The SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB) continues to strengthen its highly specialised care model, combining clinical excellence, cutting‑edge research and strong social commitment to improve the present and future of children and adolescents with cancer.
Advanced outpatient care and clinical structure
The PCCB offers advanced outpatient care, with 21 consulting rooms and 26 day hospital treatment bays, operating also at weekends.
This capacity has made it possible to free up hospital areas for other specialties—such as nephrology, allergy testing and immunology—improving efficiency and patient flow.
The Surgical Block includes two high‑technology operating theatres. In 2023, the second theatre became operational, specialising in complex oncological procedures planned with 3D technology.
The centre also features a rehabilitation area specifically designed for paediatric oncology patients, with tailored programmes for hospitalised and outpatient children and young people, adapted to their condition and age group.
Childhood cancer: a developmental disease
Developmental cancer—commonly known as childhood cancer—affects children, adolescents and young adults. Unlike adult cancers, which are often related to ageing, childhood cancer is a random disease and cannot be prevented.
In Spain, around 1,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, representing one case of childhood cancer for every 200 adult cases, and therefore considered a rare disease.
Although 8 out of 10 patients in developed countries overcome the disease, many childhood cancers still lack curative treatments. Furthermore, two in three survivors suffer long‑term side effects from therapies received. Research remains the only route to improving outcomes and developing more effective, less aggressive treatments.
Due to its low incidence, childhood cancer receives significantly less investment in research compared with adult cancers, making philanthropy essential. In fact, 70% of the PCCB’s childhood cancer laboratory budget comes from private donations from families, patient associations, foundations and companies.
Among the main supporters is Invest for children, a founding partner and one of the principal donors of the Cancer Center, whose commitment has been crucial to the creation and growth of the project.
Clinical activity in 2025
According to the updated PCCB report (January–September 2025), the following indicators stand out:
Patients and activity
- 243 new patients in 2025
- 24 transplants performed in 2025
- Average occupancy: 70%
- Day Hospital: 21 daily sessions
- ICU: 1.4 patients per day
- LCS: 1.3 patients per day
- Surgery: 5 operations per day
- Laboratory: 34 daily blood tests in the Day Hospital
These figures confirm progressive growth since the centre opened in June 2022, with increasing numbers of discharges, clinical complexity and care demand.
Research: an international benchmark
The SJD childhood cancer research laboratory, with more than 20 years of activity, underwent a major expansion in 2023, integrating advanced molecular diagnostics and precision‑medicine capabilities within the PCCB.
The laboratory includes:
- A unique biobank of paediatric tumours, essential for scientific progress.
- Advanced molecular and genomic technologies, enabling:
- More accurate diagnoses
- Prediction of tumour aggressiveness
- Enhanced monitoring of treatment response
More than 50 professionals, divided into five consolidated research groups, study the origins of paediatric cancers, explore new therapeutic options, develop in‑vivo models, and lead advanced therapies such as CAR‑T immunotherapy, oncolytic viruses and cellular vaccines.
Key research milestones (2025)
- Funded trial combining Dendritic‑cell vaccine + CAR‑T (launch in 2026).
- Proposed international multicentre trial with HSJD, Bambino Gesù and Princess Máxima.
- New joint research facility with the Josep Carreras Institute (240 m²).
- Exclusive membership in the Beat Childhood Cancer consortium—SJD is the only centre outside the USA and Canada.
- Launch of the liquid biopsy project, funded by the solidarity of Max’s family.
- Development of an innovative LED‑guided Port‑a‑Cath, providing safer and less invasive access for paediatric patients.
Outreach activity: global training and impact
The PCCB plays a central role in international training initiatives aimed at improving paediatric oncology worldwide.
TELEO Programme
- 45 participating centres across 12 countries
- 319 professionals trained
- More than 8,000 users
The team has also delivered substantial teaching and collaborative work in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
The SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona is firmly advancing towards its mission:
to cure more children, and to cure them better, ensuring comprehensive care and the highest possible quality of life for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Support from founding partners such as Invest for children, together with ongoing contributions from donors, associations and foundations, enables the PCCB to expand its services, accelerate the development of new therapies, and strengthen its position as an international leader in paediatric oncology.
