Why Southeast Michigan's Top Cancer Center Is Changing How Patients Access Treatment

Karmanos Cancer Institute's new Dearborn location is making world-class cancer care accessible to patients in Wayne County without requiring them to travel to Detroit. As an extension of Michigan's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in southeast Michigan, the 5,000-square-foot facility offers patients access to exclusive treatments, clinical trials, cancer prevention programs, and multidisciplinary teams of cancer specialists—a comprehensive approach you cannot find at a community hospital.

What Services Does the Dearborn Cancer Center Offer?

The Karmanos Cancer Institute-Dearborn location provides a full range of oncology services under one roof. Patients have access to specialized care across multiple cancer types and treatment approaches, eliminating the need to coordinate appointments across different facilities.

• Screening and Prevention: Early detection programs designed to catch cancer before symptoms develop, including digital mammography for breast cancer screening.
• Surgical Oncology: Expert surgeons who specialize in removing tumors and affected tissue as part of comprehensive cancer treatment plans.
• Medical Oncology: Specialists who prescribe and manage chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other systemic cancer treatments.
• Radiation Oncology: Radiation therapy specialists who use targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
• Hematology Oncology: Experts in blood cancers and bone marrow disorders, including conditions like multiple myeloma.
• Genetic Counseling: Counselors who help patients understand inherited cancer risks and guide family screening decisions.

Why Does Local Access to NCI-Designated Care Matter?

The difference between receiving care at a comprehensive cancer center versus a community hospital is significant. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers like Karmanos meet rigorous standards for research, clinical care, and education. This designation means patients in Dearborn now have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and treatment protocols that may not be available elsewhere in Wayne County. The multidisciplinary team approach—where surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation specialists, and genetic counselors collaborate on each patient's care plan—has been shown to improve outcomes and ensure nothing is overlooked.

The facility's focus on cancer prevention and screening is particularly important because early detection dramatically improves survival rates across most cancer types. Digital mammography for breast cancer screening and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer are among the most effective tools for catching cancer at earlier, more treatable stages.

What Makes This Center Stand Out in the Community?

Karmanos Cancer Institute-Dearborn brings together a team of highly specialized physicians with expertise across multiple cancer types. The center's physicians include medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and hematology specialists—each bringing deep expertise to their field. This breadth of specialization means patients benefit from collaborative decision-making rather than being treated in isolation by a single provider.

The center's commitment to clinical trials is another major advantage. Clinical trials give patients access to emerging immunotherapy approaches and novel drug combinations that may offer better outcomes than standard treatments. For patients with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers, participation in a clinical trial can sometimes be a life-changing opportunity.

Beyond individual patient care, Karmanos has also been recognized for its excellence. The institute was listed among the 2025 Best Oncology Programs in the United States and received the 2026 Women's Choice Award as one of America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care. These recognitions reflect the quality of care and patient outcomes the center delivers.

For patients in Wayne County, the opening of Karmanos Cancer Institute-Dearborn eliminates geographic barriers to accessing the region's most advanced cancer care. Whether you need screening to catch cancer early, treatment for a newly diagnosed cancer, or access to clinical trials for advanced disease, this facility brings comprehensive, NCI-designated oncology services directly to your community.