Last Updated: August 10, 2026
What Are the Best Cancer Hospitals in New York in 2026?
If you are looking for the best cancer hospitals in New York, the strongest choices include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Northwell Health, Stony Brook Cancer Center and Maimonides Cancer Center.
For highly complex, rare or advanced cancers, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is one of the strongest cancer-focused choices in New York, while NYU Langone, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia offer major academic medical systems with extensive multidisciplinary services. Outside New York City, Roswell Park in Buffalo and Wilmot Cancer Institute in Rochester are particularly important cancer centers.
This 2026 guide evaluates hospitals using several factors rather than relying on one ranking alone. These include NCI designation, cancer specialization, research activity, clinical trials, multidisciplinary treatment, advanced therapies, hospital reputation and publicly available patient-review signals.
How We Selected the Top Cancer Hospitals in New York
Choosing a cancer hospital is different from choosing a general hospital. Cancer treatment can involve surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, genetics, imaging, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, clinical trials and supportive care.
For this ranking, we considered:
- NCI Cancer Center or Comprehensive Cancer Center designation
- Breadth of cancer specialties
- Cancer research and clinical trials
- Advanced treatment programs
- Multidisciplinary cancer care
- Reputation among specialists and academic institutions
- Publicly available patient reviews
- Location and accessibility
- Pediatric and adult cancer capabilities
- Ability to manage complex or rare cancers
The National Cancer Institute explains that NCI-designated cancer centers must demonstrate rigorous scientific leadership and state-of-the-art research capabilities. NCI currently recognizes 74 designated cancer centers nationwide, including comprehensive, clinical and basic laboratory centers.
This distinction matters because a hospital’s overall reputation is not necessarily the same as its cancer-care reputation.
Top 10 Cancer Hospitals in New York
| Rank | Cancer Hospital / Center | Location | Major Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | New York City | Dedicated cancer expertise |
| 2 | NYU Langone – Perlmutter Cancer Center | New York City | Academic medicine & advanced oncology |
| 3 | Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center | New York City | Comprehensive cancer care |
| 4 | NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia | New York City | Complex multidisciplinary care |
| 5 | Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center | Bronx | Cancer research & community care |
| 6 | Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center | Buffalo | Dedicated cancer center & research |
| 7 | Wilmot Cancer Institute | Rochester | Regional cancer excellence |
| 8 | Northwell Health Cancer Institute | New York metropolitan area | Large integrated cancer network |
| 9 | Stony Brook Cancer Center | Stony Brook / Long Island | Academic cancer care |
| 10 | Maimonides Cancer Center | Brooklyn | Community-focused cancer services |
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: New York City
For many patients searching for the best cancer hospital in New York, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, commonly called MSK, is the first institution worth researching.
MSK is a cancer-focused institution rather than simply a general hospital with an oncology department. The National Cancer Institute lists MSK as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the institution was among the first centers to receive that designation in 1971.
Why MSK stands out
MSK organizes care around cancer types and disease-management teams. Its programs cover hundreds of cancer subtypes, while doctors and researchers work together across laboratory science, clinical research and patient care.
The center also provides genetic counseling, rehabilitation, symptom management, support programs and survivorship services.
MSK is particularly attractive for patients dealing with:
- Rare cancers
- Complex cancers
- Metastatic disease
- Pediatric cancers
- Blood cancers
- Brain and spinal tumors
- Sarcomas
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Gynecologic cancers
MSK also has a substantial clinical-trial infrastructure. NCI reports that MSK physicians are involved in hundreds of clinical trials covering adult and pediatric cancers.
MSK patient reviews
Publicly available review signals are generally strong, although individual experiences vary. Recent Google-derived reviews published through review aggregators include patients praising the expertise of physicians, nursing teams and access to advanced cancer care.
One recent review described MSK as a leading cancer institution and specifically praised its expertise, clinical-trial access and oncology nursing. Other recent reviews have raised concerns about communication and individual bedside experiences.
That contrast is important: online reviews should be used to understand patient experience, not to determine whether a hospital can medically treat a particular cancer.
Best for
Complex, rare and advanced cancers; second opinions; clinical trials; highly specialized oncology.
2. NYU Langone – Perlmutter Cancer Center
Location: New York City and Long Island
NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center is one of New York’s most important academic cancer programs.
