KFNCCC, A Regional Leader in Pediatric Cancer Treatment

King Fahad National Centre for Children's Cancer (KFNCCC), affiliated with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), is a key player in pediatric oncology in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
Since its establishment in 1997, the center has been a beacon of hope and medical innovation. It treats over 500 new cases annually, conducts 150 stem cell transplants each year, and excels in utilizing advanced treatment techniques and technologies, achieving outcomes on par with those of leading global medical institutions.
In a press release issued today by KFSHRC, KFNCCC's Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) program was highlighted as a regional leader that performs around 150 transplants each year. With over 3,162 transplants completed in the last two decades, including 24% that utilized alternative methods like unrelated donors, haploidentical transplants, or umbilical cord blood, the center provides crucial medical options for children without suitable family donors.
This program is a crucial lifeline for children facing conditions like leukemia, bone marrow failure, and genetic disorders, providing new hope. By offering these advanced treatments locally, the center has increased access for children in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region, reducing the need for medical treatment overseas.
In its efforts to localize advanced treatments in the Kingdom, the center has introduced advanced T-cell engineering therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treating about 30 patients in the last four years. Since 2019, KFNCCC has treated 31 retinoblastoma cases through its intra-arterial chemotherapy program, in collaboration with King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. It has also treated four high-risk neuroblastoma cases with radiation therapy since 2020.
"These achievements reflect the center's commitment to providing comprehensive medical care for children with complex diseases," the release stated.
Treatment outcomes have been promising, with a 90% survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and a 95% survival rate for those with nephroblastoma. The overall survival rate for patients with various types of tumors is 88%, a figure that emphasizes the quality of care provided and gives hope to patients and their families, offering the possibility of overcoming complex diseases and returning to normal life.
According to the release, KFNCCC integrates specialized research in its advanced clinical care, facilitating the direct and effective application of the latest treatment methods. With strong international partnerships with organizations like 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), the center provides patients with access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials, solidifying its position as "a global medical reference in pediatric oncology care".
"The KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year, and recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals and included in the list of the World's Best Smart Hospitals for 2025 by Newsweek magazine," the release read.