[Scientific institutions for treatment and care: purpose, characteristics and specific role in the oncologic sector].

The qualities of Comprehensive Health Care Institutes facilities established to foster, carry out and coordinate activities of scientific research and assistance in the field of biomedicine are described. At present there are 23 centers, their activity being based on two fundamental features: 1) topical research in specific themes characterizing the role these Institutes continuously play; 2) specialized research concerning subjects of particular interest and/or urgency suggested by the Ministry of Health.