History
The Oncology Center Antwerp was founded in 1988 as a joint Radiotherapy-Medical Oncology-Haematology Cancer Centre. In has become in this time span one of the largest Cancer Centres in Belgium. From its inception, a separate Palliative Care Unit was integrated within the boundaries of the centre. The Oncology Center Antwerp is part of an integrated cancer unit network: the Iridium Network, operating in the larger Antwerp region.
Profile
The Oncology Center Antwerp is located at sites in ZAS Augustinus and ZAS Palfijn. It employs, in addition to other staff, 37 full-time medical doctors: 16 medical oncologists, including 2 specialised in palliative care and 21 radiation oncologists. Our Cancer Centre includes 26 dedicated beds for Medical Oncology inpatients. The outpatient department includes 30 outpatient one-day beds. It includes a Certified Coordinated Breast Unit, a phase I unit, an active clinical trials programme and a translational cancer unit.
The radiotherapy department is the largest in Belgium. It includes 10 linear accelerators. The unit has pioneered stereotactic radiotherapy for intra- as well as extra-cranial primary tumours and Oligometastases. The unit has also 1 brachytherapy after loading machine. The most important indications are gynaecological (cervical as well as endometrial cancer) and skin applications.
In addition, the cancer centre includes 2 separate residential Palliative Care units encompassing 24 dedicated beds with an additional separated outpatient unit. The unit offers different types of residence including night-only and short stays. The pain clinic is integrated into our daily working as well as an extensive psychosocial support unit.
Specialities
- Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology with an emphasis on gynaecological (including breast), genitourinary and dermatological oncology.
Palliative and Supportive Care
With palliative care we improve the quality of life and the comfort of terminal illness with good control of pain and symptoms, psychological and spiritual support. This is a mission for all collaborators who are involved in care for the patients: physicians, nurses, paramedics and volunteers.
In our hospital we have a palliative support team, who stimulates and watches over this care. This team, in addition to nursing care, provides advice and support to improve the quality of life.
Last update: January 2025
