KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Officials at the University of Kansas Cancer Center and the Kansas City Cancer Center (KCCC) announced today that the two organizations will combine operations.

Officials said the changes would "expand opportunities" for advanced cancer research, Phase I clinical research trials and supports KU's efforts to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation.

The merger will give patients access to 50 hematologists, oncologists and radiation oncologists at 12 locations, KU officials said, "combining the area’s leading community-based oncology program with the area’s premier academic medical center to create an unprecedented approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship for patients in this region and a national model for cancer care delivery."

With the merger, Kansas City Cancer Center non-physician staff and the cancer center's facilities will become part of the University of Kansas Hospital.

Also:

Kansas City Cancer Center physicians will become members of The University of Kansas Physicians and faculty of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, specifically in the departments of Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

U.S. Oncology will remain part of the operation by providing some proprietary products and will collaborate on research. Patients of the KU Cancer Center will have additional access to research projects through U.S. Oncology.

“The partnership of two premier cancer centers further makes Kansas City a destination for cancer patients throughout the Midwest with options for treatment locations, technologies and sub-specialists,” Bob Page, chief executive officer of the KU Hospital, said in a prepared statement.

Kansas City Cancer Center and the KU Cancer Center have collaborated on cancer care before. In 2007, they combined their blood and marrow transplant program into the KU Cancer Center.

“We knew from the beginning of our association in blood and marrow transplants that both organizations shared the same focus on patient-centered care,” said Dr. Mark Myron, president of Kansas City Cancer Center. “This collaborating organization will be able to provide seamless care in a variety of locations and will be a major step forward for cancer research both locally and nationally.”

Officials said they had agree to move forward to closing on the merger but that no further public comment would be made until the transaction was completed.