History
The roots of oncologic therapies at the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital (LUKS) trace back to the 1980s when the institution established its Radiooncology and Medical Oncology Divisions. After years of constant development and expansion as well as steady progress of both departments a Cancer Centre was established in 2012. In 2014 the Cancer Centre was certified by the German Cancer Society. The Cancer Centre's commitment to excellence has led to ongoing successful recertifications.
Profile
The Cancer Centre offers comprehensive care with a multifaceted approach to the challenges of malignant tumours. The following divisions and departments contribute to the success of the whole Cancer Centre:
- Medical Oncology including Palliative Care
- Radiooncology
- Haematology & Haematooncology
- Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
- Pathology
- Gynaecologic Oncology
- Surgical Departments: visceral, urologic, head-and-neck, thoracic, neuro, orthopaedic & sarcoma surgery
- Dermatology
- Additional Supportive Services: psychooncology, pain therapy, pastoral care, nutrition-al counselling and therapy, physical therapy, social work, stoma counselling, medical ethicists, speech therapy & phoniatrics. Beyond its walls, the Cancer Centre extends its reach, fostering collaborations with external providers. Engagements with entities such as the Swiss Cancer League, hospices, and mobile nursing teams reinforce the Centre's commitment to comprehensive care. The Cancer Centre participates in clinical trials organised by national and international cooperative clinical research groups (e.g. SAKK, ETOP-IBCSG Partners).
Specialities
The Cancer Centre's expertise spans across various domains of oncology:
- Breast Cancer & Gynaecologic Tumours: Navigating the complexities of breast cancer and gynaecologic malignancies with a patient-centred approach.
- Gastrointestinal Surgery: Covering upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, to address cancers affecting the digestive system.
- Lymphomas & Leukemias: Pioneering advancements in the treatment of lymphomas and leukaemia.
- Urological Tumours: Employing specialised strategies to combat urological malignancies.
- Head & Neck Cancer: Offering multidisciplinary interventions for comprehensive care, including thyroid cancer.
- Skin Tumours: Addressing skin-related cancers and fostering early detection.
- Thorax & Lung Tumours: Leading the charge against thoracic and lung malignancies.
- Sarcomas: Tackling the unique challenges of sarcomas, ensuring tailored treatment plans.
- Brain Tumours: Multidisciplinary approach to enable optimal treatment and functional outcome
Palliative and Supportive Care
The Centre's commitment to comprehensive care is most evident in its palliative and supportive care initiatives. These include inpatient and outpatient specialised palliative care services, consultation services and outpatient counselling. The Centre is intertwined with the regional palliative care network, collaborating with mobile nursing teams and hospices. A noteworthy achievement is the establishment of a certificate course (CAS) for education in palliative care in 2019 in collaboration with the University of Lucerne. This initiative aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills required to provide compassionate and effective palliative care.
In conclusion, the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital Cancer Centre strives to stand as an example of excellence in oncology and palliative care, emphasising a patient-centred approach to cancer and palliative care.
Last update: August 2023
