Gastrointestinal cancer

Screening and prevention is the key to cure and to prevent cancer. Approximately 24% of all human cancers arise in the GI tract. Almost without exception, they are for long preceded by cancer precursors. These precursors can be used as target for screening, surveillance, as well as intervention. Important issues in screening and early detection that need further evaluation are risk stratification, improvements in diagnostic tests, and reducing the burden of screening both for patients and healthcare system.

The gastrointestinal cancer research, including esophageal, gastric and (hereditary) colon cancers, conducted by the SLO is diverse and includes the whole spectrum, from screening to palliation. Both fundamental, translational, and clinical research can be performed thanks to good collaboration with the Endoscopy department, Gastroenterology lab, Pathology department and many other departments within the Erasmus MC.

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In the studies conducted by the SLO we aim for:

• a better understanding who are at risk of gastrointestinal cancer development

• evaluation of new tools and technologies to improve gastrointestinal cancer care

• implement new tools, strategies, and technologies to reduce the burden for patients with gastrointestinal cancers