Presentation of the Centre
Created in 1925, the Centre Baclesse in Caen has been carrying out a triple mission in oncology for nearly 100 years: treatment, teaching and research. The Centre Baclesse is a nonprofit private health car establishment of collective interest (ESPIC). As a public hospital service provider, the Centre Baclesse does not operate in the private sector or exceed fees and applies only standard rates. It is recognised as being of public utility and can receive tax-free donations and bequests. The Centre Baclesse is one of only 3 centres in France to offer protontherapy.
Main Research Activities
Sustained activity in both investigation and promotion, with more than 600 patients enrolled at the Centre François Baclesse in category 1 or 2 interventional trials. The clinical research department is labelled by French Health Ministry as Innovation and Research Department (DRCI), labelled by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) as an early stage cancer clinical trial centre (CLIP²).
The most important research programs in the Centre Baclesse include:
- Research in breast and ovarian cancers (organoids)
- New approaches in radiotherapy including preclinical, physical and clinical and quality of life studies focused on stereotactic radiation proton and Hadrontherapy
- Studies of quality of life and survivorships
- Epidemiology with an extensive program of the impact of pesticides
- Oncogenetics
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Core Facilities
Medical department:
- 170 beds (99 conventional and 71 day)
- Pharmacy: Personalized medical treatment including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and supportive cares; Centralised preparation chemotherapy preparation unit. Robotic production of anticancer drugs.
Surgery department :
- 50 beds (35 conventional and 15 outpatient)
- 6 operating rooms / intermediate care unit; minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted laparoscopy, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, innovative anaesthesia procedures; endoscopy & interventional endoscopy.
Medical-technical department :
- Radiotherapy: 6 accelerators : (1 x Cyberknife®- Accuray/ 1 x Tomotherapy®- Accuray / 2 x Rapid’Arc® /2 x Halcyon®-Varian) / 1 proton therapy unit : Proteus One®/ 1 x intraoperative radiotherapy (Intrabeam®) / Brachytherapy : High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Source Projector.
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: PET-CT / 3 gamma cameras / MRI / CT scan / mammography / breast biopsy device / interventional radiology
- Biopathology department: Cytopathology and molecular diagnosis, NF S 96-900 certified Biobank / Next generation sequencing / Bio-informatic platform, molecular genetic platform / Oncogenetics. Medical biology laboratory and pathology department accredited to ISO 15189:2022
ISO 9001 certified Clinical Research Unit, and ISO 9001 certified Data Management
Education
The teaching mission at the Centre Baclesse is reflected in multiple ways: tutoring, internships, membership in a doctoral school, courses and bibliography sessions, continuing professional training, conferences and webinars within the institution and also many contributions in university teaching (pedagogical responsibility for modules, courses, practical work, tutorials, examination jury). These courses are provided by many health professionals who are keen to pass on their skills and the specificity of oncological care. Scientific training and events are also an important lever for creating a link with all the region's healthcare stakeholders involved in the patient's journey. The continuing education organisation of the Centre Baclesse is Qualiopi certified.