The center combines oncology with the broader resources of NYU Langone Health, giving patients access to surgery, imaging, pathology, radiation oncology, medical oncology and numerous medical subspecialties.
NYU Langone has also maintained a very strong overall hospital reputation. Recent 2026 reporting on the U.S. News hospital rankings placed NYU Langone among the nation’s top 20 hospitals and among the top hospitals in the New York metropolitan region.
NYU’s own current recruitment information describes Perlmutter as a nationally ranked cancer center and highlights its broad cancer services and clinical programs.
What makes Perlmutter different?
Its strengths include:
- Medical oncology
- Hematologic oncology
- Surgical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Cell therapy
- Precision medicine
- Cancer genetics
- Clinical trials
- Cancer prevention
Perlmutter also has multiple locations, which can make ongoing treatment more convenient for patients who live outside Manhattan.
Patient reviews
Reviews vary significantly by location. For example, a Manhattan Perlmutter location recently showed a 4.1/5 rating from 14 Google reviews, with positive comments about knowledgeable and friendly staff. Another Sunset Park location showed 4.2/5 from 21 reviews, with patients praising nurses and radiation teams while one patient mentioned infusion wait times.
These ratings are location-specific and should not be interpreted as a rating for the entire NYU Langone cancer system.
Best for
Patients wanting major academic cancer care with multiple locations and access to NYU Langone’s wider medical network.
3. Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center
Location: New York City
The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center is another major cancer institution in Manhattan.
Mount Sinai identifies Tisch as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and states that its cancer program includes cancer centers of excellence, research, clinical trials, cancer-network services and supportive care.
Mount Sinai’s current cancer information also reports that The Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked No. 6 nationally for cancer by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–26.
Major areas of care
Tisch Cancer Center offers multidisciplinary treatment for many cancers, including:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Gynecologic cancer
- Blood cancers
- Head and neck cancers
- Brain tumors
- Gastrointestinal cancers
Mount Sinai has also invested heavily in immunotherapy and cellular therapies, including CAR-T programs.
Patient reviews
Patient reviews are mixed, as they are with most large metropolitan hospitals. Some patients describe highly compassionate doctors and nurses, while other reviews mention appointment delays or administrative problems.
One current public review source showed criticism regarding wait times, demonstrating why patients should evaluate the specific cancer department and physician rather than judging the entire hospital from a handful of reviews.
Best for
Patients seeking comprehensive academic cancer care, immunotherapy, clinical research and multidisciplinary treatment in Manhattan.
4. NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: New York City
NewYork-Presbyterian’s cancer services are closely connected with Columbia University and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC).
HICCC is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI reports that its research and clinical activities span basic, clinical and population-based cancer research, while its cancer-related patient services are provided in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
This makes the Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian combination particularly valuable for patients with complex conditions requiring several medical specialties.
Why consider Columbia/NYP?
Patients may benefit from access to:
- Medical oncology
- Surgical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Cancer genetics
- Advanced imaging
- Clinical trials
- Organ transplantation
- Complex surgery
- Pediatric cancer care
- Specialized cancer programs
NewYork-Presbyterian also benefits from its close relationship with both Columbia University and Weill Cornell Medicine.
Recent 2026 reporting on U.S. News hospital rankings placed NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and Cornell among the top 20 hospitals nationally and No. 1 regionally alongside NYU Langone and Mount Sinai.
Reviews
Public reviews depend heavily on the specific NewYork-Presbyterian facility. Some cancer-related and hospital reviews praise clinical expertise and compassionate nurses, while others complain about scheduling, waiting and administrative communication.
A separate public listing for NewYork-Presbyterian’s Lower Manhattan Cancer Center showed a 5/5 Google rating, although the sample size was very small.
Best for
Complex cancer cases requiring multiple specialties, academic medicine and access to Columbia’s research infrastructure.
5. Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Bronx, New York City
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center is especially important for patients looking for advanced cancer care in the Bronx.
NCI recognizes Montefiore Einstein as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center combines Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s research capabilities with Montefiore’s clinical system.
One of its distinctive strengths is its focus on reducing cancer disparities and serving a highly diverse population.
