesport, McKeesport, PA UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Altoona, PA

Altoona, PA Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the Altoona Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The population was 43,963 at the time of the 2020 Census, making it the eighteenth most populous city in Pennsylvania. ...

Locations west of Pittsburgh

*UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Beaver,

Beaver, PA Beaver is a borough in and the county seat of Beaver County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is located at the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio Rivers, approximately northwest of Pittsburgh. As of the 2020 census, the borough population ...

*Heritage Valley Radiation Oncology, Beaver, Beaver, PA *Heritage Valley Radiation Oncology, Coraopolis, PA *UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Sewickley Medical Oncology,

Sewickley, PA Sewickley is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, west northwest of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. It is a residential suburb of Pittsburgh. The population was 3,827 according to the 2010 census. The Sewickley Bridge crosses the Ohio ...

*Tony Teramana Medical Oncology, Steubenville, OH

International locations

*Beacon Hospital Cancer Centre,

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 c ...

*UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre,

Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...

, Ireland *UPMC San Pietro FBF Advanced Radiotherapy Center,

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

Flagship facility

The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh is the flagship facility for the clinical services and research activities. The $130 million, 350,000-square-foot, 5-story facility, designed by Pittsburgh architectural firm IKM, opened in 2002 in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It is located across Centre Avenue from, and connected via a pedestrian bridge to, UPMC Shadyside hospital, where cancer surgery and

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, often abbreviated RT, RTx, or XRT, is a therapy using ionizing radiation, generally provided as part of cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells and normally delivered by a linear accelerator. Radiat ...

(IMRT) are conducted. The Hillman Cancer Center houses both a research pavilion and a clinical pavilion connected by a three-story atrium. The facility brings together 400 full-time researchers and clinicians and 185 physicians practicing in the UPMC Cancer Centers network. The clinical pavilion offers cancer prevention, risk assessment, detection, treatment, and stress and symptom management services including radiology services such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),

ultrasound Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is not different from "normal" (audible) sound in its physical properties, except that humans cannot hear it. This limit varies ...

, computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET). It also includes waiting rooms equipped with televisions and play areas for children and access to a kitchen stocked with beverages and refreshments. The outpatient clinic, known as The William Cooper Pavilion, honoring the oncologist who led the campaign for philanthropic support of the center, was designed by architectural firm Radelet McCarthy. The Hillman Cancer Center also offers other amenities for patients including valet parking, a patient and family education and information center, a garden and meditation area, a café, a gift shop and a salon where patients can receive salon services and purchase wigs, hats, skin care products and prostheses. In 2012, the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center opened the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers. The center is dedicated to former

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

hockey player

Mario Lemieux Mario Lemieux (; ; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2006, and he assumed ownership of the f ...

, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993 and was cured. The center houses the bronze "Circle of Care" statue by

Tuck Langland Tuck Langland is a sculptor who lives in Granger, Indiana. His monument-size bronze figures are featured in hospitals, churches, private collections, museums, sculpture gardens, and dozens of other places. He is perhaps best known for his two po ...

Granger, Indiana Granger is a census-designated place (CDP) in Clay and Harris townships, St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 30,465 at the 2010 census. Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and the South Bend Community School C ...

Notable people associated with the Institute

* Jane A. Cauley, Department of

Epidemiology Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population. It is a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evide ...

References

External links

UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterUPMC Hillman Cancer Center research
{{authority control Cancer organizations based in the United States Medical research institutes in the United States University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh Medical Center NCI-designated cancer centers 1984 establishments in Pennsylvania Organizations based in Pittsburgh