Presentation of the Centre

The Kortrijk Cancer Centre is part of the general hospital az groeninge. The centre is committed to provide holistic, high-quality and multidisciplinary cancer care and continuously adapting to meet the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. Az groeninge is a general hospital resulting out of a merger between 4 hospitals in the city of Kortrijk (Belgium) and it was the first general hospital in the BeNeLux to obtain JCI-accreditation in 2013. Since 2017, all activities are centralized in a single 1046 bed facility, ensuring patient-centered care.

Main Research Activities

The Cancer Centre offers a wide range of innovative techniques and specialized services, including systemic anti-cancer therapy units, radiation therapy, robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgery (da Vinci system), pancreatic cancer surgery programme, intra-hepatic treatment with radioactively labelled microspheres, lutetium-PSMA ligand therapy, abdominal HIPEC, functional MRI, and a PET-centre for West-Flanders. Furthermore, expertise in clinical pharmacology, anatomical pathology and NGS/molecular diagnostics plays a crucial role in personalized treatment strategies and precise diagnostics, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, patient-centered oncology care. The centre actively participates in phases 1 to 4 clinical trials through a dedicated clinical trial office, clinical research unit and involvement in cooperative groups such as EORTC. The cancer centre has the capacity and expertise to design clinical trials and az groeninge hosts a recognized Ethical Committee. The integrated care model ensures close collaborations with primary and secondary healthcare providers through the E17 Regional Hospital Network, covering South of West-Flanders & East Flanders, while our affiliation with the Flemish Hospital Network of the Leuven University Hospitals strengthens referral pathways for complex and rare cases. Strong partnerships with home care and nursing homes guarantee a transition between hospital and homes-based care.

Core Facilities

The current portfolio includes medical oncology, haematology, pneumo oncology, digestive oncology, head and neck oncology, surgery oncology, uro oncology, EUSOMA-accredited Breast Clinic, geriatric oncology, gynaecological oncology, neuro oncology and dermato oncology. Multidisciplinary oncology clinics are set up based on a group of main cancer diagnosis and have dedicated physicians, specialized nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide holistic care. There is a highly developed and integrated supportive care system, providing comprehensive services such as social counselling, psycho-oncology, nutritional support and spirituality and existential services care. In addition, the centre also integrates palliative and end-of-life care, supported by a dedicated palliative care team and unit, ensuring a compassionate and holistic approach to advanced disease management. Scalp cooling and hilotherapy, and the onco@home program further enhance patient support. Additionally, geriatric oncology, with comprehensive geriatric assessments, ensures tailored care for elderly patients. The cancer centre offers a range of supporting programmes to address the diverse needs of our patients: smoking cessation guidance, oncological rehabilitation, creative therapies, Care for AYA, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), facilities for children on the oncology ward and outside the hospital ‘Zibi’s Boomhut’. The dedicated patient advisory board plays an essential role in ensuring that patient feedback is integrated into the ongoing development of our services.

Education

The hospital and cancer centre actively participates in clinical education at different academic levels, including bachelor, master, postgraduate, and PhD program. Highly skilled healthcare professionals with strong clinical and professional leadership are essential to initiate and support innovation in healthcare, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining high-quality of care to enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes.