Cancer Center Near Me: USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Finding a trusted cancer center nearby is vital for patients seeking expert care, timely treatment, and access to the latest advances in oncology. Proximity to a comprehensive cancer center ensures not only convenience but also continuity of care and support throughout the cancer journey. The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles is a leading institution recognized nationally for its excellence in cancer research, treatment, and education. As one of the original National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers, USC Norris combines cutting-edge scientific discoveries with personalized patient care.

Its mission centers on reducing the burden of cancer through innovative therapies, prevention strategies, and active community engagement, making it a critical resource for patients in the diverse Los Angeles region and beyond.In this article, we explore USC Norris’s history, facilities, specialized treatments, research programs, patient support services, and how to access care.

How Did USC Norris Become One of the Nation’s First NCI-Designated Cancer Centers?

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has a distinguished history spanning over 40 years. Its origins trace back to the early 1970s following the passage of the National Cancer Act in 1971, which spurred efforts led by USC’s School of Medicine to establish a comprehensive cancer center. Officially designated in 1973, USC Norris was among the first eight cancer centers in the United States to receive the prestigious National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer center status. This designation reflects the center’s excellence in cancer research, treatment, prevention, and education.

Being one of the original eight NCI-designated centers highlights USC Norris’s longstanding leadership in oncology. The NCI designation is significant for patients as it ensures access to the latest advances in cancer therapies, including innovative clinical trials and multidisciplinary care teams. This status guarantees that USC Norris integrates cutting-edge scientific discoveries with personalized patient care, offering comprehensive treatment options that improve outcomes. Patients benefit from a collaborative approach involving over 250 physicians and scientists dedicated to translating research breakthroughs into effective therapies.

Where Is the USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital Located?

The USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital is a 60-bed facility located at 1441 Eastlake Avenue in Los Angeles, serving as the clinical centerpiece of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fully integrated within the Keck Medicine of USC and the University of Southern California campus, the hospital offers patients access to a wide range of specialized cancer treatments in a multidisciplinary setting. This integration ensures seamless coordination between research, education, and patient care, fostering innovative and personalized treatment approaches.

Recent expansions have enhanced outpatient services, including the Newport Beach Radiation Oncology and Imaging Center, which provides advanced radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging closer to patients’ homes. The hospital and its affiliated centers prioritize patient comfort and convenience, offering numerous support services such as counseling, nutrition guidance, and rehabilitation programs. These patient-friendly amenities aim to address the holistic needs of individuals undergoing cancer treatment, ensuring comprehensive care beyond medical interventions.

Together, the USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital and its satellite facilities represent a modern, accessible, and compassionate environment dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art oncology care to the diverse communities of Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

What Types of Cancer Are Treated at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center?

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center offers specialized care in 13 key cancer treatment areas, each supported by expert multidisciplinary teams. These include breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genetic counseling, gynecological cancers, head and neck cancers, hematology (blood cancers), lung cancer, melanoma, neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, sarcoma, skin cancer, and urologic oncology. This broad spectrum ensures comprehensive expertise for a wide range of cancer types.

The center’s approach is highly collaborative, involving over 250 physicians and scientists who work together to develop and deliver personalized, precision medicine tailored to each patient’s unique genetic and clinical profile. This multidisciplinary model integrates the latest research findings with clinical care to optimize treatment outcomes.

USC Norris is known for pioneering innovative therapies and treatment protocols. Examples include advanced radiation techniques such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery for brain tumors, novel cellular immunotherapies for blood cancers, and liquid biopsy technologies that enable noninvasive tumor monitoring. The center also emphasizes genetic counseling to guide risk assessment and preventive strategies.

By combining specialized expertise, cutting-edge technology, and personalized care plans, USC Norris ensures patients receive the most effective and individualized cancer treatment available today.

Physicians and staff are seen waving in a screenshot of the 31st annual Festival of Life hosted by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center on June 5, 2021. (Image/USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center)

How Does USC Norris Advance Cancer Research Through Its Five Transdisciplinary Programs?

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center organizes its research efforts into five transdisciplinary programs that span from basic science to population health, fostering collaboration among laboratory, clinical, and epidemiological researchers to accelerate cancer discoveries and translate them into improved patient care.

Tumor Microenvironment: This program studies the complex interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding environment, uncovering mechanisms that drive tumor growth and resistance to therapy. Insights here have led to novel therapeutic targets. Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation: Researchers focus on genetic and epigenetic changes that control cancer development and progression. Recent discoveries include how DNA methylation inhibitors trigger antiviral responses to kill leukemia cells and identification of biomarkers predicting treatment response.

• Translational and Clinical Sciences: This program bridges laboratory findings and patient care, advancing new treatments into clinical trials. Highlights include development of combination epigenetic and immunotherapies for gastrointestinal cancers, novel immunological targets in leukemia, and liquid biopsy technologies for early cancer detection and monitoring.
• Cancer Epidemiology: Leveraging long-term population data, this team investigates cancer risk factors across diverse racial and ethnic groups in Los Angeles. They have identified genetic and environmental contributors to prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers and developed polygenic risk scores now entering clinical trials.
• Cancer Control Research: Focused on prevention, screening, and survivorship, this program designs and disseminates interventions such as school-based skin cancer prevention and HPV vaccination programs targeting underserved communities. Key breakthroughs include novel precervical cancer treatments, cellular therapies for blood cancers with reduced toxicity, and liquid biopsy innovations enabling noninvasive tumor monitoring.