Areas of strength
The center provides multidisciplinary care for numerous cancers and supports:
- Cancer diagnosis
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Precision medicine
- Clinical research
- Genetic counseling
- Cancer prevention
- Community outreach
Patient reviews
A current public listing showed approximately 3.8/5 from 32 Google reviews for the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center location examined. Positive comments include appreciation for helpful clinical staff, while some patients report administrative or communication frustrations.
Because the sample is relatively small, the rating should not be treated as a statistical measure of cancer outcomes.
Best for
Patients in the Bronx and surrounding communities seeking NCI-designated comprehensive cancer care with a strong community-health mission.
6. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Buffalo, New York
Roswell Park is one of the most significant cancer institutions outside New York City.
The National Cancer Institute recognizes Roswell Park as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI notes that Roswell Park was founded in 1898 and was among the first three NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers recognized in 1972.
Importantly, Roswell Park was established specifically around cancer research and care rather than being a general hospital that later developed an oncology program.
Major strengths
Roswell Park provides:
- Medical oncology
- Surgical oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Cellular therapies
- Cancer genetics
- Clinical trials
- Pediatric cancer services
- Cancer prevention
- Survivorship programs
A peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship describes Roswell Park’s integrated screening and survivorship program and identifies it as the only NCI-designated cancer center in New York State outside the New York City metropolitan area.
Reviews
Roswell Park currently has a strong public review signal. A recent Birdeye listing based on Google reviews showed 4.7/5 from more than 6,000 reviews.
Patients have praised individual doctors, nurses and caregivers, while some reviews criticize scheduling and specific administrative experiences.
Best for
Patients outside NYC seeking a nationally recognized dedicated cancer center, especially those interested in research and clinical trials.
7. Wilmot Cancer Institute – University of Rochester
Location: Rochester, New York
The James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute is part of the University of Rochester Medical Center and is one of the major cancer centers serving upstate New York.
NCI lists Wilmot as a Clinical Cancer Center, recognizing its scientific and clinical research capabilities.
Wilmot treats a broad range of cancers and offers medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical care, blood cancer treatment and clinical research.
Why patients consider Wilmot
Its strengths include:
- Adult cancer treatment
- Blood cancers
- Radiation oncology
- Surgical oncology
- Cancer genetics
- Clinical trials
- Supportive care
- Survivorship
Reviews
Wilmot has a notably positive public patient-review signal. A recent listing showed 4.0/5 from 37 Google reviews.
Recent reviews praise caring staff, nurses and physicians. Some patients specifically describe positive experiences during chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Best for
Patients in Rochester and upstate New York who want academic cancer care without traveling to New York City.
8. Northwell Health Cancer Institute
Location: New York metropolitan area and Long Island
Northwell Health operates one of the largest integrated health systems in the New York region, and its cancer services extend across multiple hospitals and outpatient locations.
The major advantage of Northwell is its network model. Patients can receive cancer treatment within a large healthcare system while maintaining access to specialists, imaging, surgery and other medical services.
Northwell also has a close academic relationship with the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.
Major services
Northwell’s cancer network includes:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Prostate cancer
- Gynecologic cancer
- Blood cancers
- Radiation oncology
- Surgical oncology
- Medical oncology
- Cancer genetics
- Clinical trials
The health system’s scale can be particularly useful when patients need multiple specialists.
Reviews
Unlike a single-site cancer hospital, Northwell’s patient-review picture varies substantially by hospital and cancer location. This is why patients should look at the reviews for the specific Northwell facility and oncologist they are considering rather than applying one rating to the entire system.
Northwell’s broader hospital network has also received strong patient-safety recognition; recent Leapfrog reporting cited 15 Northwell hospitals receiving A grades in the spring 2026 safety cycle.
Best for
Patients who prioritize a large regional network, accessibility and coordinated care across Long Island and the NYC area.
9. Stony Brook Cancer Center
Location: Stony Brook, Long Island
Stony Brook Cancer Center is part of Stony Brook University and provides academic cancer care for Long Island.
The center offers treatment across medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology and participates in cancer research and clinical trials.
Why consider Stony Brook?
For Long Island residents, geographic accessibility can be a major advantage. Cancer treatment frequently requires repeated appointments, laboratory tests, imaging, infusions and follow-up visits, making travel time an important practical consideration.
