Health system disappointed by plan for cancer center

University of California San Diego Health System said Friday it was "deeply disappointed " that a proposal to house the Comprehensive Cancer Centers of America at the Nevada Cancer Institute "will not produce results at this time."

Comprehensive Cancer said Thursday that it had pulled out of talks to lease 43,000 square feet of the institute's flagship building because of a property restriction that prohibits a for-profit clinic from operating there.

Universal Health Services had that clause inserted nearly a decade ago because of the proximity of its Summerlin Hospital Medical Center. Only a nonprofit oncology practice, which is almost nonexistent in Las Vegas, can work out of the institute building.

"We hope to keep communication open with (Comprehensive Cancer) and Universal Health Service to come to a resolution that is beneficial to the region's cancer patients," the UCSD statement said.

UCSD declined to comment on what happens to the institute's current patients or what else it might do with the building. UCSD said last month it would end its own clinical practice there, but try to interest other physicians to move in.

Comprehensive Cancer said it would study other options to carry out growth plans in northwest Las Vegas and Henderson.

Contact reporter Tim O'Reiley at toreiley@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290.