King Fahad National Centre for Children's Cancer
The King Fahad National Centre for Children's Cancer and Research (KFNCCC&R) is the only standalone children's cancer center in Saudi Arabia & the Middle East.
KFNCCC is an integrated part of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre and provides both inpatient and outpatient services to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology patients. The hospital is locally known as the Children Cancer Centre or more affectionately CCC. KFNCCC&R also houses a research center.
The proximity of both clinical and research facilities was intentionally set up to allow greater interaction between the two services.
The Research Centre is dedicated to advancement of cancer management through disciplined investigation, and focuses specifically on transitional objectives. This allows innovative concepts of therapy to be applied in a timely manner to actual patient treatment.
Facts about CCC:
- Opened March, 1997.
- Modeled on St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.
- 600 new pediatric malignant cases reported to Saudi National Cancer Registry annually. Additional 200 cases per year projected over the coming years.
- Approximately 400 new cases accepted at KFNCCC&R/ KFSH&RC annually (St. Jude's accepts 370 new cases annually).
SUB-SPECIALTY Programs
Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program is one of the Programs of Excellence
The Bone Marrow Transplant (or Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) Program is one of the largest, most highly regarded pediatric programs nationally and internationally.
Established in 1993, the Program has performed transplants for more than 2000 transplants over the past two decades, more than 300 cord blood transplants, 90 % from KFSHRC -Cord blood Banks in the last 5 yeas
Services
Leukemia/Lymphoma:
The Section of Leukemia/Lymphoma strives to standardize the care of children with acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes Hodgkin’s disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and other lymphoproliferative disorders. Leukemia’s are the most common cancer seen in childhood and constitutes 30-35% of all malignancies seen in children. Together Leukemia/Lymphoma account for approximately 50% of patients in PHO.
Solid Tumors:
The Section of Solid Tumors has three approved programs; Solid Tumors, Neuro-Oncology and Histiocytosis. The Section coordinates the multidisciplinary team care and treatment of all varieties of pediatric solid tumors as needed for optimal care. Solid tumors constitute more than 50% of all malignancies seen in PHO.
Stem Cell Transplant:
The Section of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) provides care for children in need of Stem Cell Transplantation. The program performs more than 140 Stem Cell Transplants per year, for patients with various malignancies and non-malignant haematological disorders as well as for immune deficiency and metabolic diseases. It is the largest SCT program in the region.
Hematology:
The Section of Hematology has two approved programs; Hemophilia and Hemoglobinopathy. It handles a multitude of unique Blood Disorders and cares for a large population of patients with Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome. It is a major source for the Stem Cell Transplant program and provides Consultative Service to the entire institution.
Pediatric Palliative Care:
Children diagnosed with cancer or other serious blood diseases often have complex care needs. Along the disease trajectory, family members regularly go through an array of strong emotions and have to take multiple complex and difficult decisions regarding care. The Pediatric Palliative Team specializes in addressing these challenging, complex, and emotionally-charged situations of care.
Resources
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Services cover both King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH&RC) and King Fahad National Centre for Childrens' Cancer (KFNCCC) – Riyadh. The pediatric malignancies are cared for by the Department of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology and admitted at KFNCCC with total allocation of 46 beds. The Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant patients for transplants and post transplants are admitted at KFSH&RC with total allocation of 24 beds.
Achievements
Awards & Recognitions 2015
- Quality Day 2015 awarded the department of PHO “Hematology Consultation Tracking System”
- Medical Administration Award for Best Patient Story 2015
- 10th patient and public hemophilia awareness day recognition April 2015
Accreditation
The department of pediatric hematology oncology obtained and maintained its accreditation by the Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-EBMT, Children’s Oncology Group (COG), European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).
Performance Improvement Projects
The medical team including the medical staff and nursing are continuously looking at ways to deliver up to date patient care and measures to improve patient satisfaction. The most recent performance improvement project addressed the process of the walk-in guidelines for the patients, their families and staff alike. The project has aimed at empowering and educating the families in the ways to maximize the appropriate utilization of the walk-in area.
Research
Research is a fundamental component of pediatric hematology oncology. From 2010- 2015 over 100 research projects were performed including abstracts and publications in prestigious journals with high impact factor and presentations at national & international conferences worldwide. Several projects were funded by SANAD & KCAST. In 2015 alone there were 10 research papers published in peer reviewed journals and presented 9 our experience in 9 national/international conferences. Six (6) new research projects were initiated in 2015 making a total of more than 40 active research studies. Operation of a newly established Tissue Bank and FISH Laboratory in the KFNCCC Research Facility
Hematology Initiative
The hematology Pre-BMT patient tracking and clearance system was created in order to enhance and facilitate the stem cell transplant process. Innovative Consultative service – for improved care, capturing data unique to the PHO service and Research support is currently in place.
Education
The members of the department of PHO at KFNCCC&R and KFSH&RC are dedicated to the teaching, mentoring and counselling of medical students, interns, residents, nurses and fellows continuously providing the educational needs and requirements for advancement and optimizing their medical careers.
The pediatric hematology oncology fellowship Program is accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) since 03 November 2010 and fellows graduating from the program are serving children with cancer and blood disorders throughout the Kingdom.