Graacc - Grupo De Apoio Ao Adolescente E Crianca Com Cancer Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

GRAACC (Grupo de Apoio ao Adolescente e à Criança com Câncer) is a specialized pediatric oncology hospital established in 1991, with its hospital facility inaugurated in 1998. The institution is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in patients up to 18 years old, offering a comprehensive range of services for various pediatric cancers, including leukemias, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, and retinoblastoma.

The hospital provides multidisciplinary care through a team of oncologists, surgeons, therapists, and educators. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgeries, bone marrow transplants, genetic investigations, and specialized procedures such as intra-arterial chemotherapy for ocular tumors. GRAACC also offers services in nutrology and ophthalmology, supporting the diverse needs of its patient population.

GRAACC operates across two hospital units, covering more than 8,000 m², and features a range of facilities designed for pediatric oncology care. The infrastructure includes 23 shared and private inpatient rooms, 30 suites for bone marrow transplant patients, and a dedicated pediatric oncology unit with 12 beds. Advanced medical equipment, such as MRI technology, supports diagnostic and therapeutic services, while the Bone Marrow Transplant Center and radiotherapy service have been established for over two decades and five years, respectively.

Patient and family support is integrated into the hospital’s model of care. Facilities include playrooms, family support spaces, and support houses that provide accommodation and psychosocial, nutritional, educational, and emotional assistance. Volunteer programs and partnerships with external organizations further extend these support services.

GRAACC’s clinical team is composed of specialists in fields relevant to pediatric oncology, including nutrology, ophthalmology, infectology, nuclear medicine, neurocirurgery, neurology, oncopediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, and psychiatry. The staff also includes physiotherapists, nutritionists, speech therapists, psychologists, nurses, occupational therapists, and educators. On-call physicians ensure continuous care for patients.

The hospital’s approach emphasizes integrated and segmented care tailored to specific tumor types, supported by professionals trained in pediatric oncology. GRAACC maintains a multidisciplinary residency program in pediatric oncology, funded by the Ministry of Education, and has contributed to the training of professionals in nutrition, speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, nursing, and pediatric oncology.

Collaboration with UNIFESP enhances the technical and scientific expertise of the team, supporting research and the development of new therapeutic protocols. GRAACC also maintains one of the largest biobanks in the world, with over 11,000 tumor samples from 6,000 patients collected over 18 years, facilitating advanced research and collaboration in pediatric oncology.

Significant milestones in the hospital’s development include the inauguration of the Casa Ronald McDonald support house in 2007, certification for unrelated bone marrow transplants in 2008, and designation as a High Complexity Oncology Unit for pediatrics in 2012. Between 2019 and 2023, the hospital expanded its capacity with new inpatient beds, a private chemotherapy wing, and an intensive care unit. GRAACC has held Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation since 2017, with reaccreditation in 2023.

The institution’s mission is to provide advanced pediatric oncology treatment, focusing on maximizing cure rates and quality of life for children and adolescents with cancer. GRAACC is also engaged in research, education, and social initiatives, supported by partnerships and donors.