Nestled within the prestigious King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), the King Fahad National Centre for Children's Cancer (KFNCCC) is a beacon of hope in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Established in 1997, this unique healthcare facility provides a comprehensive environment to combat childhood cancers.
The KFNCCC seamlessly integrates advanced clinical care with cutting-edge research, fostering an environment for new treatment methods. This commitment is reflected in its annual workload, exceeding 500 new diagnoses and an impressive 150 stem cell transplants.
Its unwavering pursuit of excellence translates into exceptional outcomes, with a survival rate of 90% for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a remarkable 95% for Wilms' tumor. Overall, patients with various tumors exhibit an 88% survival rate.
The KFNCCC is the regional leader in pediatric stem cell transplantation (SCT), with a program performing over 150 procedures annually. In two decades, they have completed more than 3,162 transplants, a significant portion (24%) utilizing innovative methods such as unrelated donors, haploidentical transplants, and umbilical cord blood.
This offers vital solutions for children lacking compatible family donors, providing hope for previously incurable diseases such as leukemia, bone marrow failure, and genetic disorders. By localizing this complex treatment in Saudi Arabia, the KFNCCC has made it accessible to many children, eliminating the need for medical tourism.
The KFNCCC's commitment to progress extends to the introduction of advanced T-cell engineering therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treating over 30 patients in the last four years.
Since 2019, they have treated 31 cases of retinoblastoma through an intra-arterial chemotherapy program in collaboration with the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. Additionally, their expertise in radiotherapy has benefited four cases of high-risk neuroblastoma since 2020. These advancements underscore the center's dedication to providing comprehensive care for children with complex medical issues.
The KFNCCC relies on a strong network of prestigious international partnerships, including the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). This facilitates access to the latest treatments and clinical trials, reinforcing the center's position as a global leader in pediatric oncology care.
Caroline Haïat
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