Top 10 Lung Cancer Treatment Centers in the United States — And Why Asian Patients Are Turning to the U.S. for Second Opinions
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- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Author: Medical Editor Iriz
Introduction
Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide, with more than 2.2 million new cases diagnosed annually. While many countries offer competent care, the United States stands out for its innovation, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary treatment models making it a top destination for patients seeking world-class treatment and second opinions, especially from Asia.
This article explores the Top 10 Lung Cancer Treatment Centers in the U.S., and also explains why Asian patients should consider U.S. consultations, and how Medebound HEALTH facilitates easy and timely access to expert U.S. doctors via video consultations.
Why U.S. Lung Cancer Centers Lead the World
U.S. hospitals offer:
Cutting-edge therapies like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and minimally invasive surgery
Access to the latest clinical trials for rare or drug-resistant lung cancers
Molecular testing and personalized medicine
Multidisciplinary care teams that include oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, thoracic surgeons, and pulmonologists
Faster adoption of FDA-approved drugs years before they become available elsewhere
Top 10 Lung Cancer Treatment Centers in the U.S.
1. MD Anderson Cancer Center – Houston, TX
Specialities:
Thoracic Center: Provides personalised care for all types and stages of lung cancer, including those considered untreatable elsewhere.
Proton Therapy Center: Pioneered concurrent proton therapy and chemotherapy for lung cancer, implementing intensity-modulated proton therapy for moving thoracic cancers.
2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – New York, NY
Specialities:
Thoracic Surgery Service: Offers comprehensive surgical care for thoracic malignancies, treating complex cases and patients deemed high-risk elsewhere.
Multidisciplinary Team: Includes thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists focused solely on lung cancer care.
3. Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
Specialities:
Multidisciplinary Approach: Teams of oncologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and other specialists collaborate to provide coordinated care.
Comprehensive Care: Offers personalised, innovative treatment for a wide range of thoracic cancers, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
4. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Boston, MA
Specialities:
Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology: Focuses on treating lung cancer and other thoracic cancers with a team-based approach. Fred Hutch+1externaltalent-mskcc.icims.com+1
Advanced Fellowship Program: Offers specialised training in lung and esophageal cancer treatment and research. Mayo Clinic+2Dana-Farber Cancer Institute+2externaltalent-mskcc.icims.com+2
5. Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, OH
Specialities:
Comprehensive Treatment Options: Provides surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and targeted drugs for lung cancer.
Multidisciplinary Team: Includes pulmonologists, pathologists, oncologists, and thoracic surgeons collaborating on patient care.
6. Johns Hopkins Hospital – Baltimore, MD
Specialities:
Lung Cancer Program: Focuses on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment to provide the best possible prognosis.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Offers advanced surgical options with benefits in recovery and aesthetics.
7. UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center – Los Angeles, CA
Specialities:
Comprehensive Care: Treats all types of lung cancer using advanced technology and tailored treatment plans.
Thoracic Oncology Program: Provides access to surgical procedures, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials.
8. University of Colorado Cancer Center – Aurora, CO
Specialities:
Multidisciplinary Team: Specialises in treating non-small cell and small cell lung cancers with a broad catchment area.
Genetic Testing: Screens every lung cancer patient for oncogenic drivers like ALK and EGFR.
9. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Fred Hutch/University of Washington) – Seattle, WA
Specialities:
Comprehensive Treatment: Offers surgery, chemotherapy, immuno therapy, targeted therapy, and proton therapy based on individual cancer characteristics.
Expert Care Team: Provides multidisciplinary lung care informed by the latest clinical and scientific research.
10. Stanford Cancer Institute – Stanford, CA
Specialities:
Advanced Surgical Techniques: Specialises in various lung cancer resections with low risk and high cure potential.
Innovative Diagnosis and Treatment: Utilises advanced technologies for precise diagnosis and treatment of thoracic and lung cancers.
