Presentation of the Centre

The University Hospital for Tumours, part of Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, is the only institution in Croatia providing prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support to patients with solid tumours with a multidisciplinarity and patient centred approach. All services are available at the cancer centre. On a yearly basis, the programs are revised in order to better suit patients’ expectations. The University Hospital for Tumours has preserved its policy of patient centred holistic cancer care.

Main Research Activities

The research focuses on application of relevant translational data. Due to the high volume of breast cancer and rectal cancer pathology, the research is focused on patient stratification according to markers predicting the response to therapy in these two areas with stressing hereditary components. Alongside interventional clinical trials, academic focus is on quality of life, nutritional, psychological aspects and effects of prehabilitation. Through collaboration with Academies of Fine Arts, Drama and Music, the hospital opened another stream of qualitative studies of art mediated support care.

Core Facilities

The University Hospital for Tumours provides diagnostics and high risk surveillance services, surgery, radiotherapy and oncological treatment, palliative, nutritional and psychological support, rehabilitation and reintegration services. Though there is an experimental department, most of our research is conducted in collaboration or partnership with Croatian or European Institutions or within consortia. 

Education

University Hospital for Tumours is an educational site for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy and Biochemistry. The faculty members of our staff are involved in postdoctoral studies and mentoring in basic, translational and clinical cancer research.

Presentation of the Centre

Koalicija udruga u zdravstvu KUZ is a non-governmental, non-for-profit national Alliance (umbrella patient organization) of patient organizations in the Republic of Croatia. It was founded in 2004., with main goals in promotion of the active role of patients in healthcare, promotion of patients’ rights and obligations in the healthcare system, and active participation of patients in health public policies. KUZ now has 39 member associations, of which 3 are national Alliances (MS, rare diseases, diabetes). In 2016, KUZ formed the informal platform of cancer patient organizations Onkologija.hr, and started the process of bringing and adopting the first Croatian National Cancer Plan. Through the Onkologija.hr, 18 cancer patient representatives were included in the making of the National Cancer Plan, which was finally adopted by the Croatian Parliament in 2020. Kuz was also working with the Mission on Cancer by the European Commission, with organizing the focus group of cancer patients in which the patient experience and quality of life was stressed, and included in the European Beating Cancer Plan. KUZ is a member of European Patient Forum, From Testing to Targeted Treatments Alliance (FT3 Alliance), European Lung Foundation, and was working with EFPIA on the EU-X-CT program (European Cross-border Clinical Trials). KUZ has long lasting collaborations with professional societies, patient organizations, pharma industry and other healthcare stakeholders, both on the national and European and international level.

Main Research Activities

In 2019, in collaboration with cancer patient organizations from 12 Central and Eastern Europe countries and Medical School in Zagreb KUZ developed and conducted a survey on patient relevant outcomes in cancer care in 12 languages in 12 countries, with more than 16.500 participants. On the national level, KUZ conducted several surveys on patient experience in cancer care, understanding of precision medicine, and experience of participation in clinical trials.

Core Facilities

KUZ has an office on the address Ulica kneza Trpimira 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, with 60 square meters, from which it operates.