A cancer diagnosis changes everything in an instant. In that moment, people are not just looking at credentials or rankings. They are looking for experience, compassion and a clear path forward.
At UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, that path is built around each patient, bringing together experienced physicians, leading research and coordinated care to guide every step with expertise and respect.
The UT Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in South Texas, a distinction that recognizes the highest level of scientific rigor and national leadership in cancer research. Together with the UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital, which is connected to the cancer center by a bridge, it offers patients access to some of the most advanced, research-driven care in the country.
Across South Texas, access to advanced cancer care is especially important. The region experiences higher rates of certain cancers than other parts of Texas and the U.S., including liver cancer, which is 31.5% more likely, and cervical cancer, which is 15.2% more likely. These realities make early, accurate diagnosis and access to a full range of treatment options critical. They reinforce the need for advanced cancer care delivered locally, where patients can receive timely screenings, precise diagnoses and the most effective therapies without delay.
More options from the start
From the moment of diagnosis, UT Health San Antonio patients are connected to a system designed to expand their treatment possibilities and bring the full strength of medicine and research to their care.
Specialized programs focus on common and rare cancers, which allows for more personalized treatment approaches. For those at increased risk, services such as cancer genetics counseling and risk-reduction clinics offer early insight and prevention strategies.
A key advantage of receiving care at an academic health center is access to clinical trials. UT Health San Antonio offers a broad portfolio of clinical trials exploring new therapies for breast cancer, leukemia and other diseases.
“Clinical trials can give patients access to therapies that are not yet widely available, including targeted treatments designed to improve outcomes and reduce side effects,” said Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, executive director of the Mays Cancer Center. “Because our research and clinical teams work side by side, we’re able to move promising discoveries into patient care more quickly and offer options that may not exist in other settings.”
These advancements are already changing lives. A novel targeted drug delivery therapy developed at UT Health San Antonio has been shown to more than double survival time for certain patients with recurrent glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Other research is focused on preventing cancer before it develops, including efforts to detect and treat Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection linked to most stomach cancer cases worldwide.
A team behind every decision
Cancer care is complex, and the best outcomes come from a team of specialists across oncology, surgery, imaging and research who collaborate on each patient’s unique care plan.
“Cancer care is rarely one-size-fits-all,” said Richard Tuli, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at the Mays Cancer Center. “By bringing together specialists from multiple disciplines to review each case, we’re able to develop more precise, coordinated treatment plans. That collaboration helps ensure patients receive the most informed recommendations from the very beginning.”
Being physically connected to the hospital makes it easy for patients to move seamlessly between diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Bringing advanced cancer care and research together in one place “means fewer delays in care. It means more coordinated, leading-edge treatments right here at home,” said Jeffery L. Flowers, MBA, FACHE, the hospital’s chief executive officer.
New services such as stem cell transplantation and bispecific T-cell engager, or BiTE, therapies are expanding treatment options for complex cancers, while next-generation imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques are helping detect and remove tumors with greater precision.
Treatment, however, is only one part of the cancer experience.
Patients often face physical, emotional and practical challenges that extend far beyond their diagnosis. UT Health San Antonio offers a comprehensive network of support services designed to assist patients and families at every stage.
Patient navigation programs, providing dedicated care guides, help coordinate appointments and connect individuals to critical resources. Supportive care teams provide symptom management, mental health support, nutritional guidance and rehabilitation services to help patients maintain strength and quality of life during treatment. Palliative care specialists also work alongside cancer care teams to ease symptoms and ensure care reflects what matters most to each patient.
Care and support continue well beyond treatment, with ongoing access to the services, guidance and resources patients need for long-term health and well-being. Survivorship programs at Mays Cancer Center focus on what comes next, helping patients navigate life after treatment with continued medical oversight and personalized support. Care teams monitor for recurrence, address lasting side effects and help patients reestablish daily routines. Dedicated services for children, adolescents and young adults ensure that younger patients and their families receive care tailored to their unique needs.
A stronger future for South Texas
UT Health San Antonio connects research, specialty care and patient support for communities that have historically faced barriers to access. It is also expanding its reach through community partnerships and outreach programs that connect more local patients to screening, prevention and treatment services.
“Receiving care here means that every patient has access to medical teams that are constantly advancing,” said Robert A. Hromas, MD, FACP, dean of the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine. “The same teams developing new therapies, leading clinical trials and training future physicians are also the ones guiding patient care. That connection allows us to offer more options, apply the latest evidence and deliver care that is not just current, but continuously improving.”