Mel,
There are 2 possible reasons that they are not on the NCI list: 1. They didn't apply (most likely) or, 2. they didn't meet the criteria.

It's a whole lot pf paperwork and basically funds research only - not patient care, and is basically a grant process. See: http://www3.cancer.gov/cancercenters/CCSG_Guide12_04.pdf

None the less, being one of the 20 NCCN member Institutions packs a lot of weight anyway. Stanford is at the cutting edge of cancer research and patient care. The NCI institutions follow the guidelines developed at Stanford and the other NCCN member institutions.

I think Leslie explained the "comprehensive" part pretty well.

Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)