NCI-designated Cancer Centers are a group of approximately 66 cancer research institutions in the United States supported by the National Cancer Institute.
Two designations are recognized: Comprehensive Cancer Centers and Cancer Centers. As of 2011, there are 44 Comprehensive Cancer Centers and 22 designated Cancer Centers. Receiving the NCI-designation places cancer centers among the top 4 percent of the approximately 1500 cancer centers in the United States.
The standards for Comprehensive Cancer Centers are the more restrictive of the two types. These facilities must demonstrate expertise in each of three areas: laboratory, clinical, and behavioral and population-based research. Comprehensive Cancer Centers are expected to initiate and conduct early phase, innovative clinical trials and to participate in the NCI's cooperative groups by providing leadership and recruiting patients for trials. Comprehensive Cancer Centers must also conduct activities in outreach and education, and provide information on advances in healthcare for both healthcare professionals and the public.