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The Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center was one of the nation's first cancer centers to be established with the December 1971 passage of the National Cancer Act, in which Congress authorized federal funding to build 15 cancer centers nationwide and expand the programs of four existing cancer centers. In 1973, the Cancer Center was designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. The "comprehensive" status recognized the center for its excellence in research and for other contributions in the areas of clinical trials, prevention and control efforts, information and educational offerings, and outreach and service activities. The Brain Tumor Center at Duke, established in 1937, was one of the first brain tumor research and clinical programs in the United States and is one of the leading pediatric and adult neuro-oncology programs in the world. The Brain Tumor Center is one of two brain tumor research programs designated by the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke and offers more active clinical trials than any other treatment center. Duke University Medical Center is one of the 10 medical centers involved in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, which evaluates promising new treatments to help speed the development of innovative, technically challenging therapies.