Peritoneal Cancer Institute: an international benchmark in peritoneal cancer surgery

The Peritoneal Cancer Institute (PCI), thanks to its extensive experience, clinical outcomes and proven ability to manage highly complex cases, has established itself as one of the world’s leading reference centres for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Our impact is not limited to Spain. PCI’s reach is international: both our patients and many of the specialists on our team come from different parts of the world. 

Patients from 29 countries place their trust in PCI

Every year, PCI at Centro Médico Teknon treats patients who live in Spain as well as many others who travel from abroad. In 2025, for example, PCI physicians received enquiries from people in 30 different countries.

Among the main places of origin are patients from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Romania, Portugal and Australia. In many cases, they are seeking a second opinion or advanced therapeutic alternatives that are not available in their home countries.

These figures highlight both the international prestige of PCI’s multidisciplinary team and the trust placed in our physicians by patients who travel thousands of kilometres in search of innovative treatments. This personalized approach allows the medical team to choose the best possible intervention, whether that is CRS + HIPEC, PIPAC or systemic chemotherapy.

Specialised care for international patients

The growing number of patients coming from outside of Spain has led us to develop a care model specifically designed for people who travel long distances for treatment. One of the key elements that facilitates this process is the linguistic diversity of the team, which can communicate in Spanish, English, Italian, Croatian, French, Catalan, Russian and Ukrainian. This ensures that the first consultation, whether in person or via online assessment, is clear and free of language barriers.

When an additional language is required, the unit works with professional translators or assisted interpretation systems to guarantee that the patient and their family receive all information accurately. In addition, the International Department at Centro Médico Teknon complements this support by providing administrative and logistical assistance.

This support includes help with visas, coordination of procedures with the relevant embassies, information on accommodation options for relatives and assistance with the management of international health insurance. Although many patients organise their trip independently, there is a team available to advise them if needed.

Ultimately, PCI’s approach is clear: every patient deserves personalised, compassionate and understanding care. The goal is that, from the first contact through to long term follow up, each person feels supported and fully informed.

Scientific and training collaborations that cross borders

PCI’s international prestige is reflected not only in the arrival of patients, but also in its role as a training centre for specialists from other countries. In recent years, more than 30 international groups have visited the unit to train in:

• Cytoreductive surgery techniques.
• HIPEC administration.
• Comprehensive management of patients with peritoneal disease.
• Decision making in highly complex clinical scenarios.

The recent appointment of Dr Domenico Sabia as an official mentor of the European School of Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery (ESSO) further strengthens this educational role. This distinction recognises professionals with outstanding experience and teaching ability within the European community and positions PCI as one of the internationally accredited centres for structured training in this field.

At PCI, we actively participate in international scientific projects in collaboration with leading centres in Manchester, Milan and other European hospitals. These studies, focused on the genetics and molecular biology of peritoneal tumours, are helping to drive progress towards increasingly personalised treatments, a key strategic direction in modern surgical oncology.