Why Asian Patients Are Seeking U.S. Second Opinions
For patients in China, India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, the gap in access to novel treatments and precision medicine is widening. Here’s why many Asian patients choose to consult U.S. cancer centres:
1. Limited Access to New Drugs
Drugs like Osimertinib, Amivantamab, or Lorbrena may take months or years to be approved in Asian markets. U.S. hospitals often provide these as standard treatment or through clinical trials.
2. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
In some cases, patients may be misdiagnosed or staged incorrectly. A second opinion from a U.S. oncologist often reveals more accurate pathology and genetic profiling.
3. Lack of Personalised Medicine
Precision oncology — using genetic data to customize treatment — is standard in the U.S. but often unavailable or unaffordable in many Asian countries.
4. Language & Cultural Barriers
With services like Medebound HEALTH, patients receive consultation summaries in native languages, making it easier to understand and share with local doctors.
Patient Story: From No Options in Asia to New Hope in the U.S.
A 57-year-old businessman from Asia, was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation at one of Asia hospitals, his cancer continued to progress. His local oncologists told him that no further treatment options were available and advised only palliative care.
Feeling hopeless, Mr. Zhang’s family began researching international options and came across Medebound HEALTH. Within just three days, Medebound's bilingual care team had gathered and translated Mr. Zhang’s pathology, CT scans, and treatment history. He was quickly matched with a top thoracic oncologist at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center — a specialist in rare EGFR mutations and clinical trials.
During the video consultation, the U.S. doctor reviewed Mr. Zhang’s entire case and noticed that a specific genetic test (for the EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation) had not been performed in China. Medebound helped facilitate advanced molecular testing through a U.S.-based lab.
The results revealed a rare EGFR mutation that made Mr. Zhang eligible for a targeted therapy not yet available in Asia. Through Medebound’s guidance, Mr. Zhang was referred to a clinical trial site in Asia affiliated with the same U.S. centre. Within two weeks, he began the new treatment.
We thought we had reached the end, said Mr. Zhang’s daughter. But this second opinion gave us a new path and real hope. The U.S. doctor saw something our local doctors missed.
How Medebound HEALTH Bridges the Gap
Medebound HEALTH is a U.S.-based health navigation company that connects international patients — especially from Asia — with top U.S. cancer experts via video consultations and written second opinions. Here’s how we help:
Access to Top 1% Oncologists
We connect patients with lung cancer experts from MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and more — all board-certified specialists with deep expertise.
Fast Turnaround Time
Receive a written second opinion in 7–10 business days or schedule a live video consultation in as little as 72 hours.
Multilingual Support
We offer full case translation services and summary reports in Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, and more. A bilingual care team supports you at every step.
No Travel Needed
All consultations happen virtually saving you travel costs, visa hassles, and long waits for U.S. hospital admissions.
Medical Record Assistance
Our team helps gather and translate your imaging, pathology, and reports to meet U.S. consultation requirements.
How to Get Started with Medebound HEALTH
Medebound HEALTH is dedicated to helping international patients—particularly from Asia—gain access to world-class cancer care in the United States. We specialize in facilitating:
Remote video consultations with top U.S. oncologists
Expert review and interpretation of pathology reports and genetic test results
Guidance for clinical trial enrollment and access to cutting-edge, experimental therapies
Comprehensive support for travel logistics, visa processing, and hospital admissions for those pursuing treatment in the U.S.
Our mission is to eliminate barriers to advanced cancer treatment by seamlessly connecting patients to leading medical experts and the most innovative care—wherever they are in the world.
Contact Us:
Website: www.medeboundhealth.com
WhatsApp: +1 7182138508
Final Thoughts
Lung cancer treatment doesn’t need to be limited by borders. The U.S. offers unparalleled expertise, and with Medebound HEALTH, patients from Asia and around the world can access it quickly and affordably — without ever stepping on a plane.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance. Medebound HEALTH and the author do not endorse any specific treatments or medical centers mentioned. Individual results may vary, and treatment decisions should be made in consultation with your healthcare team.
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