News

Higher survival rate pancreatic cancer after minimally invasive surgery

22 December 2022

UZ Leuven doctors compared the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer after minimally invasive surgery versus classic open abdominal surgery. Their conclusion is clear: patients treated with minimally invasive surgery have a better longterm survival rate and are less likely to relapse.

New strategy improves diagnosis of ovarian cancer

15 December 2022

An international research group led by UZ Leuven, KU Leuven and Imperial College London developed a new strategy to classify ovarian tumors as benign or malignant. They validated the approach in nearly 5,000 patients at 17 centers worldwide and confirmed that it helps doctors determine the most appropriate treatment.

First patient with oesophageal cancer treated with proton therapy

14 December 2022

At the end of November, it was the first time a patient with oesophageal cancer was treated in Belgium. This was done in the Leuven proton therapy centre PARTICLE, as part of the first European phase 3 study on the potential benefits of proton irradiation in that type of cancer.

Anatomic barriers protect the brains against the coronavirus

12 December 2022

COVID-19 is often accompanied by partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. It was long thought that the coronavirus could reach and infect the brains via the nasal mucosa. However, an international research team, including UZ Leuven doctors has found no proof of that.

Higher temperature storage of donor lungs reduces tissue damage and avoids overnight transplants

8 December 2022

A transplant patient at UZ Leuven has successfully received new lungs that were stored at 6°C instead of on ice. By storing organs at a higher temperature, there is less tissue damage. In addition, it makes it possible to store donor lungs longer and avoids overnight transplants.

Walk-in centre Leuven offers a warm meeting place for people with cancer and their relatives

1 December 2022

If cancer crosses your or that of a loved one's path, you probably have a lot of emotions, questions and needs. In the walk-in centre people will lend you an ear. Whoever you are, whichever path you've taken, the door is always open. You're also welcome for additional informationd and support.

Robot reduces margin of error in deep brain stimulation

17 November 2022

Neurosurgeons at UZ Leuven have successfully performed deep brain stimulation with the help of a robot. The robot has a highly accurate and stable target arm, which assists the surgeon inserting the elektrodes and biopsy needles in the right direction and the correct depth in the brains.

Anaesthesia during pregnancy does not have impact on the child's development

27 October 2022

UZ Leuven doctors have examined whether exposure to anaesthesie during the pregnancy has an impact on the brain development of the baby. The results are reassuring: no significant link was detected.

Study tests innovative CAR-T cell therapy after kidney transplant

18 October 2022

On 27 September a UZ Leuven patient was the first to be given a type of CAR-T regulatory cell therapy after a kidney transplant. The aim is to prevent rejection of the donor kidney and to enable a reduction in classic anti-rejection medication.

New tool lets children talk about their cystinosis with confidence

14 October 2022

An online tool lets children with cystinosis talk freely about everything they feel and think about the metabolic disease they have. In a virtual environment they are given tips and tricks by a presentation coach.

Digital follow-up for first patients with hearing implants

27 September 2022

For the first time UZ Leuven doctors and audiologists are testing telemonitoring in patients that were given a cochlear implant for the treatment of their loss of hearing. A new app makes digital follow-up possible for patients. As a result they don't have to come to the hospital that often for check-ups.

First successful treatment of ALS in patients with SOD1 mutation

22 September 2022

A new international clinical trial with tofersen confirms that the drug can stop ALS in patients with a SOD1 mutation. With this doctors and researchers show for the first time that, in principle, ALS is a treatable disease. The results have been published in NEJM.