History
The Veneto Institute Oncologico Veneto (IOV) is a Comprehensive Cancer Centre established in 2005, in consortium with the Hospital of the University of Padua, School of Medicine. IOV offers preventive, curative and palliative services to the population and improves medical knowledge through translational research.
The IOV is part of the Italian network of Cancer Institutes (Alliance Against Cancer). In 2012 the IOV was accredited as an ESMO Designated Centre of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care. In 2013 it was also recognized as a Hub Center of the Oncology Network of the Veneto Region. Since May 2015 the IOV has also been recognized as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre by The European Organization of Cancer Institutes (OECI).
Profile
The mission of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology is to carry out diagnosis and treatment of solid tumours, limphomas and Mieloma in adult and senior patients, through multidisciplinary approaches involving surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, molecular biologists, geriatricians and different specialists. The principal aim is taking care of patients diagnosed with cancer, with special attention to all the needs of the person in order to have the best results for both cancer treatment and quality of life.
In this perspective, the effort of the Department is to guarantee integration of the clinical interventions, together with implementation of clinical and translational research in a multidisciplinary team, to allow patients to be treated with innovative anti-tumour therapies, as well as with supportive and palliative care. An important task of the Department is the training of oncology fellows, in the fields of basic and translational research, anti-tumour treatment, supportive and palliative care.
The Department (including two Medical Oncology Units) comprise a day hospital with 52 positions; a ward with 26 inpatient beds, including beds for palliative care and two isolation rooms for bone marrow transplantation. Medical oncology Units assist about 3,000 new cancer patients per year, they are involved in more than 90 national and international Phase I-III clinical trials. Palliative care service works closely with medical oncology staff.
Specialities
The IOV offers multidisciplinary care to patients within each of the core disease specific areas through comprehensive collaboration between our specialists and Surgery of the Hospital University of Padua. There are also several multidisciplinary weekly clinics: Osteo-oncology, Onco-geriatrics and Simultaneous Care. As a Hub center of coordination of oncology network of the Veneto Region, the IOV is strongly committed to the implementation of care pathways for each type of cancer, with the contribution of palliative team. In accordance with the directives of the Veneto Region, the Veneto Institute of Oncology guarantees also taking charge of cancer patients who require the use of innovative medicines with a high cost
The Institute includes four Departments:
- Clinical and Experimental Oncology Department: Medical Oncology Unit 1, Medical Oncology Unit 2, Molecular Diagnostics & Immunology Unit, Hereditary Cancer and Endocrinology Unit, Rare Cancers Unit, Melanoma and Esophageal Unit
- Surgical Oncology Department: Breast Unit, Melanoma & Sarcoma surgery, Surgery of the Esophagus Unit, Endoscopy Unit, Anesthesia and Resuscitation Unit
- Radiological Sciences and Medical Phsics Department:Radiology Unit, Radiotherapy Unit, Health Physical Unit, Nuclear Medicine Unit, Diagnostic Breast Unit, Interventional Radiology.
- General Health Services Department: Palliative Care Unit, Pharmacy Unit, Pathological Unit, Cardio-oncology Unit.
Palliative and Supportive Care
Oncologists and Palliative care specialists work closely, to offer simultaneous care to patient (and family) in all the phases of illness, staffed by an interdisciplinary team of specialists such as oncology surgeons, interventional radiologists, radiation therapists, anesthesiologists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, dieticians, spiritual care providers and administrative staff, all working together to respond to patients’ needs. The activities of the Palliative Care Unit are directed both in favour of outpatients and inpatients. The Palliative Care Unit is present in the Oncology Day Hospital, offering care, support and respite during the day to patients. The in-patient palliative care unit share with the oncology units the care program when the patients can be admitted for symptom management (physical or psychosocial), terminal care, and for deciding the most appropriate palliative care program. All the clinical nurses of medical Oncology Units are prepared to manage the physical and psychosocial needs of patients and their families. Medical Oncology is dedicated in assisting patients suffering from a life-limiting illness. Medical assistance and nursing care is provided 12h/day for 5 days at week, in collaboration with the Palliative Care Unit. During the week-end, patients can directly call the Oncology Unit ward where an oncologist is always present on call. Hospital admission can be provided anytime when needed.
Last update: December 2022
