Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
At the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, we help you fight cancer on all fronts. No cancer is rare to us.
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Orange County, we treat more patients with cancer — and more complex cases — than any other healthcare provider in our region.
We also offer the only adult hematopoietic stem-cell transplant services in Orange County, allowing many patients to get this life-saving treatment near home.
Our patients receive the best possible care because, as a comprehensive cancer center, we:
- Integrate innovative research with the most advanced diagnostics, treatments, rehabilitation, support and survivorship services
- Offer one of the largest early phase clinical trials programs in Southern California, giving our patients access to promising therapies before they are available elsewhere
Our multidisciplinary team of world-class oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, social workers and dietitians works together seamlessly to treat cancers of all types and degrees of severity. Our cancer experts also are available to provide second opinions ›
To make an appointment, call 714-456-8000 or submit an online request ›
Learn more about the cancer screening services we offer ›
View our clinical locations ›
Watch our video about the new Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center & Ambulatory Care building at UCI Health — Irvine
Learn more about our multidisciplinary cancer teams and related services, including:
Located on the UCI Medical Center campus in Orange and Irvine, the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is affiliated with the UCI School of Medicine and the university's schools of basic sciences. These affiliations give our patients the expertise of a scientific community that is internationally renowned for its work in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
We are recognized for providing the highest quality care by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification Program, which is an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
We are also a Blue Distinction® Center for Complex and Rare Cancers. This designation is given by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to centers offering the full range of patient assessment, treatment planning, complex inpatient care and major surgical treatments for adults — all delivered by teams with distinguished expertise and subspecialty training for complex and rare cancers. Learn more about our Blue Distinction Center designation ›
Research-based care
The cancer center is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, and the only one in Orange County. This recognition reflects our expertise in translating leading-edge scientific findings into clinical cancer treatment on all levels. It also underscores our commitment to cancer prevention research as well as our extensive community outreach and education programs.
We also have one of the largest early-phase clinical research programs in Southern California, giving patients access to promising experimental medicines through clinical trials.
At the cancer center, you are cared for by a world-class team of cancer specialists, including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and pathologists, as well as highly trained nurses, rehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, social workers and dietitians.
Leading-edge technologies
You have access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, including TrueBeam™ STx radiotherapy, a groundbreaking method of delivering powerful, targeted radiation faster and more precisely than with conventional radiotherapy.
Our modern infusion center allows our patients to undergo chemotherapy in privacy and comfort, attended by our team of experienced and compassionate nurses.
Our cancer specialists are leaders in Orange County and Southern California in performing HIPEC, or hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy, for late-stage and recurrent colorectal, gastric, ovarian and other cancers in the abdominal area.
As a comprehensive cancer center, we treat every type of cancer, including rare and aggressive forms, as well as those that afflict young people in the prime of their lives.
We emphasize a coordinated, patient-centered approach to care, with our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists working together to ensure you and your loved ones have the best possible experience. And as part of Orange County's only academic health system, we are able to provide leading-edge care for any other medical needs you may have.
Personalized care
For cancer treatment to be effective, we believe treatment must be unique and personalized for each patient.
At the cancer center, each patient begins by undergoing a comprehensive clinical evaluation with a wide range of diagnostic technologies. These may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans, endoscopy, X-rays and biopsies.
Our cancer specialists assess your condition and identify appropriate therapies as quickly as possible. We work closely with you and your family to discuss potential treatment options and encourage questions. One of our goals is to help you confront any fears and develop a proactive attitude that encourages healing.
Individualized treatment
Treatments and therapies may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, individually or in combination, depending on your personal health and the type and stage of your cancer. In some cases, patients may undergo treatment to reduce a tumor prior to surgery, an approach shown to improve survival and lower the rate of recurrence for some cancers.
During and after treatment, our cancer center dietitians, social workers and rehabilitation therapists work closely with you to support your recovery.
Cancer Support and Survivorship Services focuses on treating the whole patient, providing assistance with symptom management, supportive care and survivorship planning.
Clinical trials often compare the most accepted cancer treatments with new treatments that our physicians and researchers hope will be more effective.
We have one of the largest early-phase clinical research programs in Southern California, giving patients access to promising experimental medicines in the very earliest studies. In the last decade, we have increased patient access to our more than 300 clinical trials by 90%.
Our researchers are at the forefront not only in treating cancer, but also in preventing it. Some of our clinical research is focused on prevention of breast, colon, esophageal, liver, pancreatic and prostate cancers, in both phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials, as well as phase 1 trials.
This means you may have access to new therapies for your condition years ahead of the general public.
Search our clinical trials ›