Stony Brook also provides access to the wider Stony Brook University Medicine ecosystem.
Patient reviews
A current public listing showed 3.2/5 from 56 reviews, with Google accounting for most of the reviews in that listing.
Importantly, the review set is mixed. Some long-term patients describe strong relationships with oncologists and appreciate physicians who explain treatment options clearly, while other reviews criticize scheduling and administrative experiences.
Best for
Long Island patients looking for university-based cancer care closer to home.
10. Maimonides Cancer Center
Location: Brooklyn, New York City
Maimonides Cancer Center is an important community-focused cancer program serving Brooklyn’s diverse population.
The center provides oncology services including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation-related care and cancer support services.
One advantage of Maimonides is accessibility for Brooklyn residents who may prefer to receive treatment closer to home rather than traveling into Manhattan.
Patient reviews
A current public review listing showed 3.7/5 from 67 Google reviews.
Reviews include strong praise for doctors, nurses and staff, but there are also complaints involving communication and administrative experiences.
The relatively small review sample means this rating should be treated as a patient-experience indicator rather than a measure of cancer-treatment quality.
Best for
Brooklyn residents who want local oncology services and a large urban hospital environment.
Which Cancer Hospital Is Best for You?
There is no single cancer hospital that is best for every patient.
The right choice depends heavily on the type of cancer, stage, molecular characteristics, treatment required, location, insurance and whether a clinical trial or highly specialized procedure is needed.
Best overall cancer-focused institution
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
MSK is particularly compelling when the cancer is rare, complex, advanced or difficult to treat.
Best academic alternative in Manhattan
NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center
Perlmutter combines a major academic medical center with a broad cancer network.
Best for comprehensive academic care
Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center
Tisch offers extensive cancer programs, research and advanced therapies.
Best Columbia-affiliated option
NewYork-Presbyterian / Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
This is especially attractive for complex cases requiring multiple specialties.
Best outside New York City
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roswell Park is a dedicated cancer institution with a long history of cancer research and clinical care.
Best upstate academic option
Wilmot Cancer Institute
Wilmot is a strong choice for Rochester and surrounding communities.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Cancer Hospital?
Searching for “the best cancer hospital near me” is only the beginning.
Before choosing a hospital, ask these questions:
1. Does the hospital specialize in my cancer?
Cancer is not one disease. Breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, prostate cancer and sarcoma require different expertise.
2. Does it have specialists for my cancer type?
Look for a team that regularly treats your particular cancer rather than simply a hospital with a large oncology department.
3. Are clinical trials available?
Clinical trials can provide access to investigational therapies and are especially important for certain advanced or rare cancers.
NCI notes that hundreds of studies may be underway across NCI-designated cancer centers at any given time.
4. Is multidisciplinary care available?
Complex cancer care often involves several specialists working together:
- Medical oncologist
- Surgical oncologist
- Radiation oncologist
- Radiologist
- Pathologist
- Genetic counselor
- Oncology pharmacist
- Nutrition specialist
- Palliative-care team
5. How far will you need to travel?
Cancer treatment can involve dozens of visits.
A hospital that is excellent but several hours away may not always be the most practical choice for routine chemotherapy or radiation if equally appropriate treatment is available closer to home.
6. Does the hospital accept your insurance?
Always confirm insurance coverage directly with the hospital and your insurer before treatment.
Why NCI Designation Matters
NCI designation should be considered an important quality signal, but it should not be the only factor.
The NCI Cancer Centers Program recognizes institutions for scientific leadership, research infrastructure and the ability to translate research discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Among the New York institutions included in this guide, NCI-designated centers include:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center
- Perlmutter Cancer Center
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Wilmot Cancer Institute
NCI’s current information confirms these designations and their respective classifications.
Are Online Cancer Hospital Reviews Reliable?
Online reviews are useful, but they should never be treated as a substitute for clinical evidence.
A cancer center may have a low review score because of:
- Parking problems
- Billing disputes
- Long waiting times
- Reception issues
- Appointment scheduling
- Communication problems
Those issues matter because patient experience matters. However, they do not necessarily tell you whether an institution has excellent outcomes for pancreatic cancer, leukemia, breast cancer or another specific disease.
