BJMO - volume 18, issue 7, november 2024
L. Smets MSc, K. Haustermans MD, PhD, A. Wolthuis MD, PhD, G. Bislenghi MD, PhD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, L. Debrun BSc, G. de Hertogh MD, PhD, A. D’Hoore MD, PhD, R. Dresen MD, PhD, G. Rasschaert MD, X. Sagaert MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, F. van Herpe MD, J. Dekervel MD, PhD
The multidisciplinary management of rectal cancer is an evolving field, and these guidelines seek to offer direction for treating this condition. A tailored treatment approach should be based on a multi-disciplinary tumour board discussion taking into account tumour staging, patient performance status, and expectations. Patients with node-negative T1 rectal cancer can be managed by a local excision. In patients with early rectal cancer, primary surgery is the standard-of-care. In some of these patients, an organ-sparing approach by long-course chemoradiotherapy can be an alternative. A total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT)-approach consisting of a combination of (chemo)radiotherapy and chemotherapy is preferred for locally advanced disease.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2024;18(7):271–278)
Read moreBJMO - volume 14, issue 7, november 2020
S. Cappuyns MD, J. Dekervel MD, PhD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, C. Verslype MD, PhD
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, known for its dismal prognosis, is a disease that is challenging to treat. For almost a decade, sorafenib was the only available treatment. However, the last two to three years have witnessed a true revolution in systemic treatment options for this lethal disease. Several targeted therapies with mostly anti-angiogenic properties have been developed and immunotherapy has made its entrance into the field. Furthermore, a growing understanding of the molecular pathways involved in hepatocarcinogenesis and new insights in tumour-immunobiology have led to the development of rational combination therapies, showing very promising results in a myriad of ongoing clinical trials. Here we review the latest developments and discuss the main consequences for clinical practice.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(7):339-46)
Read moreBJMO - volume 13, issue 1, february 2019
Ir A. Hébrant PhD, Ir , A. Jouret-Mourin MD, PhD, G. Froyen PhD, J. Van der Meulen MD, M. De Man MD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, M. van den Eynde MD, PhD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, H.A. Poirel MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, J-L. van Laethem MD, PhD, K. Geboes MD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, B. Maes MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, J. Vanhuysse , P. Peeters MD, L. Vanacker MD, M. Gomez-Galdon , M. Chintinne MD, PhD, A. Hendlisz MD, PhD, G. de Hertogh MD, PhD, X. Sagaert MD, PhD, M. Peeters MD, PhD, P. Vannuffel , P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J. Vermeij , M. Simoens , T. Van den Mooter MD, N. van Damme PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD
The Belgian Commission of Personalized Medicine has been created to advise the federal government on all matters related to personalised medicine in oncology, including the reimbursement of molecular tests. Here, we propose the Belgian strategy for molecular testing in the digestive tumours within a scientific-based framework. For each tested biomarker, a clinical test level is attached, which is key to establish the relevance of the test and to define the reimbursement. For each digestive tumour type, the different molecular tests are represented as decision trees with its test utility, test level and a brief technical test description.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(1):4–10)
Read moreBJMO - volume 12, issue 6, october 2018
V. de Weerdt MD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD
Metastatic colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Tumours arising from different regions of the colon are clinically and molecularly distinct. The differing molecular characteristics translate into a differential clinical outcome with right-sided tumours displaying a worse prognosis compared to left-sided tumours. Besides the prognostic relevance of the primary tumour location, several retrospective analyses suggest that the primary tumour location may also be predictive of treatment benefit from targeted therapy with anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF directed agents in the first-line treatment of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018;12(6):271–274)
Read moreBJMO - volume 8, issue 2, may 2014
R. A. Popescu , R. Schäfer , R. Califano , R. Eckert , R. Coleman , J.-Y. Douillard , A. Cervantes , P. G. Casali , C. Sessa , E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, E. de Vries , N. Pavlidis MD, PhD, K. Fumasoli , B. Wörmann , H. Samonigg , S. Cascinu , J. J. Cruz Hernández , A. J. Howard , F. Ciardiello , R. A. Stahel , M. Piccart MD, PhD
The number of cancer patients in Europe is rising and significant advances in basic and applied cancer research are making the provision of optimal care more challenging. The concept of cancer as a systemic, highly heterogeneous and complex disease has increased the awareness that quality cancer care should be provided by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of highly qualified healthcare professionals. Cancer patients also have the right to benefit from medical progress by receiving optimal treatment from adequately trained and highly skilled medical professionals. Built on the highest standards of professional training and continuing medical education, medical oncology is recognised as an independent medical specialty in many European countries. Medical oncology is a core member of the MDT and offers cancer patients a comprehensive and systemic approach to treatment and care, while ensuring evidence-based, safe and cost-effective use of cancer drugs and preserving the quality of life of cancer patients through the entire ‘cancer journey’. Medical oncologists are also engaged in clinical and translational research to promote innovation and new therapies and they contribute to cancer diagnosis, prevention and research, making a difference for patients in a dynamic, stimulating professional environment. Medical oncologists play an important role in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and are also actively involved at the political level to ensure a maximum contribution of the profession to Society and to tackle future challenges. This position paper summarises the multifarious and vital contributions of medical oncology and medical oncologists to today’s and tomorrow’s professional cancer care.
Reprinted from Annals of Oncology 2014;25(1):9–15 with permission of Oxford University Press.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2014;8(2):30–7)
Read moreBJMO - volume 7, issue 1, february 2013
A. Awada MD, PhD, L. Annemans , D. Broeckx PharmD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD, S. Simoens , S. Van Belle MD, PhD, E. van Cutsem MD, PhD, E. Van Hoof PhD, MSc, J. De Grève MD, PhD
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2013;7:15–19)
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