SCCA Purpose

A Collaborative Effort

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) brings together the best of three internationally renowned cancer-care institutions: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.

The SCCA's purposes:

Provide premier, patient-focused cancer care.
Support the conduct of cancer clinical research and education.
Enhance access to improved cancer interventions.
Advance the standard of cancer care, regionally and beyond.

A major focus of the SCCA is to speed up the transfer of new diagnostic and treatment techniques from the research setting to patient care. The highly integrated approach to cancer research and treatment among SCCA partner organizations supports the flow of scientific information among researchers, clinicians, and patients, thereby accelerating the development of new knowledge and treatment of various cancers.

Major Accomplishments

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Hutchinson Center)

UW Medicine

Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Ranked first nationwide among academic and research institutions in grant funding from the National Cancer Institute.
Pioneered the development of bone marrow transplantation as a treatment option, offering a cure to more than 50,000 people a year diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and other potentially fatal blood disorders.
Increased cure rates for some types of leukemia from nearly zero to more than 80 percent, through bone marrow transplantation.
Achieved more precise marrow-donor matches through DNA sequencing, resulting in a higher success rate for marrow transplants.
Performed the first successful marrow transplant advances for multiple myeloma, and the first transplants in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), thalassemia major, and acute myelogenous leukemia.
Advanced the application of stem cell transplantation to a variety of cancers, and to genetic, and immune disorders.
Developed an antibody-targeted chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), making chemotherapy less toxic and more effective.
Developed a technique to insert changes into genes, leading to the first successful application of gene therapy in humans.
Used the first antibody targeted against a marker specific to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, an approach now used to treat thousands of people every year.
Co-founded the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, www.nccn.org, a nationwide network of 17 preeminent, comprehensive cancer centers, designated by the National Cancer Institute.

UW Medicine

University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) is ranked among the top five hospitals in the United States for cancer treatment by U.S. News & World Report.
Ranked third among medical schools nationwide in research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Considered the leading center for the Human Genome Project.
Recognized as one of only four hospitals in the United States with dedicated clinical programs that use high-energy radiation therapy with a linear accelerator, and neutron therapy with a cyclotron.
Acclaimed internationally for its radiology program and the expertise of its faculty; provides state-of-the-art equipment, including positron emission tomography (PET). New advances originating in this program have evolved into several unique examinations unavailable elsewhere.
Pioneered work in the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (three-dimensional focusing of a radiation beam to destroy cancer tissue) for brain and other central nervous system tumors.
Focused on coordinated, multidisciplinary evaluations and treatment plans for women with breast cancer, including the use of blue-dye techniques to map affected lymph nodes.
Recognized internationally as a leader in research on the genetics of breast cancer risk.
Established state-of-the-art gene therapy and lymphatic mapping in its Melanoma Center.

Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center

Recognized nationally for its pediatric bone tumor and brain tumor programs.
- One of nine centers nationwide to participate in the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.
- Pioneered the concept of multidisciplinary care of the pediatric brain tumor patients.
- The Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Tumor Service brings state-of-the-art care to children and adolescents with musculoskeletal tumors. New metabolic imaging methods have been developed that improve the ability to see musculoskeletal abnormalities. New bone transplantation and skeletal reconstruction procedures have been developed that now leave patients with more function.
- The Pediatric Neurosurgical Oncology Service provides leading-edge technology to patients with brain or spinal cord tumors, including functional brain mapping. The Pediatric Neurosurgical Service also uses state-of-the-art frameless stereotactic equipment, microscopes, and lasers.
Pioneered work in the pharmacology of chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastomas.
Recognized for treating more pediatric cancer cases than any other provider in the region. Children's currently follows more than 3,000 children and begins care for 200 newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients annually.
Formed the most comprehensive, multidisciplinary pediatric cancer team in the Pacific Northwest. This diverse group of pediatric specialists, all present in one location and all focused on the care of children, allows delivery of the most effective and efficient treatment for pediatric cancers.

The pediatric care team includes: doctors (anesthesiologists, oncologists and hematologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons from all major surgical specialties, and other specialists); nurses (advanced practice nurses, and staff nurses with special training in care of children with cancer); dietitians and diet technicians; therapists (occupational therapists, physical therapists, and child life therapists); as well as oncology pharmacists, social workers, pain management specialists, and educators.
Other disciplines involved include child psychology, adolescent medicine, stress management, pastoral care, community agencies, and support groups.

Developed a state-of-the-art radioisotope program using Hutchinson Center protocols for the treatment of AML, ALL, neuroblastoma, and Ewing's sarcoma.