Impact
At the forefront of discovery in cancer care, WashU Medicine researchers at Siteman Cancer Center are accelerating bold discoveries and delivering breakthroughs where they matter most: our patients’ bedsides. Our world-class teams are leading a new era in detection, treatment and prevention to outpace cancer on every front. Because the better we understand cancer, the closer we get to a world where no one has to know it.
Cancer by the numbers
Siteman Cancer Center is top five nationally in patient volume
75,000+ patients served annually
700+ clinical trials per year
$185M in research funding in 2024
We treat the untreatable
Three years ago, a routine blood test revealed that David B. Duggan, MD, had T-PLL leukemia, a rare, aggressive and often fatal cancer. “Ironically, as a hematologist, I was quite familiar with T-PLL. I’ve treated patients with it, and it can progress quickly. Standard treatments aren’t terribly satisfying.” With limited options, he began preparing for the worst — until a phase 1 clinical trial 885 miles away at Siteman Cancer Center changed everything.
Outsmarting cancer with precision medicine
What began as a bold, untested idea — sequencing an entire cancer genome — became a breakthrough that changed medicine forever. Now, 15 years later, WashU Medicine physicians at Siteman Cancer Center continue to push the limits of what’s possible, using cutting-edge genetic tests to outsmart cancer and save more lives.
Confronting the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in adults under 50
For years, Michael Rall-Brown managed chronic digestive issues without realizing they signaled something more serious. When sudden, severe pain sent him to the ER, WashU Medicine doctors discovered hundreds of polyps and a genetic mutation linked to early-onset colorectal cancer. His life-saving surgery underscored a troubling trend: colorectal cancer is rising in adults under 50, often going undetected until it’s advanced. Why are cases surging, and how can early action save lives?
Discover the latest innovations in cancer prevention, research and care in our recent issue of Outlook Magazine »