The better approach is to use reviews to evaluate communication, responsiveness, nursing, scheduling and patient support, while using clinical evidence and specialist expertise to evaluate cancer treatment.
New York Cancer Care: Research Is Changing Treatment
Cancer treatment continues to evolve rapidly.
Modern oncology increasingly relies on molecular testing, targeted treatments, immunotherapy, cellular therapies, precision medicine and clinical trials.
Academic cancer centers such as MSK, NYU, Columbia, Mount Sinai, Montefiore Einstein, Roswell Park and Wilmot are heavily involved in cancer research.
For example, recent peer-reviewed work involving MSK researchers continues to investigate advanced imaging and cancer-treatment technologies, demonstrating the connection between academic research and clinical oncology.
This is one reason patients with rare or advanced cancer may benefit from obtaining a second opinion at a major academic cancer center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Hospitals in New York
What is the best cancer hospital in New York?
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is widely regarded as one of the leading cancer institutions in New York and the United States. However, the best hospital for an individual patient depends on cancer type, stage, treatment requirements, insurance and specialist availability.
Is Memorial Sloan Kettering better than NYU Langone for cancer?
Neither is universally better for every patient. MSK is highly specialized around cancer, while NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center combines specialized oncology with the resources of a large academic health system.
Which cancer hospitals in New York are NCI-designated?
NCI-designated New York cancer centers include Memorial Sloan Kettering, Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center, NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Roswell Park and Wilmot Cancer Institute.
Is Roswell Park a good cancer hospital?
Roswell Park is one of New York’s most established dedicated cancer centers. NCI recognizes it as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, and its history dates back to 1898.
Should I get a second opinion for cancer?
A second opinion can be particularly useful when the diagnosis is rare, the cancer is advanced, major surgery is recommended, treatment options are uncertain or a clinical trial may be appropriate.
Does a high Google rating mean a hospital is better for cancer?
Not necessarily. Google reviews primarily reflect individual patient experiences and can be influenced by scheduling, parking, communication and administrative issues. Cancer treatment quality should be evaluated using disease-specific expertise, clinical outcomes, research capabilities and specialist experience.
Which cancer hospital is best outside New York City?
Roswell Park in Buffalo and Wilmot Cancer Institute in Rochester are two particularly important options outside New York City. Both have established academic cancer programs, while Roswell Park has NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation.
Final Verdict: Top Cancer Hospitals in New York for 2026
New York is home to an unusually strong concentration of cancer specialists, academic medical centers and research institutions.
For patients seeking the best cancer hospital in New York, Memorial Sloan Kettering remains one of the most compelling choices, particularly for rare, complex and advanced cancers. NYU Langone Perlmutter, Mount Sinai Tisch and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia provide equally important academic alternatives depending on cancer type and specialist availability.
For patients outside Manhattan, Montefiore Einstein, Roswell Park, Wilmot, Northwell and Stony Brook provide additional strong choices.
The most important lesson is simple: do not choose a cancer hospital based only on a “Top 10” list or Google rating. Choose the center that has deep expertise in your exact cancer, offers the treatment you need, provides appropriate clinical-trial opportunities and gives you access to a multidisciplinary team you trust.
Cancer treatment is highly individualized. A second opinion from a specialized cancer center can sometimes provide additional treatment options, clarify a diagnosis or help a patient understand whether surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or a clinical trial is appropriate.
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Research & Reference Sources
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — NCI-designated cancer-center program and individual center profiles.
New York State Department of Health — New York cancer-control programs, cancer services and current state healthcare information.
U.S. News & World Report / current 2026 reporting — 2026–27 hospital recognition and New York metropolitan hospital rankings.
Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center — current cancer-center information and 2025–26 cancer ranking information.
NYU Langone Health — current Perlmutter Cancer Center information and 2026 institutional information.
Peer-reviewed cancer research — current oncology research involving New York cancer institutions.
Public patient-review signals — current Google-derived review information for selected cancer centers, including Roswell Park, Wilmot, Montefiore Einstein, Stony Brook and Perlmutter locations.
Editorial note: Hospital review scores and rankings change over time. Patient reviews are included to describe reported experience, not to claim that one institution has better cancer outcomes than another. Patients should verify current physician availability, insurance participation, cancer-specific expertise and treatment options directly with the hospital before making a medical decision.