The medical study and treatment of oncological disease in Portugal dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.

On December 29, 1923, by Decree of the Ministry of Public Education, the Portuguese Institute for the Study of Cancer was created, then with provisional headquarters at Hospital Escolar de Santa Marta.

The political power thus recognized the health imperative of the study and treatment of cancer but also, the meritorious work that renowned names of Portuguese medicine were developing in this field. Among his most illustrious, Prof. Doctor Francisco Gentil, who sees one of the biggest dreams of his life come to fruition, when on December 29, 1927, the first IPO pavilion – the first Regional Center for the fight against cancer in Portugal – is inaugurated.

In Coimbra, three decades later, Prof. Doctor Luís Raposo is committed to the same cause, defending the creation of an anti-cancer center capable of responding to the population of the Center of the Country, which happened in 1953 with the acquisition of a small house – the first headquarters building of the Center of Coimbra of the IPO. After the necessary adaptation works, the Center started its activity in 1962 and, in 1977, it became independent in relation to Lisbon. It was the natural process of emancipating a structure, the growth of which had become essential.

From the small house acquired in 1953, to the present day, more than half a century has passed. Demolishing old structures and remodeling others, modernizing equipment and spaces, the institution has not stopped growing, faithful to its most noble commitment – the excellence of well caring for cancer patients.

Years later, a contiguous house would be acquired, making it possible, after demolition, to expand the surgery building, adding the current gynecology internment and the intermediate care unit.
The radiotherapy building, which has always been associated with the respective treatment and which is confused with the very beginning of the institution’s activity, has been the object, over the years, of several maintenance and restoration works, accompanied by a remarkable development of its technical “plateau”.

This effort to adapt the structure to the needs, has gained greater visibility in recent years and is guided, fundamentally, by three aspects:

• Expansion of the hospital “campus”;
• Growth in installed capacity;
• Improvement of well-being and comfort conditions.