Clinical trials at USC Norris provide patients early access to cutting-edge therapies under rigorous evaluation, often before FDA approval, enhancing treatment options. Given Los Angeles’s diverse population, USC Norris prioritizes research on cancer disparities, using extensive surveillance data and geographic mapping to understand and reduce inequities in cancer burden. The Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Center for Cancer Drug Discovery exemplifies USC Norris’s commitment to developing more effective, less toxic therapies, especially for cancers disproportionately affecting underserved populations.

How Can Patients Access Care at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center?

Patients can access USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center services primarily through physician referrals. Referring doctors or healthcare professionals can initiate the process by calling dedicated numbers such as (323) 865-3300 or (323) 442-4827, or by completing an online referral form. For urgent inpatient transfers, the USC Transfer Center streamlines admissions with a single call to (855) USC-BEDS (855-872-2337), connecting referring providers directly to USC specialists for rapid clinical acceptance and coordination. This system ensures timely, efficient access to expert oncology care.

Once enrolled, patients benefit from personalized care plans developed by multidisciplinary teams that tailor treatment to individual needs. USC Norris offers patient navigation services to assist with appointment scheduling, treatment coordination, and support throughout the cancer journey. Genetic counseling is available to assess inherited cancer risks and guide preventive strategies. Preventive care programs further support early detection and risk reduction.

To enhance convenience and accessibility, USC Norris provides telemedicine and digital health options, allowing patients to consult with specialists remotely for follow-ups, symptom management, and counseling. Care coordination extends beyond the center, with strong partnerships linking USC Norris to other USC medical departments and community healthcare providers, ensuring comprehensive, continuous care tailored to each patient’s circumstances.

This integrated approach simplifies navigating complex cancer treatments while maximizing access to advanced therapies and supportive resources.

How Does USC Norris Engage the Community and Support Cancer Survivors?

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrates a strong commitment to community health and education through its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), which focuses on reducing cancer disparities in Los Angeles County. Led by experts like Dr. Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, COE addresses major cancer burdens such as breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and liver cancers by promoting prevention, screening, and education tailored to the diverse local population. The office acts as a vital bridge between the community and USC Norris researchers, ensuring that scientific advances translate into effective outreach and care.

The center offers a variety of programs supporting cancer survivorship, mental health, and wellness. Initiatives like the Festival of Life and the Patient Perspective series provide platforms for education and emotional support. Patients and caregivers benefit from numerous support groups and counseling services designed to address the psychological and social challenges of cancer. Additionally, the Image Enhancement Center helps patients cope with post-treatment body image concerns, fostering confidence and well-being.

USC Norris actively engages underserved populations, including LGBTQ+ communities, through culturally tailored outreach efforts. Community health workers trained by USC Norris deliver free cancer education to thousands of residents in neighborhoods such as Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights. The center participates in health fairs and screenings at events like the Mariachi Festival and the Skid Row Carnival of Love, bringing vital cancer prevention and early detection services directly to the community.

Partnerships with organizations such as the Lazarex Cancer Foundation and grant funding support these outreach activities, helping to reduce financial barriers and improve access to clinical trials. The center also collaborates with local clinics and hospitals to enhance navigation and follow-up care, ensuring patients receive comprehensive support from diagnosis through survivorship.

Through these multifaceted efforts, USC Norris not only advances cancer treatment but also empowers communities with education, resources, and compassionate care tailored to their unique needs.

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What Are USC Norris’s Strategic Goals for 2023–2025 in Cancer Care and Innovation?

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 2023-2025 Implementation Strategy outlines a clear vision for advancing cancer care by expanding access, integrating mental health services, and emphasizing preventive care. Recognizing the significant health needs within the Los Angeles community, the center is committed to delivering equitable, patient-centered care that addresses both medical and psychosocial aspects of cancer.

Key initiatives include broadening health education and outreach programs to raise awareness about early detection and cancer prevention. The integration of mental health resources aims to reduce stigma and improve emotional well-being for patients and their families, with partnerships established to ensure continuous psychiatric support. Preventive practices are being enhanced through community health fairs, screenings, and telehealth services, particularly targeting underserved populations.

In parallel, USC Norris is investing in emerging technologies and precision medicine approaches, such as advanced genomic profiling and personalized treatment protocols, to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effectiveness. These innovations are complemented by robust clinical trial programs that provide patients with access to novel therapies.

A central focus remains on reducing cancer disparities by tailoring programs to the diverse demographics of Los Angeles, including culturally sensitive outreach and support for LGBTQ+ communities. Through these strategic efforts, USC Norris aims to improve outcomes for all populations while fostering innovation and holistic care.

For More Information You Can visit USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Written by Aharon Tsaturyan MD