Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment and Support at the GW Cancer Center
The GW Cancer Center is a collaboration between GW Hospital, The GW Medical Faculty Associates and the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences to expand GW’s efforts in the fight against cancer.
The Center provides exemplary clinical services for prompt detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as support programs and follow-up care.
Learn more about the GW Cancer Center →
Schedule an In-Person or Virtual Appointment with the GW Cancer Center
Please fill out our general appointment form online or call our referral service at 888-4GW-DOCS to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. Virtual Health enables you to speak with providers using your phone, tablet or computer.
Get Screened for Cancer at the GW Cancer Center
Cancer screenings can help detect cancer early, which helps reduce death rates. The GW Cancer Center offers advanced screening procedures for a wide range of cancers.
Learn how to get screened for cancer →
The GW Cancer Center Specialty Cancer Services
Breast Cancer Care for Women
The GW Comprehensive Breast Center provides multi-disciplinary breast care services for the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer using state-of-the-art technologies unavailable at any other breast center in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The Center's spa-like interior offers a comforting setting for patients to receive comprehensive care from internationally recognized specialists at the GW Cancer Center.
Learn more about breast care services at the GW Comprehensive Breast Center →
GW Cancer Center's Radiation Oncology Center — A Leader in Innovative Cancer Treatment
Radiation therapy is used in more than half of all cancer treatments today and these therapies are becoming increasingly more effective with new technologies that permit ultra-precise dose delivery. The dedicated and supportive staff at GW Cancer Center's Radiation Oncology Center provide each patient with personalized world class medical care and use many of the latest medical treatment techniques to treat cancer, such as:
Learn more about radiation therapy at the GW Cancer Center's Radiation Oncology Center →
Innovative Treatment for HPV-Positive Patients at the GW Cancer Center
Radiation is often not needed in HPV-positive head and neck cancer. Many patients can be given chemotherapy alone to shrink the tumor until it’s small enough to be surgically removed.
Learn more about how the GW Cancer Center is using this innovative treatment at nature.com →
The GW Cancer Center Patient Experience
Janet Campbell (Breast Cancer)
"GW Hospital and the GW Cancer Center was one of the best places that I could have ended up”
Janet was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She's grateful that she chose GW Cancer Center for her treatment because they were there for her from day one.
Joy West (Vocal Cord Cancer)
“The care that I received at GW Hospital was extraordinary, it was impressive and it made me feel special.”
Joy had stage three vocal cord cancer. She was treated at the GW Cancer Center and is now cancer free. Hear her inspiring story:
Claudia Acosta (Colon Cancer)
“My care at GW Hospital was excellent. I felt prioritized.”
Claudia was 20 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. The doctors at GW Hospital treated her cancer and helped her deliver a healthy baby girl.
Jeffrey Gray (Prostate Cancer)
“Robotic surgery is an excellent way to go and I recommend it at GW Hospital.”
Jeffrey is a prostate cancer survivor, thanks to the minimally invasive surgery he received from urology specialist Michael J. Whalen, MD, at the GW Cancer Center. Now he’s back to doing the things he loves.
Partnerships and Research
When it comes to cancer, GW Cancer Center has a distinguished national and international reputation of high academic achievement, groundbreaking research and innovative technology.
As part of an academic medical center, GW Cancer Center works closely with the GW School of Medicine and Health Services (SMHS) and GW Medical Faculty Associates in the areas of cancer research and patient care. GW Cancer Center's patients have access to a variety of clinical trials and educational opportunities through The GW Cancer Institute. Housed within SMHS, The GW Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing groundbreaking research, educational programs and community outreach to the Washington metropolitan area.
Washington, DC is ranked highest in overall cancer mortality in the nation. From a research and outreach perspective, the GW Cancer Institute seeks to further understand why certain cancers predominate in a community and why certain cancers disproportionately affect certain population groups such as minorities.
The GW Cancer Center brings all efforts of the GW entities together, including GW Hospital, The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The GW Medical Faculty Associates and the Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Have You Been Smoking for at Least 10 Years?
You may be able to join a research study on cancer prevention and get up to $525 for doing it!
Learn more about the clinical trial and how to participate →
The Cancer Annual Report
The Cancer Annual Report provides an overview of the cancer registry data for patients treated at GW Cancer Center and The GW Medical Faculty Associates*, detailing trends in cancer care at GW in comparison to national American Cancer Society data.
- Download the 2018 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2017 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2016 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2015 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2014 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2013 Annual Report (PDF) →
- Download the 2012 Annual Report (PDF) →
*Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of The George Washington University Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
Awards and Recognition
GW Cancer Center has been recognized for the following achievements in cancer:
- U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma Surgery; Prostate Cancer Surgery and Lung Surgery (2024-25)
- National Re-Accreditation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons
- Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
- Blue Distinction Center for Complex and Rare Cancers
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) (2024) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)
The ACS NSQIP is a standards-based data registry designed to improve hospital-wide quality across all surgical departments. ACS NSQIP helps surgical and quality teams make informed decisions about the improvement of quality of care while reducing complications and costs.