News

Interactive e-learning helps chronically ill children and youngsters on the road from paediatric to adult care

27 February 2023

The paediatric departments of UZ Leuven launch the interactive tool ‘Onderweg: transitie binnen kindergeneeskunde’ for chronically ill children and younsters and their parents. The 4 e-learnings with tips, information and personal stories offer extra support in the run-up to the step from paediatric to adult care.

'Lichtpuntjes tegen kanker' at UZ Leuven

22 February 2023

In the 'Lichtpuntjes tegen Kanker' series on Eén, Siska Schoeters' mobile studio also made a stop at UZ Leuven. Patients Jordi (17) and Britt (15) talk about their proton therapy treatment and you get a behind-the-scenes look of the proton therapy centre PARTICLE.

100,000 euro for relief agencies Turkey and Syria

10 February 2023

Everyone at UZ Leuven is deeply affected by the human suffering caused by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The hospital has therefore decided to donate 100,000 euro for humanitarian aid to the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders.

Treatment against side-effects of chemotherapy now reimbursed

6 February 2023

For certain types of chemotherapy, scalp cooling and hand-foot cooling can limit or even prevent side effects such as hair loss and nerve damage. UZ Leuven and Think Pink have requested NIHDI to invest in accessible care. And succesfully so: as 1 January 2023 these costs are being reimbursed.

Cardiology papers from UZ Leuven doctors among the world's top 10

2 February 2023

Every year the leading European Heart Journal selects the top 10 of best scienctific publications in cardiology of the past year. This year the top 10 includes two papers that UZ Leuven doctors collaborated on: prof. dr. Lucas Van Aelst and prof. dr. Christophe Vandenbriele.

Plexus hospital network the first in Flanders to get approval for a regional care-strategic plan

24 January 2023

The Flemish government has given its approval for the regional care-strategic plan of the hospital netwerk Plexus, a collaboration between AZ Diest, Heilig Hart Leuven, RZ Tienen and UZ Leuven.

New gene therapy for congenital blindness

13 January 2023

The first gene therapy for hereditary retinal disease, voretigene neparvovec or Luxturna, has recently been approved for use. UZ Leuven doctors have treated a first patient with this new type of gene therapy. If diagnosed in time, Luxturna can prevent further progression of the disorder.

Roadworks on the Gasthuisberg campus: local one-way traffic

10 January 2023

For cars and buses there is one-way traffic between the Het Teken roundabout and Berg Taborweg from Monday 16 May to the construction leave in July. All destinations on campus remain accessible.

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.